Menendez Calls on Tillerson to Visit Israel Following Iranian Attack, Amidst Growing Violence in Middle East

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Monday calling on Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to visit Israel while he is in the Middle East:

“Secretary Tillerson must immediately add Israel, our major strategic partner, to his trip in the region this week.  As violence continues to escalate throughout the Middle East, the United States must make it abundantly clear to our allies and our adversaries that we stand with Israel in the face of Iranian aggression and escalation. To omit a stop in Israel after Iran’s escalation last week would be nothing short of diplomatic malpractice and strategic folly.

“Iran’s launch of a drone into Israeli airspace from Syria, resulting in the loss of an Israeli F-16 fighter, signifies a paradigm shift in the dynamics of this regional conflict, and American diplomacy must reflect this reality.

“The evolution of these threats on all borders necessitate immediate, high-level engagement and actions to show our ironclad commitment to our allies. A visit from Secretary Tillerson would send a critical signal, while we in Congress will continue to work together, as we always have, to ensure robust funding to support Israel’s security and to support its efforts to confront threats on every border.”