REP. MIKE THOMPSON STATEMENT ON INTEL COMMITTEE TRIP TO ISRAEL AND PALESTINE
February 20, 2013
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05), a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), today released the statement below following a HPSCI trip to Israel and Palestine.
“With the President coming to Israel next month, this is an important time for the region. Our relationship with Israel is as strong as it has ever been. There is unprecedented transparency, information sharing and cooperation between both nations.
“Also, our relationship with the Palestinians has never been better than it is now. Palestinian officials continue to show a genuine commitment to a counter-terrorism strategy and they have shown to be a professional and reliable protector of regional stability.
“The Palestinians and Israelis are building a productive professional relationship on common security issues. People on both sides of the border want a stable region and I am confident that given the strong state of our relationships with Israel and the Palestinians we can take meaningful steps that enhance regional stability and improve regional security.”
Thompson met with Israeli National Security Advisor Yaakov Amidror, Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Salam Fayyad and Interior Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Said Abu-Ali. Thompson also met with Israeli and Palestinian intelligence officers to gain perspective and assessment of the security environment from officials in the field.
The meetings took place in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Ramallah from February 16th - 18th.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
“With the President coming to Israel next month, this is an important time for the region. Our relationship with Israel is as strong as it has ever been. There is unprecedented transparency, information sharing and cooperation between both nations.
“Also, our relationship with the Palestinians has never been better than it is now. Palestinian officials continue to show a genuine commitment to a counter-terrorism strategy and they have shown to be a professional and reliable protector of regional stability.
“The Palestinians and Israelis are building a productive professional relationship on common security issues. People on both sides of the border want a stable region and I am confident that given the strong state of our relationships with Israel and the Palestinians we can take meaningful steps that enhance regional stability and improve regional security.”
Thompson met with Israeli National Security Advisor Yaakov Amidror, Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Salam Fayyad and Interior Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Said Abu-Ali. Thompson also met with Israeli and Palestinian intelligence officers to gain perspective and assessment of the security environment from officials in the field.
The meetings took place in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Ramallah from February 16th - 18th.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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