(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)
 
President Reuven Rivlin this morning (Wednesday 5 August 2015) hosted at his residence, a delegation, arranged by AIPAC, of Democrat members of the United States Congress, led by House Minority Whip, Rep Steny Hoyer (D-MD).
 
President Rivlin began by welcoming the delegation to Israel, and said, "I very much appreciate your visit to Israel at this time, and would like to extend a warm welcome to Jerusalem to all of you, friends of Israel. Your visit is yet another link in the long and unbreakable chain tying together the US and the State of Israel. ‘Friendship for Israel,’ said President Kennedy, ‘is not a partisan matter. It is a national commitment.’ We stand together in a partnership established on the strong foundations of common values and a shared vision, rooted in the long-standing commitment to democracy, liberal values, and human rights for each and every citizen."
 
The President stressed, "These are not just slogans. The shared values of democracy and equality play a part in daily life, whether we are passing legislation, sending our children to school, or just walking down the street. For us in Israel, we strive each and every day, to achieve our goal of a Jewish, democratic state. Democratic and Jewish. Where the historic traditions and values of the Jewish people, and the individual rights of each and every citizen of this land, are protected and safeguarded."
 
The President went on to speak about the citizens of Israel's concern over the Iranian nuclear deal.  He said, "Along with Israelis on all sides of the political spectrum; I am deeply concerned about the recent nuclear deal signed with Iran. The current Iranian regime, acts with a dangerous combination of aggressiveness, fundamentalism, and state sponsored terrorism, threatening - even without nuclear weapons - freedom and democracy in this region and around the world. We fear that this agreement is a first step in the legitimization of Iran's policies and strategies, and only acts to further destabilize a chaotic region."
 
He went on to stress that, "However, this deal alone does not leave Israel defenseless. As a strong democratic country in the region, Israel can, and will do, all that is necessary to defend itself. In this crucial time, we know that Israel does not stand alone. Our allies - and specifically the US - are a strategic cornerstone for us. The US-Israel relationship has known ups and downs. We must not be alarmed by disagreements when they come up. Whatever Congress decides, it will be your decision as representatives of the American people. We, as your allies and partners, must make sure that whatever the result of this vote, our strategic alliance stands, and grows even stronger."
 
Leader of the delegation, Rep. Steny Hoyer thanked the President for his warm welcome and said, "Mr. President, as you know we come to Israel not simply to learn the present day facts, the politics, and the strategic and security issues that we must all focus on, but also as a reaffirmation of the unbreakable bond that exists between Israel and the United States of America. We come to reaffirm that bond, even though there may be differences of opinion today between our leaders on issues of great importance to not only our two countries, but to this region and the entire world. We think it is critical now more than ever to let it be known by those who would undermine democracies, those that would undermine free peoples, that we are united and not divided."

He went on to note "Mr. President, you have recently shown great leadership, especially as your country endured two tragic incidents perpetrated by Jews against other Jews in one instance and Palestinians in the other. You did not hesitate to speak up and speak out, to affirm the values that we hold dear. Once again we in the United States are pleased that Israel has as its president a man of character, of vision, and of commitment to the ideals that make our countries strong."