(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
 
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted the invitation sent by Speaker John Boehner , on behalf of the bipartisan leadership of the House of Representatives and the Senate, to address a joint meeting of Congress. The Prime Minister is expected to arrive in the USA at the beginning of March and will also participate in the AIPAC Policy Conference. The address will provide an opportunity for the Prime Minister to thank President Obama, the US Congress and the American people for their support of Israel.
 
Prime Minister Netanyahu:
 
"I am honored by this invitation, which reflects the special friendship shared by Israel and the United States as well as the strong bipartisan support for Israel across America.
 
Just last week I discussed with President Obama the common challenges we face from Islamist extremism, including resurgent terrorism and Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons.
 
I look forward to being able to share with the joint session Israel's vision for working together to address these threats and to reiterate Israel's commitment to the bond that unites our two democracies."