This week, Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) traveled to Israel with a bipartisan congressional delegation and delivered an affectionate address to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, that received warm and enthusiastic standing ovations. Mr. McCarthy in his speech commented that “this is my very first trip overseas as a US House Speaker…I speak to you as a lifelong supporter and true friend of Israel.” The contents historic speech had a reaffirmation of the special relationship between Israel and the United States, a denouncement of Iranian aggression in the region, and a warning about the growing Chinese threat.
Mr. McCarthy responded to questions from Just the News by emphasizing that the relationship between the two countries was strengthened under former President Donald J. Trump. He commented that if President Joe Biden would not invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the United States that he as Speaker would. He further said that the bipartisan congressional delegation “feel stronger today [about Israel]. And I think it will be stronger tomorrow.” Just the News noted that the last House Speaker to address the Knesset was Newt Gingrich (R-GA) back in 1998.
The Speaker posted his own speech to Twitter alongside his commentary. He wrote “For three quarters of a century, Israel has been a beacon of freedom, progress, and democracy. After 75 years of friendship between the US and Israel, I know this to be true: the best days for Israel—and our unbreakable bond—are ahead of us.”
For three quarters of a century, Israel has been a beacon of freedom, progress, and democracy. After 75 years of friendship between the US and Israel, I know this to be true: the best days for Israel—and our unbreakable bond—are ahead of us. https://t.co/8OAJydatoO
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) May 1, 2023
In another tweet, he quoted a clip of his speech “America is grateful for our friendship with Israel. We are a better nation because of it. And we must never shy away from defending it. I believe the best days for Israel – and our unbreakable bond – are ahead of us.”
America is grateful for our friendship with Israel. We are a better nation because of it. And we must never shy away from defending it.
I believe the best days for Israel – and our unbreakable bond – are ahead of us. pic.twitter.com/ZI726wo0kH
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) May 1, 2023
He also pledged in a tweet that “I want Congress and the Knesset to work together as closely as possible. That’s why I’ll establish a House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group – so we can continue to strengthen our bonds, build mutual understanding as elected representatives, and work better together.”
I want Congress and the Knesset to work together as closely as possible.
That's why I'll establish a House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group – so we can continue to strengthen our bonds, build mutual understanding as elected representatives, and work better together. pic.twitter.com/KdEFtsvd7V
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) May 1, 2023
Other members of the congressional delegation appeared to take a similar friendly attitude toward the world’s only Jewish state. Representative Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY) tweeted that “The bond between the United States and Israel is unbreakable and truly remarkable. Yesterday, I had the honor of visiting and placing a note in the Western Wall, one of the last remaining segments of the Temple Mount — a moving experience and one I will not soon forget.”
Representative Bruce Westerman (R-AR) wrote that “The US and Israel share a special relationship, and what an honor it is to visit with @SpeakerMcCarthy and a bipartisan Congressional Delegation for the 75th anniversary of our ally’s independence.”
Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD) also took the Knesset podium to proclaim that “I share the speaker’s view” and issued a statement about Israel’s Independence Day.
The influence between Israelis and America dates back long before the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948. Americans, many of whom are Christian, are raised on stories from the Hebrew Bible. Religious sentiments played a role in the American Revolution. The second president of the United States and signer of the American Declaration of Independence, John Adams, proclaimed in an 1819 letter, “I really wish the Jews again in Judea an independent nation.”
The Founding Father’s wish would be granted in 1948. Even then during the Israeli Declaration of Independence ceremony, one of the participants, Golda Meir, recalled that “I had associations from my childhood in America. We learned in school about the [American] Declaration of Independence. Over there every child knows the preamble by heart and knows of the great men who signed it. And here I am signing the [Israeli] declaration of independence.”
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