Jerusalem – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and a bipartisan delegation arrived in Israel today and met with Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu to discuss U.S.-Israel relations and regional security issues.  Leader Pelosi issued the following statement this evening:

"Our bipartisan delegation was pleased to arrive in Israel to observe the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel.

"Our first meeting was with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who will visit Washington later this month.  The delegation appreciated hearing the Prime Minister’s views and told him we look forward to his thoughts on how to move the peace process at this critical point in Middle East history when he addresses a Joint Meeting of the Congress later this month. 

"Our delegation gathered together at nightfall to observe the beginning of Israel's Memorial Day.  On this day, we remember all of the Israeli sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, who have gone to war and never come home.  And we remember all of the victims of terror lost in acts of violence."

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In addition to Democratic Leader Pelosi, the members of the delegation are:
•         Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD)
•         Congressman George Miller (D-CA)
•         Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA)
•         Congressman Nick Rahall (D-WV)
•         Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA)
•         Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
•         Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY)
•         Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA)

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