WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) strongly criticized President Obama’s speech today in which the president called for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal based on Israel’s pre-1967 borders.
“I am extremely disappointed with President Obama’s speech,” Sen. Toomey said. “The president’s reference to pre-1967 borders as the basis for peace undermines our ally Israel’s negotiating position, demonstrates insensitivity to the security threats Israel faces on a daily basis and ignores the historical context that has shaped the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for more than 60 years.
“More than 40 years ago, Israel’s Arab neighbors joined together in an attempt to wipe the Jewish state off the map. After Israel defeated its enemies in six days in 1967, its Arab neighbors refused to recognize Israel’s right to exist and some continue to wage war against the Jewish state to this day. After 60 years of defending itself against aggression and brutal acts of terror, Israel deserves the right, at the very least, to maintain borders that will ensure its security.”