Cohen Travels to Israel, West Bank, Egypt on Fact-Finding Mission
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) is leading a fact-finding mission in Israel, the West Bank and Egypt and meeting with foreign leaders to discuss Mideast peace efforts. The Memphis Congressman, who was recently appointed to the Helsinki Commission (Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe) which includes Egypt and Israel as OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Cooperation, was encouraged to visit the region by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-8), who appointed him to the Commission. Congressman Cohen is travelling with Representatives Sam Farr (D-CA-17), Betty McCollum (D-MN-4), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA-6), and John Yarmuth (D-KY-3).
“This fact-finding mission is enlightening and has offered opportunities for dialogue. For me, those discussions have reinforced that peace in the Mideast is possible,” said Congressman Cohen. “I am advocating for peace negotiations everywhere I go and sense that our delegation’s mission is resonating with leaders. I am also calling for the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who was captured by Hamas in 2006. We’ve made progress on that front and I am hopeful Corporal Shalit will be reunited with his family soon.
“We have a great opportunity to move forward in the peace process right now because of the recent Arab Spring and the general mood for democracy in the Middle East, consideration of the upcoming United Nations Resolution for Palestinian statehood, and the strong leadership of Mahmoud Abbas and Salam Fayyad in the West Bank. A two state solution would bring peace to the region by giving Israel the security it needs and assuring it will remain a Jewish nation, the Palestinians the self-determination and opportunity they want and need, and the prosperity and safety everyone in the region craves.”
The trip is focused on a wide variety of topics including overall peace in the Mideast, border concerns, the acceptance of Israel as a Jewish state, the right of return for Palestinians, control of Jerusalem city and shrines, the Palestinian Authority’s military forces, and Israeli defense at the Jordan River.
The Congressman arrived in Cairo, Egypt, last Saturday. While in Egypt, the Congressman met with U.S Ambassador Margaret Scobey (a Memphian), Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Elaraby, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Amr Moussa, Acting president Mohamed Tantawi, Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, April 6th Revolution leaders, and business and humanitarian leaders.
While in Egypt, the Congressman participated in briefings and meetings addressing current affairs in Egypt and the major regional issues taking place there; perspectives on recent changes and developments in the region; how recent developments in Egypt affect Egyptian foreign policy, particularly the U.S. and Arab-Israeli peace process; the Arab Peace Initiative and the current status of regional comprehensive peace; perspectives from youth leaders and their analysis of Egyptian public opinion; the political climate in Egypt and upcoming elections; and the socioeconomic situation in the region.
On Monday, Congressman Cohen traveled to Israel to meet with U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham, Opposition Leader Tzipi Livni, U.S. Security Coordinator Lt. Gen Michael Moeller, and Speaker of the Knesset Reuven Rivlin and other members of the Knesset. Congressman Cohen and the delegation were publicly recognized from the floor of Israel’s Knesset for their steadfast support of Israel. The Congressman also visited Ramallah to meet members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Palestinian Foreign Minister Rayah al-Malki, and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.
While in Israel and the West Bank, the Congressman participated in briefings and meetings addressing current U.S.-Israeli relations; the Israeli government perspective on the status of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process; the overview of the Israeli Parliamentary system and its role in the peace process; and U.S.-Palestinian Authority security forces development and Palestinian-Israeli Security coordination efforts. The Congressman also took a settlement and outpost tour for a first-hand look at the on-the-ground manifestation of settlement expansion and outpost development and its impact on Palestinian communities and the effect these settlements might have on creating borders for a Palestinian state. He also toured Tsur Hadassah, a communal settlement in central Israel, and was interviewed by one of Jerusalem’s leading television news shows that will air on Saturday.
The Congressman also visited with Israeli citizen activists and grandmothers involved in checkpoint oversight who are concerned about their children and grandchildren in wars, a group of military and civilian leaders concerned about the hard-line approach of the present government and what they feel are impending problems for Israel, and experts on Jerusalem espousing the need for some sort of agreement that allows all religious groups access to and influence over the Holy City.
For the remainder of the week, the Congressman will continue to meet with dignitaries, humanitarian groups, community activists and settlers to discuss the issues important to the region, and visit local sites, including the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum. Congressman Cohen returns to Memphis this upcoming Saturday.