Senator Kirk Welcomes Netanyahu Remarks on Threats Posed by ISIS, Iran

CHICAGO, IL – U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) released the following statement welcoming the upcoming remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before a joint session of Congress on the threats posed by ISIS and Iran to both the U.S. and Israel:

“The civilized world faces unprecedented threats not only from mass-murdering Islamic State terrorists, but also from a terror-sponsoring Iranian regime seeking nuclear weapons. A nuclear Iran will further destabilize the Middle East, lead more countries to get nuclear weapons and directly threaten the survival of Israel.

“These are serious issues at a critical juncture in history, and further demonstrate how important it is for America to stand by its best allies and work to build trust among nations that share the values of the West. For that reason, I have grown increasingly concerned about the partisan nature of the conversation surrounding Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to the United States and address to the Congress.

“This is not a time for gamesmanship. Congress should warmly welcome Prime Minister Netanyahu and take his remarks very seriously. As a member of the United States Senate and representative of the State of Illinois, I look forward to welcoming Israel’s elected leader, listening to what he has to say and encouraging all my colleagues – irrespective of political affiliation – to do the same.”