Prime Minister Netanyahu on the UN resolution: "A distorted and despicable decision, will not bind the Israeli government" (Walla system)
American Senator Jackie Rosen made it clear to officials in the Israeli government that she is not interested in a delegation of Democratic and Republican senators headed by her, and that she will arrive in Israel today (Tuesday) and meet with representatives of the far-right parties - Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit, according to two senior Israeli officials and a source American.
why is it important
This is the first time since the formation of the new government that a message has been conveyed by American officials that they refuse to meet representatives of two of the coalition parties.
Rosen, a Democratic senator from the state of Nevada, is a supporter of Israel and has passed many pro-Israel laws in Congress over the years.
made it clear to Israel that the delegation led by her would not meet with representatives of the extreme right.
Rosen (Photo: Courtesy of those photographed, the website of the American Congress)
in the news center
The delegation of senators, which Rosen leads together with the Republican senator from the state of Oklahoma James Lankford, consists of legislators who are part of the lobby for the Abraham Accords in the US Senate.
The lobby was established at the same time as an identical lobby in the Knesset with the aim of promoting normalization between Israel and the Arab world.
Israel is the last stop on the US senators' visit to the Middle East, after Morocco, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
Four Democratic and three Republican senators participate in the delegation.
Members of the delegation are expected to meet tomorrow with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and later also with Knesset Speaker Ohana, opposition leader Lapid and members of the lobby for the Abraham Accords in the Knesset.
Behind the Scenes
Senior Israeli officials said that prior to the visit, Rosen and the members of her team who worked on the preparation of the schedule, made it clear that they were not interested in having members of Itamar Ben Gabir's Otzma Yehudit Party and Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionist Party participate in meetings with them, especially in the Knesset.
"It was Senator Rosen's request not to meet with members of the two far-right parties," said Lavala!
Source in the Democratic Senator's office.
Senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem said that the delegation of senators is not expected to meet representatives of the extreme days parties.
Rosen passed many pro-Israel laws in the US Congress.
The US Capitol Building (Photo: AP)
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The big picture
In recent months, senior American officials have expressed concern over the fact that Ben-Gvir and Smotrich will be members of the government led by Netanyahu.
American pressure contributed to the fact that Smotrich did not receive the security portfolio.
US Ambassador to Israel Tom Neides has been asked several times since the election whether he will meet with Finance Minister Smotrich and National Security Minister Ben Gabir. He evaded and replied that he would work with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
A few weeks before the elections, a delegation of American senators led by Democratic Senator Robert Menendez and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham met with Netanyahu and expressed concern about the participation of Ben Gabir and Smotrich in the government.
Senator Menendez told Netanyahu that forming a government with extreme right-wing parties could harm relations between Israel and the US.
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