Rep. Pete Olson (R-Sugar Land) today issued the following statement in response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to a joint session of Congress:

"I agree with Prime Minister Netanyahu when he says that Israel is an anchor of stability in the Middle East and also an unwavering ally to the United States. Israel is our strong partner in peace and they are correct in raising the very serious concerns with the growing threat of a nuclear armed Iran. The U.S. has no greater ally and there is no country that faces a greater threat of a nuclear attack than Israel. The global community has a shared benefit in preventing Iran from becoming a renegade nuclear power.

"Netanyahu is also correct in saying that any lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians must be anchored in security. He stated clearly Israel's willingness to be generous with the size of a Palestinian state. Israel has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to peace – it’s time for the Palestinians to show their commitment to peace affirming Israel’s right to exist.  Anything less is not acceptable.  As Netanyahu said, "peace cannot be imposed, it must be negotiated."

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