JERUSALEM - U.S. Senator Jim Risch met with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu today to discuss the U.S.-Israeli relationship and other issues in the region.

 “It was a productive meeting as we discussed several critical issues,” said Risch. “We talked about our shared concerns for Israel’s peace and security in the region and the effects that instability here can have on Americans at home.

 “Prime Minister Netanyahu provided a very thoughtful and convincing framework for acceptable borders between a safe and secure Israel and a peaceful Palestine. Both parties will need to agree on borders, among other final status issues, but Israel should not have to rewind history or sacrifice its security for a hollow agreement.

 “It was also good to hear the Prime Minister’s vision of peace and economic development for the Jewish and Palestinian people. I remain convinced that if the political leaders in the Palestinian Authority and Hamas reject violence and accept Israel’s right to exist as the national homeland of the Jewish people, the Palestinian people could prosper and see a dramatic improvement in their quality of life.”

 Risch traveled to Israel with Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) and is meeting with other leaders as well, including the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority and the Head of the Opposition Party in Israel. The senators will also receive briefings on border, security and trade issues.

 Risch serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations’ Subcommittee that oversees U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa.