Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement as the Israeli people celebrate their Independence Day.

“Israel’s Independence Day is an occasion to celebrate for every American who values our strong alliance with the leading democracy in the Middle East,” said Congressman Price. “The Israeli people’s journey to preserve their independence as a Jewish state has been and remains a difficult one. Unfortunately, the chill placed on U.S.-Israeli relations by the Obama administration makes that journey even more challenging. Along with a strong majority of the United States Congress, I remain steadfastly committed to ensuring the mutual security of our two nations.

“The American people have no greater friend or ally than Israel. That Israel has received such a cool reception by this current administration while the tyrannical Iranian regime gets ever closer to possessing a nuclear weapon is reckless and irresponsible. The obvious pursuit by Ahmadinejad and company poses a clear threat to the United States, to Israel, and to stability in the region. I call on President Obama on this special day of recognition for Israel to embrace the freedom loving people of Israel and correct the wayward international course of his administration.”