WASHINGTON– Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) today issued the following reaction to President Obama’s speech regarding U.S. policy in the Middle East and North Africa.  

“While I support the President's call for the advancement of democracy and human rights in the Middle East and North Africa, I was gravely disappointed with a number of his proposals — particularly those concerning our democratic ally  Israel.

"I flatly reject the President's suggestion that Israel return to its 1967 borders as a condition of a self-governing Palestinian state.  It is misguided in my opinion for the President to put new pressure on Israel to make concessions on its borders as doing so would have a negative consequence on the security of Israeli people.

“ I am deeply concerned that President Obama failed to mention cutting off U.S. funding to the Palestinian Authority and formally recognizing Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state.  Now is not the time to weaken the U.S.-Israel relationship at the expense of helping those who may not share our values of freedom and peace in the Middle East.”

"And finally on the topic of Egypt, I do not believe we should forgive the nearly $1 billion in Egyptian debt in this current fiscal environment when our deficit is currently more than $1.6 trillion.  

"It is my hope that these important issues and others will receive a vigorous debate in Congress."

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