Top US lawmaker assures Israel of US support

WASHINGTON (AFP) – US House Speaker John Boehner assured Israel that the United States would back its staunch ally and work to “maintain peace and stability” in the Middle East amid far-reaching unrest.

“Israel is one of America’s strongest allies. We share common values, and fight common enemies in the form of violent extremism,” Boehner said in a statement after talks with Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Michael Oren.

“The people of Israel have sacrificed for the sake of peace and stability. With change coming rapidly to the Middle East, the United States is committed to standing by our close ally to maintain peace and stability in the region,” he added.

Boehner’s meeting and comments came amid worries in the US Congress that the ouster of longtime Egypt president Hosni Mubarak, as well as protests in Bahrain and throughout the region, could ultimately endanger Israel.

US lawmakers have notably raised concerns that Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood could drive an anti-Israel agenda.