WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) released the following statement after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to a joint session of Congress today:

“In his address to Congress today, Prime Minister Netanyahu rightly resolved to protect his people from the evils of terrorism. But he also made clear that the survival of democracy in the region rests on the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship. He cut through all the noise and hateful protests surrounding his visit today and said the fight for freedom is a shared one. I will never apologize for supporting Israel’s right to exist or forcefully defend itself against those who wish to see Israel wiped off the map.”