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“Opportunity to ask tough questions:” Rep. Steil, members of Congress return from trip to Israel

August 19, 2019

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Around 70 members of Congress recently took a trip to Israel including Wisconsin's First District Representative Bryan Steil.

During the bipartisan trip, Rep. Steil and other lawmakers met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visited the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and learned about Israel's security.

Rep. Steil said the group also met with the leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organization.

The trip was held just before Israel denied Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib from visiting her grandma in the West Bank, and then took it back saying she could visit under certain conditions. Rep. Tlaib chose not to go, saying the conditions were oppressive.

Rep. Steil says every member of Congress was invited on this trip.

"I think everyone should've taken this opportunity to go and to explore the situation on the ground," he said. "I think it's important to realize that the trip, the bipartisan group, met with both Israelis and Palestinians. It was an opportunity to ask tough questions of leadership of both sides."

Rep. Steil said he believes there needs to be a peaceful resolution between Israel and Palestine, but believes the U.S. needs to stand by its ally, Israel.