?America's friendship with Israel is a truly special one, and we must continue to do all we can to support this beacon of democracy, religious freedom and free enterprise in the heart of an unstable region,? Rubio blogged on Saturday.
The first-term senator is considered a rising star in the Republican Party and his name is frequently mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2016.
Rubio plans to meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit, which ends on Friday. He also plans to meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Fayyad and Jordan?s King Abdullah II.
"In Israel, I look forward to meeting with our embassy, military and intelligence personnel as well, followed by visits with Israeli political, defense, intelligence and business leaders," Rubio blogged. "I am especially looking forward to meeting with President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss various areas of mutual interest, including the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. I also look forward to meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Fayyad."
Rubio says that the trip is part of his official duties as a member of the Senate Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committees.
"As Iran continues its pursuit of a nuclear weapon, we must continue to apply pressure through every possible means in order to prevent a nuclear Iran," he said. "And I look forward to assessing the impact American security assistance is having and discussing the importance of the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt and how we can maintain it during this time of great uncertainty and tumult in Egypt."
He praised America's relationship with Jordan and the country's role in fighting terrorism.
"In Jordan, I look forward to meeting with King Abdullah as well as other members of the Jordanian government, which remains among our most loyal allies in the region in trade, cultural exchanges and especially in combatting terrorism," he said. "I am also interested in learning more firsthand about the impact the Syrian civil war and how the humanitarian crisis that has resulted is impacting Jordan and the region."
In recent months, Rubio has taken the lead in steering the GOP?s efforts toward a comprehensive immigration reform plan that would give more than 12 million illegals currently in the United States legal status.
President Obama took 71 percent of the Hispanic vote in his recent re-election bid against former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. And Rubio is considered one of the GOP?s best hopes to increase the ranks of Hispanic voters.
Rubio, who is visiting Israel for the second time and Jordan for the first, is accompanied by his wife Jeanette. The senator stressed that he is not using taxpayer funds to pay for his wif'e's expenses.
"As is customary in each country I visit on official business, I will visit America's embassy to meet with the brave men and women stationed there from our foreign service, military and intelligence services and receive a country briefing from each," according to Rubio.
? 2013 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
Source: http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/SenRubio-Mideast-Visit/2013/02/16/id/490699
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