WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in response to an article in The Atlantic citing anonymous sources criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Outlandish remarks made by anonymous sources leave scars that mask the truth of America’s relationship with Israel: we have no greater ally in the Middle East. The truth is what President Obama says and does when he stands with Israel, its prime minister and its government against Iran’s devotion to obtaining nuclear weapons, and against Hamas in its violent acts against the Israeli people. The truth is when the Obama administration defends Israel against coordinated attacks at the United Nations that degrade the prospect for a real, stable peace in the Middle East. I’ve just spent two days in New York at the UN meeting with diplomats, including the Israelis who thanked me profusely for all the United States has done to support their efforts. The truth is that Israel has one and only one reliable ally that exercises its leadership at the UN to support its friend Israel and that is the United States. President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu understand the strategic importance and the special bond between our two countries.

“The only parties that benefit from anonymous sources making inappropriate comments about one of America’s closest allies are those who want to weaken the unified, bipartisan support for Israel in both the legislative and executive branches of our government. The leaks and side-shows need to end; those responsible should be held accountable.”