John Boehner to visit Israel
House Speaker John Boehner plans to visit Israel during the House's Spring recess, his office said Friday. Boehner"looks forward to visiting the country, discussing our sharedpriorities for peace and security in the region, and furtherstrengthening the bond between the United States and Israel," thespeaker's office said.The House's Spring recess is March 30 - April 13.Theannouncement of Boehner's visit comes just after Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu's re-election. Earlier in the month, Netanyahu delivered a speech before a joint session of Congress. The speech causedsome controversy since Boehner invited Netanyahu to address Congresswithout consulting the White House about it. Boehner on Thursday told reporters that he was happy Netanyahu made the appearance. "Iinvited the Prime Minister of Israel to come because we have gravethreats facing our nation," he said. Netanyahu "was in a perfectposition to help describe that threat to the American people, and forthat matter, the rest of the world." Boehner'strip to Israel was planned before the Israeli election, and also longbefore Netanyahu's speech to Congress, according to the speaker'soffice. The speaker has planned to visit Israel because it is a criticalU.S. ally in the region.