By Jared Edgerton, Contributing Writer

Senator Pat Toomey, accompanied by Idaho Senator Jim Risch, rounded out a three day trip to Israel this week during which he met with several high-profile Israeli officials.

The visit was scheduled over a month ago but the timing could not have been better. Last week the spotlight was thrust on US-Israel relations when President Obama called for negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians based on 1967 borders in advance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wisit to D.C. The Israeli PM won the PR week, delivering a well-received speech to a joint session of Congress.

Following Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech to Congress Senator Toomey spoke to the American Israeli Political Affairs Committee, a pro-Israeli lobby group,  and stressed America’s and Israel’s special relationship and criticized President Obama’s call to use the 1967 borders as a starting point for negotiations.

Throughout Senator Toomey’s career he has been an outspoken advocate for Israel, calling the West Bank settlements an internal issue. This assertion contradicts President Obama’s call to halt the expansion of western settlements.

Toomey met with Netanyahu and Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Leader Salam Fayyad to discuss political, security and economic issues in depth.

In a press release Senator Toomey described meeting Prime Minister Netanyahu as an honor, stating that their meeting focused on “the critical issues facing Israel’s long-term security,” specifically the threat of a nuclear Iran and improving cybersecurity.

During a conference call today, Toomey reiterated that the 1967 borders are indefensible for Israel. Calling land, “the card Israel holds” for negotiations and that giving up land without concessions would be foolish, citing Israel withdrawing unilaterally from the Gaza Strip in 2005 and consequently being bombed by Lebanon.

When asked under what conditions Israel and Palestine should work on negotiations Senator Toomey said that Palestine must recognize Israel’s right to exist and most likely would be a “demilitarized” state.

During Senator Toomey’s meeting with Fayyad he expressed concern over Hamas and Fatah’s reconciliation saying that if Hamas has strong leadership positions in the next Palestinian government then he will not support United States’ “tax dollars” to continue going to Palestine.

Senator Toomey also used the trip to promote joint business interests between Israel and Pennsylvania. Israel is planning on building a new rail that would circumvent having to use the Suez Canal to ship goods, and Senator Toomey suggested that Prime Minister Netanyahu use locomotives built in Erie for the rail.

Last January Senator Toomey also visited the Middle East making stops in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The trip was to familiarize himself with the war efforts and to “learn from commanders on the ground.”

While visiting Afghanistan Senator Toomey met with Pennsylvanian servicemen, General David Petraeus, and Afghan President Hamid Karzai. During the visit Senator Toomey ensured that the United States was “committed to the success” of the Afghanistan Mission.

Visiting Israel is good for building positive public relations and is a mainstay in American politics. Senator Bob Casey, also a strong supporter of Israel, wrote a letter to President George W. Bush in 2008 commemorating Israel’s 60th anniversary and visited the country to meet with Israeli government officials in 2009.

During Senator Toomey’s Senate campaign he received support from conservatives pro-Israel groups who accused his opponent, Representative Joe Sestak, of hostility toward the country.