Schneider Gets Up Close Look at World Hotspot

When one is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee like Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield), they have an opportunity to get a firsthand look at some of the world’s trouble spots like the Middle East.

Schneider is currently in the midst of his second trip in three months to Israel and the Palestinian West Bank where he is one of 37 members of the House of Representatives to meet with leaders of both sides.

When Schneider made his first visit to Israel as a member of Congress in May, he and a delegation from the Chicago area saw a Syrian Civil War battle break out from their vantage point on Mt. Hermon in Israel.

In the three months since, the situation in Syria has grown more complex and Israeli and Palestinian leaders have agreed to resume peace talks for the first time in three years. Since then negotiators met in Washington once and have their second round of discussions this week in Jerusalem.

“Israel is negotiating again (with the Palestinians) and there has been a degeneration of what is going on in Syria,” Schneider said from Israel Thursday of changes in the last three months. “The overshadowing feeling is hope. They’re willing to give it a chance. We’ll see how it plays out,” he added about the peace talks.

After the delegation of 37 House Democrats led by Minority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres, they had the opportunity to go to Ramallah and talk to Saeb Erekat, the lead Palestinian negotiator.

“He was more ardent in his position,” Schneider said of the Palestinian leader. “He’s not willing to go as far as the others,” he added referring to statements by Israeli leaders. “It’s all going to happen at the negotiating table (for him).”

Ramallah itself impressed Schneider. “It’s a modern city with a five-star hotel and skyscrapers,” he said. “I was surprised by the development in the West Bank. They’re building for their children.”

When talking to Netanyahu and Peres during different sessions, they heard about Syria, the Israeli economy and most emphatically about Israel’s feelings that Iran must not have the ability to acquire nuclear weapon.

“He (Peres) expressed his gratitude on the Iran sanctions bill,” Schneider said of legislation recently passed in the House in which both Schneider and Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park) played key roles.

When Schneider returns, he will be sharing his knowledge with a number of constituents including a briefing of Jewish leaders Wednesday. He knows Middle East issues are important to many local residents.

“In the 10th District Israel is not just a place,” Schneider said. “For many it is a matter of the heart.”

While Schneider has been to Israel numerous times including a year-long stint as an engineer on a kibbutz after graduation from college, 31 of his colleagues were making their first visit on this journey.

“They were surprised to see how close everything is to each other, how small the country is,” Schneider said.

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