SCHNEIDER RETURNS FROM OFFICIAL VISIT TO SAUDIA ARABIA

WASHINGTON- Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), member of the House Foreign Affairs and Ways and Means Committees, returned recently from an official visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Schneider was invited to speak at the World Economic Forum's Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development.

While in Riyadh, Schneider met high-level officials from Saudi Arabia, the U.S. and other nations, providing an opportunity to discuss the situation in Gaza, prospects for normalization of relations with Israel and possibilities for a new direction for the entire Middle East.

Upon returning from the trip, Schneider said:

"After meeting with senior officials from across the region in Riyadh over the weekend, I'm increasingly optimistic that peace between Saudi Arabia and Israel is within reach. I believe there exists at this moment an unprecedented opportunity to change the trajectory of relations in the region and prove Hamas's barbaric attacks on October 7 were a fatal strategic error.

I believe the Saudis are committed to normalization with Israel, as well as supporting Palestinian aspirations for self-determination and ultimately a state. I believe the states that have completed agreements with Israel-Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Bahrain and Morocco-remain committed to the same goal. And other state leaders are watching with hope and are open to a new paradigm for security, peace and prosperity for all in the region.

We are at a fork in the road, and it matters which direction we take. Achieving normalization and peace will require true statesmanship on behalf of all parties involved, and I pray that all leaders faced with this historic moment seize the opportunity at hand to finally break free from the gravity of historic constraints that for so long have blocked the way forward."

The World Economic Forum Special Meeting brought together1,000 leaders from more than 90 countries and revolved around three themes: revitalizing global collaboration; a compact for inclusive growth; and catalyzing action on energy for development. The event was also attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who spoke about ongoing negotiations for a cease-fire agreement that would release hostages held by Hamas and allow for humanitarian aid to flood into Gaza.

During the Special Meeting, Schneider spoke on a panel entitled "What Homeland Economics Means for Trade" in which speakers from across the globe discussed how domestic politics, geopolitical divides, regional conflicts and public health threats are influencing trade policy and impacting supply systems worldwide. The conversation also included:

• Faisal Abbas, Editor in Chief of Arab News
• Hala H. ElSaid Younes, Minister of Planning and Economic Development of Egypt
• Clifford Kupchan, Chairman of the Eurasia Group
• Aloke Lohia, Group Chief Executive Officer, Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited
• Ahn Dukgeun, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea.

On Wednesday, Schneider discussed the trip, as well as a recent visit to Israel where he met with senior Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, on MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports. A clip of that interview can be viewed here.

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