Newly elected Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert addresses a joint session of Congress. In his opening remarks the Prime Minister appeals to the common values between our two countries as a foundation for what he calls for later in the speech: support of his plan for peace talks with the Palestinian Authority and a united effort against the threat posed by Iran.

Discussion Questions

1. Why would the Israeli Prime Minister address a joint session of Congress? What might his goals be? What rhetorical devices does the Prime Minister use to achieve his goals?
2. What is the difference between a prime minister’s relationship to parliament and the president’s relationship to Congress? How might these differences impact the way each conducts foreign policy?
3. Consider the numerous purposes of government. To what purpose of the U.S. government is Prime Minister Ehud appealing?
4. What is he trying to achieve on behalf of his own government and people? What core values does the Prime Minister claim are shared by the U.S. and Israel?
5. What are our countries’ common interests? How might our countries' values and interests differ? To what degree should values determine foreign policy? To what degree should common interests determine foreign policy?