The Mid-Hudson News reports that Congressman John Faso (R-Kinderhook) has returned from a seven-day fact-finding trip to Israel. Faso and 40 other representatives met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Dr. Rami Hamdallah. Faso said the trip did not change his views, and reaffirmed his support for Israel. “That doesn’t mean that the U.S. does not have disagreements with Israel and visa versa, but on core values and where the society stands, we are shoulder to shoulder with Israel and we are also shoulder to shoulder on ensuring that the Jewish homeland, the Jewish state is protected and defended and that we work for peace in that region,” he said. “It is vitally important that we stand with Israel in that regard.” The trip was paid for by the American Israel Education Foundation and approved by the U.S. House Ethics Committee. Read the full story in the Mid-Hudson News.