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On May 31, GMF hosted a luncheon for Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL), a senior member on the House International Relations Committee and ranking Democrat on the Europe and Emerging Threats Subcommittee.  Rep. Wexler spoke in great detail about a wide range of issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and relationships between Turkey and the European Union, the United States, and Germany.   Rep. Wexler explained that Europe would have to make a historic decision to support Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s unilateral withdrawal plans, or face a third uprising among the Palestinian Arabs. When discussing Turkey, Wexler said he was bewildered by Europe’s reluctance to accept the strategic importance of Turkey’s position and the lack of appreciation of how far Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has gone. In regards to Germany, Rep. Wexler noted that since Blair and Chirac are on their way out, Merkel is Europe for the foreseeable future. He also praised the German government for its constructive role in the Iran negotiations. He hopes and expects that Germany will begin to play a more global role.   Following the initial speech, a lively discussion ensued between Rep. Wexler and a dozen guests. Senior SPD parliamentarian Hans-Ulrich Klose said he would welcome Israel as a partner for Europe, and that a unilateral solution would work only if it was agreed upon by both sides.  He said that the real risk of an upheaval, from a European prospective, was that it might take place within Europe. Rep. Wexler was adamant that neither the United States nor Israel had any realistic options of military action against Iran’s nuclear program. He said the U.S. foreign policy community was becoming nervous about Russia, but also noted that Moscow seems to be currently moving in a direction that is adverse to U.S. interests.