Jimmy Carter: “I appreciate your going to the Hill today.”

Base on what I just said, which I can't retract.

I recognize that Israel is a wonderful democracy with freedom of speech and equality of treatment under the law between Arab Israelis and Jewish Israelis.

The aircraft carrying the 52 American hostages had cleared Iranian airspace on the first -- first leg of a journey home. And at every one of the 52 hostages was alive, was well and free.

All of us owe them our gratitude and respect.