Right now, a delegation of freshmen House Democrats is on the ground in Israel with Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar on a trip organized by AIEF, the charitable organization affiliated with AIPAC.
This trip provides new Democratic members of Congress an unparalleled opportunity to spend a week in Israel together. Freshmen Republicans will be going with AIEF later this year.
Traveling from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, from the Gaza border in the south to the Hezbollah terror tunnels in the north, these members gain a first-hand appreciation of the multifaceted security threats that Israel faces. Members also get to see vital joint U.S.-Israel programs, including the lifesaving Iron Dome missile defense system.
Please take a moment to visit this webpage to learn more about the trip, and watch the videos below.
Bringing members to Israel is the most effective way to allow our elected officials to learn about the pressing issues facing the Jewish state and the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship.
It’s one thing to talk about Israel, but it’s another to experience Israel; to be on-the-ground meeting the people and hearing their hopes and fears, feeling the spirit of the nation, visiting the borders, being engulfed in the complexities, understanding the nuance, and having your own relationship with the land and the nation.
Thank you for everything you do to keep Israel safe and the U.S.-Israel alliance strong.
Please see below for more stories we are following from over the week.
Israel Receives New U.S.-Made Navy Ship
The Israeli Navy on Tuesday received a new landing craft from the United States, which will "act as a central pillar in adapting the Israeli Navy to the modern and multi-arena battlefield."
The vessel, the first of two Israel will receive, was procured using the security assistance Congress provides to Israel each year. This funding, which we lobby for, is critical to ensuring our ally has the resources needed to defend itself, by itself and counter emerging threats.
Succesful Israeli Rescue Mission in Ethiopia
Amid ongoing conflict in Ethiopia, Israel rescued about 200 Israelis and Ethiopians eligible to make aliyah, flying them out of conflict zones to the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. From there, they can choose whether to remain in Ethiopia or travel to Israel.
To help coordinate the rescue operation, the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s situation room was expanded to include Ethiopian IDF soldiers who speak the native language.
J Street Undermines Democratic Support for Israel
This week, while 24 House Democrats were in Israel participating in an AIEF Educational Seminar and learning about the importance of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, J Street continued its work to undermine Democratic support for Israel.
Read and share this two-page breakdown of how J Street opposes President Biden on security aid, defends boycotts of Israel, and questioned Israel's need for Iron Dome funding.
Palestinian Terrorist from Jenin Kills Israeli in Tel Aviv
On Saturday, a 42-year-old Israeli father of three was killed by a Palestinian terrorist from Jenin during an attack in Tel Aviv.
Last month, the European Parliament for the first time adopted a resolution calling for the European Union to add the whole of Hezbollah to its list of banned terrorist organizations, rather than just its so-called "political wing."
Yet, the EU has yet to adopt the new policy. A new op-ed asks, "So, why does the EU still maintain an artificial distinction between Hezbollah's so-called 'military' and 'political' wings, allowing the group to continue operating virtually unfettered across Europe?"
Photo of the Week: House Democrats Meet Israeli President Herzog
The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
AIPAC 251 H St. NW • Washington D.C. 20001 • TEL 202-639-5200
