Email from Zionist Organization of America ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA IN THE MEDIA Rivka Sonts — ZOA Washington Mission: Jewish Americans Press Congress on Antisemitism and Iran — Jewish Link By Rivka Sonts Leo Terrell and ZOA National President Morton Klein at the opening reception. (June 18, 2026 / Jewish Link) One hundred fifty Jewish Americans from across the country converged on Capitol Hill last week for the Zionist Organization of America’s annual Washington Mission. Community leaders and everyday citizens, representing communities from coast to coast, came with one agenda: Demand action on Iran, confront antisemitism on both the left and the right, and stand up for the rights of Jews to live in Yehuda and Shomron. The mission opened with a reception featuring Leo Terrell, chair of the U.S. Department of Justice Task Force on Antisemitism, who announced a 15-city national tour to prosecute antisemitic incidents at the local level. “Antisemitism is local—it’s a failure of prosecutors to prosecute,” Terrell told the crowd. “Either they prosecute, or we will file a lawsuit against them.” ZOA Director of Government Relations Dan Pollak called Terrell “a true American patriot” and said the organization was honored to have him open the mission. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) addresses the ZOA Washington Mission. Antisemitism: A Warning From Both Sides The next morning’s panel brought a bipartisan group of members of Congress who spoke candidly and without hesitation. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) warned that antisemitism has taken hold in both major parties. “The Democratic Party thought it would just go away, but today there is a real contingent of antisemitic sentiment,” Cruz said. “It also pains me that we are seeing antisemitism grow on the right. I could not have imagined that two years ago, but it is happening, and it must be stopped.” The audience gave him a standing ovation when he added, “Antisemitism is a gateway drug that, unless eradicated, will ultimately erode the democratic values we cherish.” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) was equally direct: “Anti-Zionism is antisemitism. It is rooted in Jew-hatred. We are living in a moment that at times feels like 1930s Germany. But not on my watch,” he said, pledging to sponsor new legislation. Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) with ZOA National President Morton Klein. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) echoed him from across the aisle: “I don’t care if you are Jewish, Christian or Muslim—all of us have to stand tall and call out the antisemites and the Jew-haters in both parties.” Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.), the first member of Congress to wear a kippah on the House floor, brought a deeply personal note to the discussion. He described taking his teenage son to the Holocaust Museum and his son’s observation afterward: that photographs of 1930s Germany, translated and colorized, could pass for scenes from New York City today. “In 1932 Germany, there were two kinds of Jews: those who left, and those who died,” Fine said. “In 2026, we need a new kind of Jew—one who is willing to fight.” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) speaks at the ZOA Washington Mission. Iran: Forty-Seven Years of Terror, Answered On Iran, there was a palpable sense that something had shifted. ZOA National President Morton Klein was unequivocal: “We must stop Iran’s aggression, its pursuit of nuclear weapons, and its funding of Islamic terrorist groups.” Fine put recent U.S. military action plainly: “For 47 years, someone finally came along and said, ‘Enough.’ That gentleman’s name was Donald Trump.” Gottheimer pointed to Iran’s willingness to negotiate as evidence of what decisive force can achieve: “For the first time in 47 years, this regime is actually willing to negotiate—and they would not have been willing but for decisive action.” Continue Reading Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email DONATE www.zoa.org Copyright © Zionist Organization of America 2026. All rights reserved. Zionist Organization of America | 633 Third Ave 31 B | New York, NY 10017 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice
