Dani Dayan with Reps Dave McKinley and Bill Johnson in Psagot |
In February, Rep. Dave McKinley (WV-2) and
Rep. Bill Johnson (OH-4), were brought to Israel by Yes:
Israel Missions and the Israel Allies
Foundation for an in depth
fact-finding mission. They came to Judea
& Samaria to learn first-hand what they can do (within the confines of the
US Constitution) to assist the Jewish state against existential threats to her
existence.
After spending time at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, traveling along Derech HaAvot (the ancient highway traveled by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), viewing the first Jewish capital of Shiloh, and learning about the formation of the Gush Etzyon settlements blocks decades before Israel declared Independence in 1948, the Congressmen came away with a comprehensive understanding of the historical – both Biblical and contemporary – ties that Israel has this region. They also took time to get a unique perspective of the region – from Israel's largest (400 meter) zipline in Eretz HaAyalim through the Judean Mountains.
The Congressmen in front of the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron along with David Wilder of the Hebron Fund |
The Congressmen speaking with Aharoni Neubauer, the Mayor of Neve Daniel and Moshe Saville, Deputy Mayor of Gush Etzion |
After spending time at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, traveling along Derech HaAvot (the ancient highway traveled by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), viewing the first Jewish capital of Shiloh, and learning about the formation of the Gush Etzyon settlements blocks decades before Israel declared Independence in 1948, the Congressmen came away with a comprehensive understanding of the historical – both Biblical and contemporary – ties that Israel has this region. They also took time to get a unique perspective of the region – from Israel's largest (400 meter) zipline in Eretz HaAyalim through the Judean Mountains.
The Congressmen along with journalist Josh Hasten and Shani Simkowitz of the Gush Etzion Foundation |
The Congressmen with Eliana Passentin (far right), their host at the Tel Shiloh historical site |
The Congressmen addressing students at Ariel University |
The Congressmen with Ariel University Chancellor, Yigal Cohen-Orgad and Prof. Alexander Bligh (far right) |
The delegation also had the opportunity visit a
Avi Zimmerman (c) of the Ariel Development Fund and Yehuda Cohen of Lipski Plastics (right) at the Lipski factory in Barkan |
In August, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) toured Ancient Shiloh learning about the historical, Biblical and cultural ties the Jewish people have to this land. He was also very surprised to learn of efforts by Israeli 'settlers' to improve the human rights of the Arabs in Judea and Samaria. A very important and constructive dialogue has begun with one of the most outspoken supporters of a Palestinian state in the US Congress.
The Congressmen meeting a Palestinian employee at the Lipski Factory |
In November a bi-partisan delegation of seven
US Congressman toured the region through the Israel-US Education Association. The Association
which has a deep bond with the City of Ariel's late Mayor, Ron
Nachman, had the privilege of
learning about the thriving modern city of Ariel, including its bustling university home to 15,000 students, including its
growing Arab student population. Their
trip which included visits to Hebron,
Shiloh, Gush Etzyon, and Samaria , challenged the conventional wisdom
concerning the two-state solution, confronted the realities of the mortal
danger Israel would face should Israel be pressured into surrendering the
strategic bluffs of Samaria and became familiar with the legal precedent
supporting the right of Israel to continue developing and settling throughout
Judea & Samaria. For a more
comprehensive perspective of that trip, please view Ariel Development Fund's, Avi Zimmerman's description.
Dani Dayan addressing the congressmen in Ariel |
YESHA Council, Chief
Foreign Envoy, Dani Dayan
challenged the delegation regarding the role that the US is playing in
brokering these negotiations. With
numerous foreign policy catastrophes challenging America's credibility abroad –
from the NSA wiretapping scandal, to Russian Premier Putin's direct challenge
of Obama, to Syria and Iran, America can ill-afford another high-profile
foreign affairs failure, particularly in the Middle East. Click
here to see some of his remarks.
Ariel Mayor, Eli Shaviro with Rep. James Lankford |
In September, Rep. Doug Lamborn (CO-5) participated in the Israel
Allies Foundation solidarity visit to Judea &
Samaria. The delegation included
Parliament Members from 25 different countries, all committed to learning
first-hand about the conflict, supporting Israel, and sharing their knowledge
with others in leadership roles in their home country.
Rep. Doug Lamborn with Ruth Lieberman, director of "Yes! Israel Missions" |
Rep. Lamborn sat down with Chris Mitchel of CBN for this engaging interview. As a leader in the pro-Israel community in the US Congress, who had been to Israel numerous times beforehand, this was his first trip to Judea & Samaria. He explained that the visit provided him with a perspective that he was not even aware was missing. Please see this earlier blog post for a more detailed account of the entire visit to Judea & Samaria.
Rep. Doug Lamborn with Elie Pieprz of the YESHA Council |
Rep. Lamborn sat down with Chris Mitchel of CBN for this engaging interview. As a leader in the pro-Israel community in the US Congress, who had been to Israel numerous times beforehand, this was his first trip to Judea & Samaria. He explained that the visit provided him with a perspective that he was not even aware was missing. Please see this earlier blog post for a more detailed account of the entire visit to Judea & Samaria.
Elie Pieprz of the YESHA Council, with Rep. Keith Ellison at Shiloh |
Rep. Keith Ellison with members of his staff and representatives of the YESHA Council in Shiloh |
Dani Dayan provided Rep. Dave
Reichert (R-WA) with a strategic analysis of the security that the Judean & Samarian communities like Alfei Menashe, provide for the majority of Israeli's who live in the central Tel Aviv region of Israel. Reichert
was able to clearly see how Judea & Samaria are critical for Israel's
defense purposes due to its close proximity, overlooking the major Israeli
population economic hubs. As a former
Police Chief, he shared his impressions of the efforts of the IDF and local
police to protect the Jewish residents throughout Judea and Samaria. His delegation, which included representatives
of law enforcement and first responders' organized by Proactive
Global Security, benefited from the
opportunity to visit the Jewish community of Hebron and the Cave
of Patriarchs.
Rep. Dave Reichert and his delegation in front of Isaac's Tomb at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron |
Rep. Dave Reichert, Elie Pieprz of the YESHA Council with policemen & first responders from Washington State |
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