A Moving Visit to Israel
CEO, Republican Jewish Coalition
I've just returned from an emotional and uplifting four-day visit to Israel with Vice President Mike Pence and I want to share the experience with you.
We arrived on Thursday and first visited the south of Israel, spending time in Sderot, a city that has been pounded by Hamas rockets for years and was the site of a fierce battle between Hamas terrorists and Israeli police on October 7. I have visited Sderot many times and the strength and resilience of the residents here is tremendously inspiring. At this time, thousands of residents have been displaced for their own safety, but plans are already underway for their return home.
Our next stop was Kfar Aza, a kibbutz less than two miles from the Gaza border and one of several that was attacked on October 7, the day Israelis call "Black Saturday." Dozens of residents were massacred or taken hostage from this kibbutz and the fighting here lasted for two days. We saw the indescribably horrific brutality and inhumanity of Hamas with our own eyes.
We then traveled to the fields near Kibbutz Re'im, where the Supernova music festival took place and where the Hamas attack claimed its first victims. Seeing the memorials there, including for Americans killed that day, was intensely moving. Each name, each face, represents a whole world to their bereaved families. Many of the hostages still held in Gaza were taken from the festival.
Later in the trip, we met with the hostage families. It was gut wrenching to speak with these brave people, who are hour by hour in the deepest pain for their loved ones held captive in Gaza.
The next morning, Friday, we were in Jerusalem. It was an honor to meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and to join Vice President Pence in expressing the unwavering support of the American people for Israel and its citizens. We offered our condolences, our support, and our pledge that America will always stand with Israel.
Our trip took us from the far south of Israel to the far north, where it was a tremendous experience to spend time with IDF soldiers near the Lebanese border and hear from them directly about what is happening on the northern front. Just as thousands of Israeli families from the south are displaced and living in temporary housing during this time of war, thousands of families from the north of the country have been evacuated to protect them from the missiles that Hezbollah shoots into Israel.
In addition to speaking with soldiers who are serving on the front line, we also had a strategic briefing Friday afternoon from military officials to help us understand the incredibly difficult situation Israel is facing now.
When Shabbat ended, I had the privilege of joining Vice President Pence at a Havdalah ceremony with families who have been displaced from their homes by the war. The Israeli people are united and strong, caring for each other and praying for peace.
We met on Sunday with former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who shared his expertise and experience with us.
We also had the opportunity to speak with the current Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, to get a broader view of Israel's strategic concerns.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu briefed Vice President Pence and our delegation on the current situation. In this meeting, as in every event on this trip, the message we brought to Israelis was, "America is with you. The American people support you. America will always stand with Israel!" It was a privilege for me to participate in this mission and to share in bringing this message to our friends in Israel.
Israel is in a difficult and dangerous fight for her survival. It is vitally important that the US continues its historic support for Israel in every way, and that we make sure Israel's enemies know that the US stands with Israel. I know that all the members of the RJC join me in this conviction and the RJC will continue to do everything we can to strengthen the US-Israel alliance.