RJC Abroad: Weekend Update from Israel
Dear Friends, After an incredibly meaningful Shabbat in the Old City, the RJC delegation participated in critical meetings with the highest levels of the Israeli government: the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Strategic Affairs, the Speaker of the Knesset, and Israel's Ambassador to the United States.
(RJC CEO Matt Brooks and RJC National Chairman Norm Coleman with Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer)
We began yesterday morning with breakfast at the David Citadel with Israel's Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, followed by International Affairs Advisor to Prime Minister Netanyahu, Caroline Glick. Both stressed the vital importance of preventing Iran from having nuclear enrichment capabilities, and thanked President Trump for his strong support of the Jewish state.
We then traveled to the "beating heart of Israel's democracy", the Knesset, to meet with Speaker Amir Ohana. As we arrived, 120 IDF soldiers were lined up in the plaza to receive medals of achievement from President Herzog. Speaker Ohana opened the meeting by showing us a heavy, leather-bound book that he has kept at his desk throughout his entire political career. The book contains just one word, "Jew" , written 6 million times. In his office, the RJC delegation asked the Speaker questions ranging from the prospects for another ceasefire/hostage deal to the strength of the current governing coalition, to which the Speaker replied that the 68-seat majority was not nearly as weak as many in the international media always suggest.
(RJC delegation meeting with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana)
Our next meeting was with Israel’s Minister of Finance, and former Mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat. Minister Barkat was highly optimistic and bullish about the future of the Israeli economy. On relations with the United States, he said the government’s vision is 100% aligned with ours, and is working to ensure that nothing gets in the way of economic cooperation and success. Minister Barkat also noted that “the RJC is an anchor for Israel.”
At Joy Grill House for lunch, we were joined by Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter. Ambassador Leiter was very generous with his time, highlighting the many challenges and opportunities for Israel in America. Noting that he spends his “Saturdays in synagogues and Sundays in churches”, Ambassador Leiter noted that he has brought on an Evangelical advisor in his office, the first time in history. The Ambassador has also insisted on meeting with students everywhere in America, most recently at Princeton, to empower and encourage student supporters of Israel.
(RJC National Chairman Senator Norm Coleman greets Israel's Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter)
Ambassador Leiter told us the heart-wrenching story about the death of his first-born son, Major (Res.) Moshe Yedidia Leiter (z”l), who fell in combat in Gaza in the first weeks of the fighting, leaving behind his wife and 6 children. His son was 39 years old and served heroically as a platoon commander in the Shaldag. There have been over 2,000 killed and 5,000 injured in this war, and Ambassador Leiter highlighted the importance of treating PTSD in recovering soldiers, including Elisha Medan, who lost both of his legs in the same attack that killed Moshe.
We were all deeply moved by Ambassador Leiter, who told us to “be better versions of ourselves every day.”
Sunday was capped off by the RJC's participation in the inaugural Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) International Policy Summit. Our delegation had the opportunity to meet with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar after he spoke from the main stage for a private roundtable conversation. Minister Sa’ar stated that the RJC are the “best ambassadors” for Israel, while discussing some of the most critical issues of the day, including the opportunity for normalization with Saudi Arabia, and countering emerging threats in the region from Turkey and Syria.
(RJC National Chairman Senator Norm Coleman and RJC CEO Matt Brooks address the JNS Policy Summit in Jerusalem)
My remarks at the JNS Policy Summit focused on the disappointing degradation of support for Israel among Democrats - only 33% say they have a favorable opinion of Israel, compared to 83% of Republicans, according to a recent Gallup poll. But we also cannot lose sight of the fact that pro-Israel Republicans are losing young people: Among Republicans, negative views of Israel are growing among younger adults, with Republicans under 50 now about as likely to have a negative view of Israel as a positive one (50% vs. 48%). Support for Israel should be bipartisan, and the RJC is doing our part to ensure Republicans continue to stand with the Jewish state.
I also stressed we need to up our game on social media, to find voters where they are and deliver our message effectively.
RJC CEO Matt Brooks highlighted that although the GOP is clearly the pro-Israel party in the United States, we must be vigilant and commit to fight the strain of neo-isolationism and anti-Israel sentiment in the Republican Party.
You can view our full remarks here.
Today, we are on the road to the north of Israel for briefings on the border with Lebanon and Syria.
More to come soon from Israel.
Sincerely,
Norm Coleman
National Chairman, RJC