2017
CONGRESSIONAL TOUR REPORT
USIEA Congressional Tour 2017 uniquely demonstrates the power of building strategic relationships and providing relevant perspective. In one short week, members met the right people and saw firsthand the important issues related to the U.S.-Israeli relationship.
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL TOUR
This was the fourth USIEA Congressional Tour. An Israeli host for the tour says, “This was my first time to be directly involved with the entire tour. I was extremely impressed with the content and execution in covering important issues, especially related to the burning issues in Judea and Samaria. Members heard from key people on both sides and left with data that both reinforced and challenged their existing beliefs.” Members received private briefings from a cross-section of Israeli political, diplomatic and military leaders.
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Key meetings included Prime Minister Netanyahu, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman and U.S. Ambassador David Freidman, along with a host of military, diplomatic and community leaders. Their first stop outside Jerusalem was Palmachim Airbase, where they were briefed on Israeli missile defense systems. They visited the Golan Heights and received security briefings about the ongoing Syrian Revolution and the Iranian land bridge.
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They spent two full days in Judea and Samaria visiting Shiloh, Ariel and Hebron. They toured universities and businesses, and met with regional leaders. This is unique to USIEA tours, as congressional leaders are not allowed to visit Judea and Samaria on U.S. government-funded tours. The briefings covered a wide range of issues. Most speakers provided in-depth historical and cultural insights and USIEA Executive Director Heather Johnston provided the Biblical context and background that have shaped Israel’s heritage and are foundational to both Judaism and Christianity.
KEY EDUCATION TOPICS
Iran's Regional Aspirations
Nearly every speaker warned of the threat Iran poses to the geopolitical landscape of today’s Middle East. While the U.S. has been focused on dealing with ISIS, Iran is using the current situation to leverage its regional aspirations. It is intent on creating a land bridge from Tehran to the Mediterranean to provide a military and political corridor under Shiite Muslim control. If Iran gains nuclear status, it will be an even greater existential threat to Israel and the rest of the Gulf. To date the U.S. State Department has not revealed its policy vis-àvis Iranian expansionism.
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This adds to the threat of Hezbollah in Lebanon. Today there are over 100,000 missiles in Lebanon aimed at Israel. Many are placed within civilian populations – often in the homes of Lebanese families, making any military response complex and laden with difficult decisions.
ISRAELI–PALESTINIAN ISSUE
Nearly every speaker warned of the threat Iran poses to the geopolitical landscape of today’s Middle East. While the U.S. has been focused on dealing with ISIS, Iran is using the current situation to leverage its regional aspirations. It is intent on creating a land bridge from Tehran to the Mediterranean to provide a military and political corridor under Shiite Muslim control. If Iran gains nuclear status, it will be an even greater existential threat to Israel and the rest of the Gulf. To date the U.S. State Department has not revealed its policy vis-àvis Iranian expansionism.
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This adds to the threat of Hezbollah in Lebanon. Today there are over 100,000 missiles in Lebanon aimed at Israel. Many are placed within civilian populations – often in the homes of Lebanese families, making any military response complex and laden with difficult decisions.
“Some of the assumptions that we have all operated under for a long time – that there has to be a two-state solution, a Palestinian state on the West Bank – some of those assumptions are now being questioned… people look at Gaza as a negative example of what can happen.”
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Rep. Mac Thornberry
“The solution to the Israeli – Palestinian issue will not happen as a result of a week-long summit somewhere, but will take a longer-term generational shift… Now is the season to move specific projects and make progress 'one bite at a time' rather than with one big agreement.”
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Senator James Lankford
SETTLEMENTS IN JUDEA AND SAMARIA
The previous U.S. administration’s policy of “not one brick” on construction in Judea and Samaria is no longer feasible. Building freezes are stifling natural growth and causing housing prices to skyrocket. A number of alternatives have been proposed, but members realize there is no simple or immediate solution. And they see some significant ways they can facilitate progress.
EMBASSY MOVE TO JERUSALEM
On the diplomatic front, members heard a number of presentations advocating the move of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, including one from U.S. Ambassador David Friedman. As Jerusalem Mayor Barkat said, “It is time for a bold move.”
TAKING ACTION
Ultimately, the tour is about taking action. “It was our best trip ever,” says Heather Johnston, “largely because of the level of authority we took. The congressional delegates were able to sit together and make decisions confidently and know that they could accomplish what they are planning.”
Since the tour, a number of key action steps have been implemented.
