Congresswoman Lois Frankel, who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, will go to Israel on a freshmen congressional delegation where Members will focus on strengthening the strategic US-Israel relationship. Members on the delegation will meet with government and military leaders, visit key strategic sites — including the security fence, the Gaza border, Golan Heights and Israel's northern border with Lebanon — and get a firsthand look at joint U.S.-Israel defense and technology projects.

The mission to Israel is organized by the American Israel Education Foundation, an independent, nonprofit charitable organization. It is one that all freshmen Members of Congress are invited to participate on and many Members, both Republican and Democrats go every two years. A group of Democratic Members will go next week and a Republican freshmen delegation will travel to Israel the following week.

Their trip to Israel comes at a critical time with the U.S. leading peace negotiations now between the Israelis and Palestinians and instability in the Middle East. Israel remains the United States’ best ally in a chaotic region.

“This trip to Israel comes at an important time with the U.S. leading peace negotiations and instability threatening the Middle East,” Frankel said. “Together we will reaffirm our commitment and support to Israel, our most important partner in this region.”

The delegation will meet with key leaders — both Israelis and Palestinians — to gain insight on issues of security, diplomacy, defense cooperation and more. This rigorous trip will feature meetings and briefings with high-level Israeli and Palestinian government officials including Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israeli President Shimon Peres, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, military leaders, defense and economic experts. The Members of Congress will receive updates on the peace process, Israel’s security situation and economic trends in the region and opportunities for economic and technological cooperation with the Israeli business community and the US.

The group will also visit an Iron Dome battery and meet with Israeli Defense Force soldiers. Frankel has advocated for more funding for Israel’s Iron Dome and Arrow missile defense systems. Frankel believes defending Israel in the interest of our national security and last week offered an amendment to the House Defense appropriations bill that would add investments to Israel’s Iron Dome and Arrow missile defense systems. Frankel’s amendment proposed investing an additional $20 million in funding for Israel’s Iron Dome defense system and $5 million for their Arrow defense system to bolster protection against short and long-range missile attacks.

Frankel has visited Israel prior to serving in Congress and returns as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Middle East Subcommittee.

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