“We have to
stand up against
anti-Semitism.
Israel is a great
ally, and we have
to stand up for
that.”
-Senator Rick
Scott (R-FL)
13
VOCACY MISSION 2019
thrilled when asked to address the group.
While fielding a number of questions from
the crowd, Dr. Teller provided an insider’s
perspective on the pro-Israel administration
– “It’s not a problem to show something
pro-Israel in this White House” – and went
on to assure the crowd that “there’s nothing
in this Middle East peace plan that would
ever compromise the safety and security of
the state of Israel.” He also highlighted the
sanctions on Iran that are effectively targeting
individuals’ and companies’ access to the U.S.
financial system, in addition to recognizing
the sad truth that there is more apparent
anti-Semitism in the country than in years
prior, and the offensive willingness to tolerate
such behavior, especially in Congress.
ZOA’s Congressional
Luncheon
The energy was palpable as hundreds of
ZOA activists were greeted by Director of
Government Relations Dan Pollak in the
Dirksen Senate Office Building, especially
after hearing the news that the Senate unanimously
passed its resolution condemning
anti-Semitism. Nonetheless, anti-Semitism in
Congress and across the United States was still
one of the most talked about topics by the 30
senators and House members that addressed
the luncheon attendees.
ZOA National President Morton A. Klein
welcomed the crowd via video message from
Jerusalem, where he was participating on a
two-person panel at an anti-BDS conference
sponsored by Israel’s Ministry of Strategic
Affairs. Mort thanked all of the activists for
their important work, and shared his sincere
appreciation of the tireless efforts of ZOA
Government Relations Director Dan Pollak
and Deputy Director Joel Kassiday. He also
expressed gratitude to ZOA Chairman Mark
Levenson for his commitment to the organization
and to the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Dan Pollak and Mark Levenson then took
turns at the podium, briefing the activists on
the suggested talking points for the individual
advocacy meetings and welcoming the distinguished
guests.
Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY),
Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee,
co-chair of the Israel Allies Caucus,
and a member of the ZOA since the 1970’s,
re-affirmed the U.S. commitment to Israel.
He then said, “We must provide support to
help Israel defend herself…we must make
sure that the U.S.-Israel relationship remains
strong, no matter who the president is. It’s not
a one-way street. The U.S. needs Israel, and
Israel needs the U.S.” Engel then concluded
his address by proudly proclaiming, “Am
Yisrael Chai” (The Nation of Israel Lives).
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) recounted his
pro-Israel work as Florida’s governor, as well
as his efforts to provide greater support to
the Jewish community through increased
security measures and strategies to combat
anti-Semitism on Florida campuses. “I have a
checklist of things I want to get done here in
the Senate, and one of them is to be a great
ally to Israel,” said Senator Scott. “We have
to stand up against anti-Semitism. Israel is a
great ally, and we have to stand up for that.”
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), introduced
by ZOA National Board Chairman Mark
Levenson as “one of Israel’s greatest friends
ever,” thanked ZOA activists for their courage
and their willingness to speak the truth.
Regarding S. Res. 189, which condemned all
forms of anti-Semitism, Senator Cruz noted:
“All of us are alarmed by the rise of anti-Semitism.
A trio of freshman Congresswomen are
engaged in deliberate, anti-Semitic attacks…
The House needs to stand up and answer the
same call.”