Rep. Grace Meng
(D-NY): “As a
non-Jew and woman
of color, I stand
proudly and strongly
behind the U.S.-
Israel relationship.”
Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) is a good friend
of Israel and the ZOA. She provided details
of her strong record of supporting Israel on
Capitol Hill, such as ensuring funds for Iron
Dome and other tactics for Israeli defense;
strengthening the FBI’s approach to hate
crimes; obtaining funds to protect houses of
worship; and co-signing a letter with Rep. Lee
Zeldin (R-NY) urging Germany to designate
Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. Rep.
Meng summed up her support: “As a non-Jew
and woman of color, I stand proudly and
strongly behind the U.S.-Israel relationship.”
Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL) noted Israel’s
special relationship with his home state,
explaining that “Alabama in 1943 became
the first state to recognize Israel’s legitimacy
to exist as a sovereign nation.” He expressed
disbelief of how Israel is treated on the world
stage and also revealed that he is frightened by
the anti-Semitism in Europe, vowing not to
allow that to happen in the U.S.
Agreeing with many of his colleagues,
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) emphasized
the importance of a bipartisan U.S.-Israel
relationship and the need to secure funding
to help Israel defend herself from Hamas and
Hezbollah. “The $3.8 billion annually to
Israel is a key to a strong America,” said Gottheimer.
“I do everything I can. My support
will never bend.”
The first Green Beret elected to Congress,
Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL) said that we must
keep up the maximum pressure campaign on
Iran; he added that the U.S. needs to send a
clear message that we will hold Iran responsible,
not only its proxies.
Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY), member of
the House Foreign Affairs Committee,
co-chairman of the House Republican Israel
Caucus, and a good friend of the ZOA,
thanked the activists for standing against
anti-Semitism, wherever and whenever. “I’m
one of those who believes that we should be
naming names,” said Zeldin, prior to referencing
a colleague who often pushes anti-Semitic
rhetoric.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) praised
the ZOA saying, “You’re great at educating
Congress, great at educating youth.”
Longtime friend of the ZOA Rep. Louie
Gohmert (R-TX) described how the Democratic
leadership in the House repeatedly
watered down the resolution that was
supposed to condemn Rep. Ilhan Omar’s
anti-Semitic comments. “We’ve got to stand
firm and call out anti-Semitism,” he said.
“The best thing we can do is be the best
friend Israel has or will have.”
Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL) added, “It
is not progressive to be anti-Semitic. It is
regressive to be anti-Semitic.”
The ZOA Capitol Hill Advocacy Mission
Congressional luncheon concluded with a
powerful message from Rep. Brian Babin
(R-TX): “Bless Israel, and you will bless yourself…
I back Israel to the hilt and will continue
to do so.” Babin’s showing of support for
Israel and the U.S.-Israel relationship mirrors
the sentiment held by all of the Congress-
16 Capitol Hill Advocacy Mission