PM Olmert to meet with mission
Photo: Flash 90
US congressmen, community leaders on solidarity visit to Israel
Delegation of US congressmen and community leaders from New York arrives in Israel in show of support for country. Group to meet Prime Minister Olmert, visit north, Sderot
A delegation of US congressmen and community leaders from New York will visit Israel this week to express solidarity with the people of Israel. The visit is sponsored by the New York Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), which works to strengthen relationships between the Jewish community and government and public leaders on all levels.
The group includes Congressman Gary Ackerman and Congressman John Hall, as well as religious leaders and representatives of the African-American, Hispanic and Asian-American communities in New York. The mission is being accompanied by Michael Miller, JCRC executive vice president & CEO.
The JCRC sponsors missions that focus on showing solidarity with the people of Israel. “There is no substitute for meeting face-to-face with Israelis from all walks of society, in the halls of government and on the city streets. Our diverse and influential mission participants are bringing a message of fellowship and hope, and will take back home to New York real-life stories of Israeli courage and determination to build a brighter future," said Miller.
During the visit the mission will meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Vice Premier Haim Ramon, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai.
The delegation will visit Safed and other parts of the Galilee, as well as Jerusalem, Sderot and Gush Etzion. In Safed they will learn how the city coped with rocket attacks during the Second Lebanon War, and will see how UJA-Federation of New York is helping to renovate bomb shelters in the region.
In Sderot they will visit the Trauma Center and will tour the border with Gaza. They will meet with local officials and residents, and will learn about the challenges of living under the ongoing threat of rocket attacks. They will also see how the Israel Trauma Coalition, founded by UJA-Federation of New York, is helping residents cope with trauma.
