Minority Leader Pelosi and DCCC Chair Israel Lead Delegation to Israel

Jason Attermann — May 9, 2011 – 3:54 pm | Israel Comments (0) Add a comment

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Steve Israel (D-NY), and a bipartisan Congressional delegation traveled to Israel this week. Last night, the delegation met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed the U.S.-Israel relationship as well as the next steps to move the peace process forward. The delegation also commemorated Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, and issued a statement, that said:

Our delegation gathered together at nightfall to observe the beginning of Israel’s Memorial Day. On this day, we remember all of the Israeli sons and daughters,  mothers and fathers, who have gone to war and never come home. And we remember all of the victims of terror lost in acts of violence.

The group also marked the 63rd anniversary of Israel’s Independence Day, which occurs this year on Tuesday, May 10th according to the Hebrew calendar and Israeli law. This date also marks the anniversary of United States’ recognition of the independent state of Israel, which was made official by President Harry Truman only minutes after Israel’s declaration. The delegation celebrated the “common principles” shared by the United States and Israel, and made it clear that “Democrats and Republicans continue to speak with one voice on behalf of the Jewish state.” Pelosi’s full statement reads:

It is a privilege to be in Israel to mark the 63rd anniversary of this nation’s declaration of independence.

Israel’s history is a tale of prosperity, resilience, and perseverance; a story of courage and success in face of seemingly impossible odds. For 63 years, Israel has shone as a bright light of democracy and freedom dedicated to the core values of the Jewish people: to promote peace, to pursue justice, to seek the common good. As President John F. Kennedy once said: Israel is ‘the child of hope and the home of the brave.’

The friendship between the United States and Israel is founded on common principles - and it is because of those principles that Democrats and Republicans continue to speak with one voice on behalf of the Jewish state.  Together, we pray for the day when Israeli families and children can live free from fear; when Israel can finally realize the dream of peace and security.

On this day, we join all Israelis in celebrating what many consider one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century: the establishment of the state of Israel.  And we look forward to marking many more Israeli Independence Days in the years to come.

Other Democrats participating in the delegation are Representative George Miller (D-CA), Representative Ed Markey (D-MA), Representative Nick Rahall (D-WV), Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA), and Representative Cedric Richmond (D-LA).

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