McAuliffe and NJDC Complete Successful Visit to Israel
Listed in: Israel, NJDC News, Press Releases
Washington, DC: The National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC), accompanied by Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, recently completed a successful week-long visit to Israel that included briefings with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, Defense Minister Benjamin "Fuad" Ben-Eliezer, as well as other high-level Israeli officials. NJDC Executive Director Ira N. Forman stated that the trip sent an important message to the people of Israel about the Democratic Party's continuing support for the security of the State of Israel.
"This visit showed the Israeli government just how committed the Democratic Party is to preserving the unique and crucial relationship between the United States and Israel," said Forman. "We had very informative meetings with Prime Minister Sharon, Foreign Minister Peres and other government officials, and I know that many of our Israeli hosts were deeply appreciative that in this time of violence the head of the Democratic Party, Terry McAuliffe, was willing to show his solidarity with the people of Israel."
Arthur Schechter, NJDC Executive Committee member and former U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas, who led the NJDC contingent on this trip, stated that "everyone involved in this visit, including Chairman McAuliffe, has always had a deep and abiding respect for the people of Israel." Added Schechter, "The Democratic Party, since the Truman administration, has believed that peace and security in the Middle East can only be achieved through close cooperation with our democratic ally Israel. I am very pleased that we at NJDC could share this invaluable experience with Chairman McAuliffe, and we all look forward to working with him and the DNC throughout this very important election year."
