Nov 13
Rep. Paulsen and Minnesota Delegation Travel to Israel on a Trip Organized by the JCRC
2009 at 16:37 pm posted by admin
An important part of the work of the JCRC in connection with our Stand Up for Israel! program is acquainting our public officials with the issues facing Israel. There is no better way to achieve this goal then by seeing Israel on the ground. From November 11 – 15, Representative Erik Paulsen is among a delegation of Minnesotans touring and learning about Israel.
Here is a report from Jacob Millner, JCRC’s Director of Public Affairs, chronicling the delegation’s activities on November 12, 2009:
On November 12, Rep. Paulsen met with MK Akunis (Likud) and MK Plesner (Kadima). We began the day with a tour of the significant strategic sites in and around Jerusalem. This tour was led by Ret. Col. and former Sharon spokesperson Miri Eisen. We began the day in Ma’ale Adummim and met with Mayor Benny Kashriel who briefed the group on the city as it exists as a “settlement” on the eastern outposts of Jerusalem. The group then toured sites along the separation barrier in East Jerusalem, and viewed the separation barrier and other Jerusalem neighborhoods from locations to the East, North, and South of the city. We then went to a very meaningful ceremony memorializing the victims of the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Speakers at the event included Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the Chief Rabbi of Israel. Rep. Paulsen along with Rep. Waxman from California lit the memorial flame. This is the only monument of its kind outside of the United States, symbolizing the important, and strong, relationship between both nations.
The JCRC group then visited an absorption center just outside Jerusalem in Mevasseret Zion. This is an absorption center that specializes in acclimating new Ethiopian immigrants.
Next, we visited Yad Vashem which stands as an eternal memorial to those lost in the Shoah. It was a very moving experience for the entire group.
Lastly, the group met with Minister Benny Begin. Begin spoke about the threats at Israel’s borders. He discussed that cooperation with Israel’s neighbors (Egypt and Jordan) is critical to Israel’s security. However, he also explained that Israel is the realization of the dreams of so many Jews for so many thousands of years. It is this determination that makes the nation so great.
Minnesota delegation pictured in front of the Western Wall. (Rep. Paulsen is pictured 4th from the left.)
