Arutz Sheva: Israel solidarity reception held on Capitol Hill

A special Israel solidarity event was held on Tuesday on Capitol Hill by the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus (CIAC) and organized by the Israel Allies Foundation (IAF) network—together with The Jerusalem Post.

Addressing the crowd, which included family members of October 7th terror victims and hostages, CIAC Co-Chairs, Reps. Brad Sherman (CA-32), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Brad Schneider (IL-10), and Chris Smith (NJ-10) shared firm words of support and a promise to continue standing with Israel in the fight against terrorism.

"Ultimately, we have to do the job - to see the Middle East without Hamas," said Rep. Brad Sherman, stressing that there would be no ceasefire until that goal is achieved.

Additional Members of Congress attending the reception included Reps. Steve Cohen (D), Mike Lawler (R), Kathy Manning (D), Bill Johnson (R), Kat Cammack (R), and Maria Salazar (R).

Among the notable Israeli representatives were Israel’s Minister of Economy, Nir Barkat, and Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan.

"The bipartisan nature of faith-based diplomacy can be felt in legislatures around the world as we fight the bias and distortion we see in the United Nations," said Ambassador Erdan, a reflection of the IAF's international activities in mobilizing political support for Israel via shared Judeo-Christian values.

Attendees were visibly moved to hear from family members of October 7th victims, including Moshe Emilio Lavi, whose brother-in-law is being held hostage in the Gaza Strip, and Doron Almog, former IDF Maj.-Gen & Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel Doron Almog - four of his family members were abducted by Hamas, and two were murdered.

IAF U.S. Director Jordanna McMillan and The Jerusalem Post Editor-in-Chief Avi Mayer—co-hosting the event with the IAF—also addressed the crowd.

McMillan highlighted the critical role of the CIAC, saying, "Our goal with the Congressmen is to be the diplomatic Iron Dome for the Nation of Israel."

Ahead of the reception on Capitol Hill, IAF President & KCAC Director Josh Reinstein shared words of gratitude for the vital leadership of the CIAC and for the solidarity of the American people. “Thank you, CIAC Co-Chairs & Members, for being a united voice for Israel as we continue our fight against terrorism. As a historic ally of Israel, the United States continues to stand with us in our most crucial time. We are confident that through our bi-partisan efforts, good will indeed prevail over evil.”

The Congressional Israel Allies Caucus (CIAC) is the IAF's caucus in the United States House of Representatives. The first bipartisan caucus in support of Israel in the U.S. House, the CIAC was modeled after its counterpart in the Knesset, the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus (KCAC).

Attendees joined together for the VIP reception in the Capitol Building following the largest pro-Israel rally in U.S. history, with nearly 300,000 marching for Israel on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

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