Thirty-seven Democratic members of the United States House of Representatives will hold a press conference at the King David Hotel, on Wednesday, 1 Elul 5773 at 17:45. It will take place after the delegation is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen).

The group of Democratic legislators is traveling in Israel for one week. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) is the senior member of the delegation.

The goal of the trip is to provide Members with first-hand knowledge of the US-Israel relationship and critical issues facing American policymakers in the Middle East. High on the agenda will be prospects for peace in the Middle East and regional strategic threats, including Iran’s continued pursuit of nuclear weapons, and how recent events in the Middle East impact upon and challenge the future in the region.

While in Israel, the Members will meet with Israeli and PA leaders, military officials, academics, journalists, and everyday citizens. They will visit historic and strategic sites, including the borders with Lebanon, Gaza, Jordan and Syria. They are also slated to visit the Gaza Envelope area, where they will be meeting with local residents.

The trip is sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF), a charitable organization affiliated with AIPAC.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)