Meng travels to Israel

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced today that she is traveling in Israel this week.

Meng is visiting the Jewish state with Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), the number two Democrat in the House, and several other members of Congress.

The trip includes meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Shimon Peres, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, members of the Knesset, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces, individuals from academia and other government and military officials.

The trip also consists of visits across the country including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Golan Heights, Sderot and the Palestinian territories. Stops include an Iron Dome battery (Israel’s ant-missile defense system) and important historical and cultural sites such as the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial.

The trip is Meng’s second visit to Israel. She visited the country in 2010 when she was a member of the New York State Assembly.

“I am excited to once again be visiting Israel, particularly during this important time for the Jewish state,” said Meng. “Our trip reaffirms the unbreakable bond that the U.S. shares with Israel, and underscores the strong support our dear friend and ally has in Congress. I look forward to continuing our meetings and visits with the country’s leaders, and discussing critical issues such as regional security, the resumption of peace talks, the Iranian nuclear threat and further strengthening the vibrant U.S.-Israel relationship.”

Meng is scheduled to return to New York early next week.

She is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, the panel that oversees United States policy towards Israel and all nations in the Middle East.

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