Jerusalem, Israel - Mar. 21, 2022 - Due to the pandemic and Israeli travel restrictions, the international legislators of the Israel Allies Foundation (IAF) were last in Israel in 2019, to meet and tour. After the frustration of not being allowed in, this week the 20 Parliamentarians are happy to be in Israel for the eighth annual IAF conference. Led by Josh Reinstein, President of the Israel Allies Foundation and Director Knesset Christian Allies Caucus, the visitors are eager to meet with senior Israeli officials on Monday, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, Matan Kahana, Ze'ev Elkin, and Natan Sharansky to name a few.
The Parliamentarians include the minister of technology from Uruguay, Senator Edgar Palacio Mizrahi from Colombia who is running in the May presidential election, and MPs from Finland, Holland, Sweden, Romania, England, Wales, Kenya, and Liberia.
Many of the participants serve as Chairman of the Israel Allies Caucuses in their countries, advancing pro-Israel legislation. Israel Allies Caucuses worldwide focus on legislation against antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and de-legitimization of Israel. This year the conference is focusing on combatting antisemitism, the Iranian nuclear deal, construction in Jerusalem, and the situation in Ukraine.
BJL accompanied the delegation on their informative full-day tour on Sunday, March 20, 2022. The first stop was Jerusalem's Old City and a short visit to the Western Wall. Ir David, with the new underground excavations at the City of David ending at Shiloah Pool, was next.
At lunch at Psagot Winery, Israeli MK Sholom Rothman and Binyamin Regional Council Chairman Israel Gantz spoke with the delegates.
The tour went up to Nabi Samuel with its panoramic views of Jerusalem.
The last stop of the day was at Atatrot, the site of the old Jerusalem airport. Unused because of the proximity of an Arab neighborhood and fear of planes being shot down, it was deserted and became derelict. Recent plans to build Israeli housing, have been halted due to pressure from the current US government and the EU which incorrectly considers it illegal for Israeli building. One will note the Arab village has grown from 7,000 residents to 70,000 with buildings rising high near the security fence.
At Atatarot, former Knesset Speaker and MK Yuli Edelstein joined the group to speak and each signed the proclamation of support. "We support the right of the sovereign State of Israel to build in its indivisible capital of Jerusalem."
The photo essay includes not only the four locations mentioned but views from each site.