http://www.iiacf.org/index.php en jordanna.mcmillan@iiacf.org Copyright 2013 2013-05-21T18:35:00+00:00 http://www.iiacf.org/international/iiacf_chairmans_conference/ http://www.iiacf.org/international/iiacf_chairmans_conference/#When:16:24:45Z IIACF Chairman's Conference Budapest, Hungary October 29-31, 2011 International Chairman from Israel Allies Caucuses worldwide will be attending the upcoming IIACF Chairman's Conference in Budapest, Hungary. The Conference will be held over two days at the Hungarian Parliament and will conclude with a press conference. The Chairman will be presenting the various pieces of pro-Israel legislation they have initiated throughout the past year as well as interacting on joint initiatives for the upcoming year. Chairman from each of the Israel Allies Caucuses worldwide are expected to attend, hailing from four different continents and a dozen countries. This event is not open to the public. INTL, USA 2011-10-05T16:24:45+00:00 http://www.iiacf.org/international/south_africa_parliament_member_and_clergyman_makes_the_case_for_israel/ http://www.iiacf.org/international/south_africa_parliament_member_and_clergyman_makes_the_case_for_israel/#When:18:35:00Z LOS ANGELES—Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, a member of the Parliament of South Africa and founder of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), sees irony in how the anti-Israel attitudes of his country’s mainstream politicians are depriving them of benefits the Jewish state could bring them. South Africa parliament member and clergyman makes the case for Israel May 20, 2013  By Peter L Rothholz/JNS.org LOS ANGELES—Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, a member of the Parliament of South Africa and founder of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), sees irony in how the anti-Israel attitudes of his country’s mainstream politicians are depriving them of benefits the Jewish state could bring them. “African politicians who have contaminated water will boycott Israel, whose technology and whose scientists could help bring clean water to the many thousands of Africans who now don’t have it and need it desperately,” Meshoe said in an interview with JNS.org. Meshoe—whose recent U.S. tour included lectures before Jewish and Christian audiences in New York, Florida, Washington, D.C., and California—founded the ACDP in 1993. The party currently has three seats in the national parliament, “one Black, one Afrikaaner and one Englishman,” as Meshoe puts it. Meshoe is confident that in the next South African elections in 2014, his upstart party will become part of a coalition government. When South Africa’s current ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), was founded after the country became independent, one of its listed goals was the “creation of a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.” Yet the party is now aligned against Israel despite a democratic society in the Jewish state that stands in stark contrast to its Middle East neighbors. In an article posted online in the current issue of ANC Today, the late Helen Suzman, who was a leading Jewish opponent of Apartheid, exemplifies this irony by calling Israel “racist” and accusing Israel of “Zionist oppression and dispossession of Palestinians.” South Africa supported the United Nations resolution that created the state of Israel in 1948 and has long enjoyed a cordial relationship with Israel, but tensions between the two nations developed after the Six Day War in 1967. The ANC supports the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement against the Jewish state, and the annual Israeli Apartheid Week was held for the ninth consecutive year in South Africa in March, with the ANC and the South African Trade Unions among the week’s most prominent backers. During his U.S. speaking tour—organized by the Israel Allies Foundation and arranged in association with the pro-Israel education group StandWithUs, among other Jewish groups—Meshoe described what he and other black Africans suffered during South Africa’s Apartheid regime. The suffering included total residential segregation; separate and unequal educational institutions, health services, and transportation; and the denial of voting privileges. “Even in the rare instances when a white doctor agreed to see a black patient, for example, he had to provide separate treatment rooms as well as waiting rooms,” Meshoe told JNS.org. “None of this is true in Israel, where everyone, whether Jew, Muslim or Christian, regardless of race or origin, enjoys equal rights.” “I was born in South Africa 59 years ago and I lived through Apartheid. I can assure you, Israel is no Apartheid state,” he said. Meshoe, a graduate of the University of the North, had been a secondary schoolteacher in an Apartheid school prior to founding the Hope of Glory Tabernacle in 1988. “We’re a very Christian country, and most black South Africans have no problems with Jews or with Israel,” he said. Meshoe characterized current South African President Jacob Zuma and the ANC’s leadership as “bullies.” To counter the government’s BDS campaign, which includes an effort to have all products imported from the West Bank labeled as coming from the “Occupied Palestinian Territories,” Meshoe and his supporters organized a rally of more than 2,000 people who demonstrated in front of the Department of Trade and Industry last June carrying signs and wearing T-shirts reading “Stop Attempts to Crush Israel” on the front and “Africans for Israel” on the back. “People don’t realize how aggressive and pro-Palestinian they are,” Meshoe said of President Zuma and the ANC party. See original source here on the JNS website.  INTL, USA 2013-05-21T18:35:00+00:00 http://www.iiacf.org/international/congressman_brad_sherman_named_new_co-chair_of_congressional_israel_allies_/ http://www.iiacf.org/international/congressman_brad_sherman_named_new_co-chair_of_congressional_israel_allies_/#When:18:01:50Z Representative Brad Sherman (CA-30) has been named the fourth co-Chair of the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus. A legislator with a decade-and-a-half-long record of support for the State of Israel, Sherman joins the bi-partisan pro-Israel body which is jointly headed by Democratic and Republican Congressmen alike, and includes dozens of Congressmen across the political spectrum. PRESS RELEASE - Rep. Doug Lamborn May 20, 2013 Representative Brad Sherman (CA-30) has been named the fourth co-Chair of the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus. A legislator with a decade-and-a-half-long record of support for the State of Israel, Sherman joins the bi-partisan pro-Israel body which is jointly headed by Democratic and Republican Congressmen alike, and includes dozens of Congressmen across the political spectrum. Sherman, who was unanimously selected by Caucus Co-chairs Doug Lamborn (CO-05) Eliot Engel (NY-16) and Trent Franks (AZ-08) said he was honored by the appointment, and pledged to work with his colleagues to strengthen the relationship between the US and Israel. “With so many threats facing Israel, including Iran’s nuclear program, the terrorist threat from Hezbollah and Hamas, and efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel, it is more important than ever to ensure Israel’s security,” he said. A senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Sherman is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.  Since 1997, he has been a prominent supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship, most notably in authoring the United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Act and authoring several major Iran sanctions provisions signed into law over the past decade. “At a time of increasing volatility in the Middle East, we are very excited to further buttress the strong bi-partisan support for the State of Israel in Congress as the voice of the American people," Congressman Lamborn said.  “This appointment signals the unwavering commitment of Congress for the security and safety of the people of Israel as they face ever growing threats in a troubled region.”   “Rep. Sherman's long heritage of being a staunch advocate and supporter of US-Israel relations comports perfectly with the Israel Allies Caucus' commitment to standing with Israel,” Congressman Franks said. “He will be a welcome addition to what stands as the only bi-partisan pro-Israel caucus in the US Congress.” “I congratulate Representative Sherman on becoming a co-chair of the Israel Allies Caucus,” Congressman Engel said.  “Over his career in Congress he has proven his commitment to Israel and its security.  I hope he continues to play a meaningful role through the Caucus in helping to continue the development of the U.S.-Israel relationship.” The only bi-partisan pro-Israel Caucus in Congress, the Caucus spearheads pro-Israel initiatives and legislative efforts to ensure a secure future for the State of Israel. Original source here. USA 2013-05-21T18:01:50+00:00 http://www.iiacf.org/international/article_pro-palestinian_ads_misrepresent_apartheid/ http://www.iiacf.org/international/article_pro-palestinian_ads_misrepresent_apartheid/#When:17:12:59Z The Israel Allies Foundation recently hosted Rev. and MP Kenneth Meshoe in the United States for a speaking tour on the East and West Coast. The following article was published in the San Francisco Examiner as his response to bus ads called for ending aid to Israel on the basis of apartheid. The Israel Allies Foundation recently hosted Rev. and MP Kenneth Meshoe in the United States for a speaking tour on the East and West Coast. The following article was published in the San Francisco Examiner as his response to bus ads called for ending aid to Israel on the basis of apartheid. May 15, 2013 - By: Rev. Dr. Kenneth Meshoe Special To The S.F. Examiner On my recent trip to San Francisco, I was deeply disturbed to learn about the posters in The City accusing Israel of apartheid. As a black South African who lived under apartheid, this system was implemented in South Africa to subjugate people of color and deny them a variety of their rights. In my view, Israel cannot be compared to apartheid in South Africa. Those who make the accusation expose their ignorance of what apartheid really is. Apartheid was a legal system of segregation and oppression based on skin color, with a very small white minority dominating over the vast majority of people of color. As a black South African under apartheid, I, among other things, could not vote, nor could I freely travel the landscape of South Africa. No person of color could hold high government office. The races were strictly segregated at sports arenas, public restrooms, schools and on public transportation. People of color had inferior hospitals, medical care and education. If a white doctor was willing to take a black patient, he had to examine him or her in a back room or some other hidden place. In my numerous visits to Israel, I did not see any of the above. My understanding of the Israeli legal system is that equal rights are enshrined in law. Black, brown and white Jews and the Arab minority mingle freely in all public places, universities, restaurants, voting stations and public transportation. All people have the right to vote. The Arab minority has political parties, serves in the Israeli parliament (Knesset) and holds positions in government ministries, the police force and the security services. In hospitals, Palestinian patients lie in beds next to Israeli Jews, and doctors and nurses are as likely to be Israeli Arabs as Jews. I also understand that an Israeli Arab judge presided over the trial of former Israeli President Moshe Katsav, who was convicted of misconduct. An Ethiopian Jew recently won the title of Miss Israel. None of the above was legally permissible in apartheid South Africa! I believe that it is slanderous and deceptive for Israel’s self-defense measures against the terrorists’ campaign of suicide bombing, rocket attacks and other acts of terrorism that have occurred, and continue to occur, to be labeled as apartheid. I am shocked by the claim that the free, diverse, democratic state of Israel practices apartheid. This ridiculous accusation trivializes the word apartheid, minimizing and belittling the magnitude of the racism and suffering endured by South Africans of color. I urge all people, young people in particular, to visit Israel and learn the facts for themselves so that they can confidently refute these false allegations against Israel. The misapplication of the term apartheid makes a mockery of a grievous injustice and threatens to undermine the true meaning of the term. In my view, Israel is a model of democracy, inclusion and pluralism that can be emulated by many nations, particularly in the Middle East. The Rev. Dr. Kenneth Meshoe is a member of the South African Parliament, the president of the African Christian Democratic Party and the chairman of the South African Israel Allies Caucus. Original Source here INTL, USA 2013-05-20T17:12:59+00:00 http://www.iiacf.org/international/congressmen_blast_un_official_blaming_us_israel_for_boston_attack/ http://www.iiacf.org/international/congressmen_blast_un_official_blaming_us_israel_for_boston_attack/#When:14:47:48Z Chairmen of Congressional Israel Allies Caucus urge Secretary-General Ban to condemn Richard Falk’s ‘odious’ remarks which are ‘deep affront to American people.’ Ynetnews - 04/26/13 The Bipartisan Chairmen of the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus have sent a strongly worded letter to Ban Ki-moon condemning comments by a top UN human rights official about the Boston bombings. UN Human Right's Council Palestine monitor Richard Falk blamed the terror attacks on "American global dominion" and "Tel Aviv." In the letter, Congressmen Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Eliot Engel (NY-16), and Trent Franks (AZ-08) stated: "These malicious and mendacious claims not only justify these heinous terrorist attacks on innocent civilians, but belie the most basic human right – the right to live. They make a mockery of the founding principles of the United Nations and are a deep affront to the American people." In his essay, "A Commentary on the Marathon Murders," published on April 21 in Foreign Policy Journal, Falk warned that "the United States has been fortunate not to experience worse blowbacks, and these may yet happen, especially if there is no disposition to rethink US relations to others in the world, starting with the Middle East. Falk also warned that "(A)s long as Tel Aviv has the compliant ear of the American political establishment, those who wish for peace and justice in the world should not rest easy." The Congressmen urged UN chief Ban to "immediately and publicly condemn these odious and offensive remarks." Original source here. USA 2013-04-26T14:47:48+00:00 http://www.iiacf.org/international/israel_allies_caucus_in_house_calls_for_end_to_anti-israeli_programming/ http://www.iiacf.org/international/israel_allies_caucus_in_house_calls_for_end_to_anti-israeli_programming/#When:17:54:33Z The co-chairmen of the House Israel Allies Caucus today sent a bi-partisan letter to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to “express grave dismay and deep concern” over the recent broadcast of a children’s program on Palestinian Television which included “rabid incitement” against the State of Israel and the Jewish people. WASHINGTON, D.C. - Press Release Co-Chairs Send Letter to Palestinian President Abbas The co-chairmen of the House Israel Allies Caucus today sent a bi-partisan letter to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to "express grave dismay and deep concern" over the recent broadcast of a children's program on Palestinian Television which included "rabid incitement" against the State of Israel and the Jewish people. In their letter, Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Eliot Engel (NY-16), and Trent Franks (AZ-08) "strongly urge" President Abbas to "immediately take whatever actions are necesary to ensure that such messages of hate are never broadcast again and that they end up in the dustbins of history." The letter is in reaction to a Palestinian Television children's show, The Best Home, which recently included a scene in which a young girl recited a poem filled with messages of hate and other libels demonizing Jews. The full text of the letter follows. April 11, 2013 President Mahmoud Abbas Ramallah, West Bank via PLO Delegation to the United States 1732 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington, DC 20007 Dear Mr. President, We are writing to express our grave dismay and deep concern over the recent broadcast of a children’s program on Palestinian Television which included rabid incitement against the State of Israel and the Jewish people. The children's show, The Best Home,  included a scene in which a young girl recited a poem filled with messages of hate and other libels demonizing Jews.  The poem asserted that  Jews, "Allah's enemies, the sons of pigs," defiled the Quran and Jerusalem, and "murdered children," "cut off their limbs," and "raped the women in the city squares.” This mendacious message of vitriol – aimed at the future generation of Palestinians -- not only serves to foster hatred and violence but undermines the very essence of coexistence and peace which you have advocated. Such incitement, which we had hoped was being stopped under your leadership, can only poison the minds of innocent young children instead of promoting coexistence and respect for one another which is a cornerstone for true peace. During Secretary of State Kerry’s just completed trip to Israel and the territories, he correctly cited the need to break down barriers of “mistrust” as a condition for peace-making.  In that spirit, we strongly urge you to immediately take whatever actions are necessary to ensure that such messages of hate are never broadcast again and that they end up in the dustbins of history. Sincerely yours, Doug Lamborn                                  Eliot L. Engel                                      Trent Franks Co-Chairs, Israel Allies Caucus                                                    ##### The Israel Allies Caucus is the only bipartisan, pro-Israel caucus in Congress. The Caucus spearheads pro-Israel initiatives and legislative efforts to ensure a secure future for the State of Israel. The caucus is dedicated to educating Members and staff on current events, administration policies and regional issues related to Israel. USA 2013-04-12T17:54:33+00:00 http://www.iiacf.org/international/rep._doug_lamborn_bipartisan_letter_to_president_obama_to_further_support_i/ http://www.iiacf.org/international/rep._doug_lamborn_bipartisan_letter_to_president_obama_to_further_support_i/#When:19:21:49Z PRESS RELEASE - On the eve of President Obama’s trip to Israel, Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) and a bipartisan group of more than a dozen Members of Congress sent a letter to President Obama applauding his decision to see an Iron Dome battery in person and calling for him to support increased funding for the missile defense program. Press Release from Rep. Doug Lamborn On the eve of President Obama's trip to Israel, Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) and a bipartisan group of more than a dozen Members of Congress sent a letter to President Obama applauding his decision to see an Iron Dome battery in person and calling for him to support increased funding for the missile defense program. From the letter: "Due to the recent success of the program, which can only help to stabilize events in the region, we strongly urge you to propose increasing funding for Iron Dome in your fiscal year 2014 budget proposal. We should increase our support of Iron Dome because it is saving lives and many of us in Congress would support doing so. "Such a move would speak volumes about your commitment to the safety and the security of the State of Israel." To view the letter, click here. Note: Congressman Lamborn is the Co-Chairman of the Israel Allies Caucus, the only bipartisan, pro-Israel caucus in Congress. The Caucus spearheads pro-Israel initiatives and legislative efforts to ensure a secure future for the State of Israel. The caucus is dedicated to educating Members and staff on current events, administration policies and regional issues related to Israel. Find the original source here along with Jerusalem Post coverage here.  USA 2013-03-18T19:21:49+00:00 http://www.iiacf.org/international/iaf_sponsors_israel_allies_caucus_lunch_series/ http://www.iiacf.org/international/iaf_sponsors_israel_allies_caucus_lunch_series/#When:20:55:10Z Earlier this week, the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus invited Dr. Jonathan Schanzer of the FDD to brief Congressional Staff on his latest trip to Israel.  The lunch briefing was the first in a series to be hosted by the Israel Allies Caucus, and sponsored by the IAF, for the purpose of educating staff on the greatest security threats facing Israel today. March 15, 2013 - Earlier this week, the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus invited Dr. Jonathan Schanzer of the FDD to brief Congressional Staff on his latest trip to Israel.  The lunch briefing was the first in a series to be hosted by the Israel Allies Caucus, and sponsored by the IAF, for the purpose of educating staff on the greatest security threats facing Israel today. The topic of the March 11th briefing was “Hezbollah in Southern Israel: an imminent threat to Israel."  While on a trip to Israel earlier in the year, Dr. Schanzer had a series of high-level meetings with Israel’s top security personnel.  The Lunch Briefing on the Hill provided an opportunity for Dr. Schanzer to speak directly to Congressional Staff regarding how top Israeli officials perceive the threat of a heavily armed terrorist organization on Israel’s northern border.  “This is the forgotten front,” Schanzer warned. “There is a war brewing in Southern Lebanon…and as foreign policy professionals it is our job to get out in front of these issues."  Attended by 30+ Congressional staff from both sides of the aisle, Dr. Schanzer engaged in an informal dialogue with the staff, encouraging questions and offering himself as a resource to the Congressional Offices. ------------ This lunch was the first of the IAF-sponsored lunch briefing series held on the Hill together with Dr. Jonathan Schanzer. USA 2013-03-15T20:55:10+00:00 http://www.iiacf.org/international/congressional_israel_allies_caucus_reception_2013/ http://www.iiacf.org/international/congressional_israel_allies_caucus_reception_2013/#When:20:19:41Z Thirty Members of Congress, including several freshmen, joined leaders from the Jewish and Christian communities on Capitol Hill last week for a reception hosted by the Israel Allies Foundation.  The reception was held to mark the launch of the bipartisan Congressional Israel Allies Caucus in the new Congress, a caucus that has existed since 2006 and remains the only bipartisan pro-Israel caucus in the United States Congress. Washington - Thirty Members of Congress, including several freshmen, joined leaders from the Jewish and Christian communities on Capitol Hill last week for a reception hosted by the Israel Allies Foundation.  The reception was held to mark the launch of the bipartisan Congressional Israel Allies Caucus in the new Congress, a caucus that has existed since 2006 and remains the only bipartisan pro-Israel caucus in the United States Congress.  The Israel Allies Caucus was formed seven years ago to promote bipartisan support for Israel and it has succeeded in that mission, year after year, by attracting Members who understand how important it is that Israel remains a bipartisan issue.  Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY), founding Democrat co-Chair of the Israel Allies Caucus, addressed the crowd and pointed to the Palestinian’s refusal to recognize the Jewish State as a fundamental barrier to peace.  Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ) touted that despite Israel’s many challenges “Israel is still the toughest kid on the block” – a remark that received loud applause from the 100 plus guests in attendance.  Congressman Doug Lamborn (R-CO) addressed the grave importance of the Iron Dome project and warned that the looming sequestration cuts could endanger funding to critical defense projects like the Iron Dome missile defense system, which saved the lives of countless Israeli civilians during last year’s Pillar of Defense operation. The Congressional Israel Allies Caucus was founded by former Congressman Dave Weldon, a Republican from Florida and Evangelical Christian, and Congressman Eliot Engel, a Jewish Democrat from New York, to foster not only bipartisan ties, but also to demonstrate that the Judeo-Christian values that bind Americans trump partisan politics. That was the resounding message at the Caucus Reception, as Democrats and Republicans from all over the United States, from across the political spectrum, gathered to show that when it comes to Israel the United States House of Representatives speaks in one voice.  As the threats to Israel continue to mount in the Middle East, this message of a united front in Congress serves as a potent deterrent to Israel’s enemies.  As distinguished guest at the reception, Barukh Binah, Israel’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington, put it: “Israel and the U.S. stand together, and everyone in the Middle East knows it." The mission of the Foundation behind the Caucus, the Israel Allies Foundation (IAF), is to strengthen the Israel Allies Caucus in the U.S. and 20 Caucuses scattered around the world.  “We at the Israel Allies Foundation believe that the best thing for Israel is a strong, united U.S. Congress that speaks in one voice in support of Israel,” stated IAF Executive Director Willem Griffioen. As such, the IAF encourages Members to reach across the aisle on Israel issues.  The IAF works with Congress on broad consensus, bipartisan initiatives like recognizing undivided Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital and relocating the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.  While other organizations in D.C. have had a polarizing effect on the debate in Washington, pitting Democrats against Republicans, and incentivizing Members of Congress to abandon their traditional support of Israel, the Israel the Israel Allies Foundation seeks to build on the Judeo Christian values that each of the Caucus Members share. “Being pro-Israel is an American value, founded firmly in this country’s rich Judeo-Christian heritage… the U.S. was rightly the first country to recognize Israel in 1948 and today there are an unprecedented number of Americans - Democrats, Republicans, Jews and Christians - involved in pro-Israel organizations,” stated IAF Director of Outreach, Jordanna McMillan.  That was the resounding message at the event as spiritual leaders from various Jewish and Christian denominations and organizations mingled with pro-Israel Members of Congress, all answering the same call to stand up for the Jewish State of Israel. By Enia Krivine, Director of Congressional Affairs USA 2013-02-14T20:19:41+00:00 http://www.iiacf.org/international/iaf_holds_briefing_on_outcome_of_the_israeli_elections_in_the_eu_parliament/ http://www.iiacf.org/international/iaf_holds_briefing_on_outcome_of_the_israeli_elections_in_the_eu_parliament/#When:21:11:58Z Last Thursday, a number of EU Parliamentarians together with 50 people gathered in the Brussels parliamentary building for a briefing on the outcome of the Israeli elections by renowned Jerusalem Post journalist, Gil Hoffman. The event, hosted by the Israel Allies Foundation’s European office based in Brussels, was also well attended by parliamentary staff, a number of distinguished guests, and Israel’s Ambassador to the EU, Amb. David Saranga. MEP Bastiaan Belder, member of the EU-Israel Allies Caucus, chaired the session. Brussels - Last Thursday, a number of EU Parliamentarians together with 50 people gathered in the Brussels parliamentary building for a briefing on the outcome of the Israeli elections by renowned Jerusalem Post journalist, Gil Hoffman. The event, hosted by the Israel Allies Foundation’s European office based in Brussels, was also well attended by parliamentary staff, a number of distinguished guests, and Israel's Ambassador to the EU, Amb. David Saranga. MEP Bastiaan Belder, member of the EU-Israel Allies Caucus, chaired the session. Hoffman’s presentation centered around examining the interesting rise of moderate and left wing parties in the newly elected Israeli government, despite the predicted outcome of a right-wing sweep. The international community’s expectation of a strengthened right-wing camp in Israel was based upon the idea that the threat of war would drive the public opinion in the nationalistic, right-wing direction. The second indicator was the rise of Naftali Bennett’s “Habayit Hayehudi” party – which received very positive polling before the elections. According to Hoffman there were 3 major trends in Israeli society, which received prominent places in the parties’ campaigns and made all the difference between the west’s predictions of the outcome and how Israelis would actually vote. Besides issues pertaining to the relation between state and religion and the system of the state itself, ultimately, the most important factor in the elections was the economy. Hoffman reminded the session that these elections came only a year and a half after 300,000 people protested in the streets for improvements in the socio-economic sector, a development that was clearly mirrored in the election turnout. Even right-wing voters were willing to cast their ballot on center-left parties for their stance on this topic, thus prioritizing socio-economic issues over issues of war, peace and security. In conclusion, Hoffman felt that Israelis took steps to improve their own country and society in this election, that they voted as “a normal country.” Some facts about the new Knesset: • 55 members of Parliament were voted out (that’s nearly one half of the parliament) • There are a record 27 women in the new Knesset. • The 19th Knesset received a new influx of professionals Written and compiled by Josias Terschüren, IAF European Coordinator INTL, USA 2013-02-11T21:11:58+00:00