AMERICA'S ROUNDTABLE

Washington, DC ⏤ December 19, 2023 | Leading lawmakers from the U.S. House and Senate gathered on Capitol Hill during the sixth night of Chanukah on December 12, 2023 to convey support for Israel and the Jewish American community. 

The event was co-sponsored by Speaker Mike Johnson and Chairman Mike Bost, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

The organizing group U.S.-based think tank International Leaders Summit brought together business, media, political, and religious leaders on Capitol Hill to stand in solidarity with Israel, in a time of rising anti-semitism and public hostility against the state of Israel. 

Media groups partnering in this endeavor on Capitol Hill included America’s Roundtable, Jewish News Syndicate, SuperTalk Mississippi Media and Lanser Broadcasting Corporation.

Members of the House and Senate delivered messages of support and affirmed the sacrosanct ties between the United States and Israel.

Distinguished speakers included U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, Chairman Mike Bost, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and US Marine Corps veteran, Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, and Congressmen Don Bacon, Ron Newhouse and Derrick Van Orden, retired US Navy SEAL.

The summit broke ground, hosting the first ever kindling of the Chanukah menorah on Capitol Hill, led by Rabbi Randall Brown, and joined by members of House and the Senate in attendance.

Chairman Mike Bost officially opened the event with his message of strong support for Israel during this challenging time in the Jewish state’s history. 

Chairman Bost and his spouse Tracy Bost have traveled to Israel and the region on several occasions and have established close contacts with leaders in the Middle East.

“What we truly see is a battle between good and evil, between peace and war, between light and darkness,” said Chairman Mike Bost. “We were all shaken to the core by the barbaric acts that were carried out by Iran-backed Hamas on October 7, 2023. We want to pray for the innocent, men, women and children, who were taken hostage, and they are still hostages today including American citizens. There is no doubt that Israel is in its fight for the Jewish state’s very existence. When we hear chants of river to the sea, Hamas has made it clear that their plan continues to be to wipe out Israel from the map. So calling for a cease-fire isn’t good, because they [Hamas] will be back. As long as they exist, as long as they have this drive — a spiritual drive, then our spiritual and moral drive is to protect Israel at all costs. Their mission is not complete, that is why America has to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel as the great nation that we are and the great nation that they are, because we understand peace…We must make sure that we continue to stand righteously with Israel through it all. Our relationship with Israel is going to become stronger.”

Senator Marsha Blackburn has traveled to Israel and has spoken about the significance of the US-Israel relationship. Through her leadership, Senator Blackburn is holding to account America’s universities and their leadership as the nation witnesses a significant spike in anti-Semitism within college environments. As was revealed through the high-profiled hearings on Capitol Hill, prominent universities have devolved into dangerous places for Jewish students and individuals who have communicated support for Israel.

(December 21, 2023 / JNS)

Republican members of Congress joined faith leaders, members of the pro-Israel community in Washington and Jonathan Tobin, editor-in-chief of JNS, to voice impassioned support for Israel at a solidarity meeting on Capitol Hill last week.

Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), a former Navy SEAL, explained to attendees why he felt compelled to travel to Israel just two weeks after Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre.

“In 2014, when I retired from the SEAL teams, I made a solemn promise to the Jewish people that if anything like Oct. 7 were to happen that I would do my best to aid Israel,” he said. “I failed to mention this to my wife.” 

“So when I was bucking to get out of here, she said, ‘Why are you going back into an uncertain combat zone?’” he added. “I told her I made this oath, and then my wife asked me, ‘Why are you still here?’ That is a SEAL team wife.”

Van Orden said that what he saw of the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attacks was “horrific, indescribable, vicious and evil.” He described the advice he gave young Israelis during his trip about the need to confront Hamas.

“Young people your age, Jewish people, are going to be exposed to things that no child should ever have to be exposed to,” Van Orden said. “You’re gonna have to do things that no child should ever have to do. But if you don’t, you will be eradicated as a people.”

The International Leaders Summit, a US-based think tank, is   dedicated to advancing principled policy ideas and pro-growth solutions   based on the foundational rule of law which protects life, liberty and   private property. The public policy organization affirms the US   Constitution, highlights American exceptionalism, advances free market   ideas and economic liberty, free enterprise, and is dedicated to strong   national defense upholding the policy of peace through strength. The   organization’s strategic initiatives are led by a dynamic leadership   board of economists, rule of law experts, and successful reform leaders   comprised of former cabinet members, legislators and business leaders.

America’s Roundtable from Washington, DC,  hosts prominent leaders   from business, government, media and academia  covering economy,   energy, healthcare, technology, security, trade and  the public policy   arena. The program provides timely analysis,  intelligence and  insights.  The co-hosts Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand  Samy joined by  distinguished  guests highlight key policies and events  impacting  America and the  world.

The International Leaders Summit brought together leaders from America, Britain, continental Europe,  India and Israel to its inaugural Jerusalem Leaders Summit event in  2015, affirming the rule of law civilization, based on shared principles  and values. The Fifth Jerusalem Leaders Summit is scheduled for 2024, is a  unique high-level event featuring leading voices who will articulate  principled solutions in addressing the 21st century’s economic concerns,  global threats and security challenges.