Kustoff Named Chairman of House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) named Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN) Chairman of the House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group. During a bipartisan congressional delegation to Israel, Speaker McCarthy committed to forming a Parliamentary Friendship Group with the Israeli Knesset. Now, following last week’s Joint Meeting of Congress with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Speaker McCarthy and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) are appointing 12 members of Congress to serve as part of this historic alliance, led by Congressman Kustoff.

"I am honored to be appointed Chairman of the House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group,” said Congressman Kustoff. "I applaud Speaker McCarthy for establishing this group tasked with strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship and building a better understanding of our two democracies. Now more than ever, it is imperative we show the rest of the world that the United States stands firmly with our greatest friend and ally in the Middle East, Israel. I look forward to working with my colleagues on this important initiative."

“I am proud to appoint Congressman David Kustoff as chairman of the House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group," said Speaker McCarthy. "Since coming to Congress, David has acted and spoken forcefully about the need to support Israel on a bipartisan basis and condemn anti-semitism, which is unfortunately on the rise. Today, as the co-chair of the House Republican Israel Caucus, he is leading the efforts to strengthen our relationship with Israel. I am confident that his leadership on the House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group will further bolster our bonds with Israel, build mutual understanding, and forge a brighter future for our two democracies.”

Background:
During his historic trip to Israel in May, Speaker McCarthy and Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana signed a joint pledge to establish a mutual friendship group that memorializes the special relationship between Israel and America and further strengthens it. Members of this Group will be able to engage more directly with Israel’s Knesset, continue to travel to Israel on a bipartisan basis, and host Knesset members who travel to America.

The following Members will serve on the House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group: 

David Kustoff, Chairman (R-TN)
Ann Wagner (R-MO)
Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY)
Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY)
John James (R-MI)
Mike Lawler (R-NY)
Max Miller (R-OH)
Dean Phillips, Ranking Member (D-MN)
Brad Sherman (D-CA)
Kathy Manning (D-NC)
Ritchie Torres (D-NY)
Nikema Williams (D-GA)
 

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