50 States One Israel
| Date | September 14–18, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location | Jerusalem, Israel |
| Organized by | Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Participants | 241 American state legislators[1] |
50 States One Israel was a conference held in Israel from September 14, 2025, to September 18, 2025[2] for state legislators from the United States and members of the Israeli government.[3][4] Hosted by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the conference was described as the largest delegation of elected officials to visit Israel.[3] According to Lior Haiat, Deputy Director for North America at the Foreign Ministry, lawmakers including state legislators from all 50 states were in attendance.[3]
Background
US state legislators began receiving invitations to the conference in early May 2025.[5] The conference, including travel, is paid entirely by the Israeli government.[5] According to a July 8, 2025, letter to Oregon Representative David Gomberg sent by Israel's consulate-general to the Northwest, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide "roundtrip economy airfare from New York to Tel Aviv (including domestic U.S. flights to NYC)," and "all in-country transportation, accommodations, meals, and guided programming."[2] Five lawmakers from each state were invited to attend.[6]
Conference
Attendees were scheduled to arrive on September 14, 2025, and depart September 18, 2025.[2]
On September 15, 2025, attendees visited the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.[7] Later, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar urged American lawmakers to pass anti-BDS laws in their states.[8] In the evening, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu gave a welcome address to the delegation.[9][10]
On September 16, 2025, attendees visited communities impacted by the October 7 attacks.[2][11]
On September 17, 2025, President of Israel Isaac Herzog addressed the delegation, saying that Israel's "ironclad bond with the United States of America [exists] because we drink from the same fountain: the values of the Bible".[12]
References
- ^ "Largest-ever delegation of legislators visits the Knesset: 241 Republicans and Democrats from across the United States". Knesset News. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "50 States 1 Israel 2025" (PDF).
- ^ a b c "Largest-ever US delegation of lawmakers visits Israel". The Jerusalem Post. September 15, 2025. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ "Netanyahu: 'If we didn't act, we'd die and the Jewish story would die'". Israel National News. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ a b Opsahl, Kevin (May 21, 2025). "Rio Rancho senator to travel to Israel with nationwide delegation". Rio Rancho Observer. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ Freiberg, Nava (September 7, 2025). "Delegation of 250 US state legislators to head to Israel next week". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
- ^ "Israel Foreign Ministry Post".
- ^ Freiberg, Nava (September 15, 2025). "Sa'ar urges 250 visiting US state legislators to pass Anti-BDS laws in their states". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ Berman, Lazar (September 15, 2025). "Netanyahu and Rubio set to kick off lengthy meeting on Gaza, Qatar". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ "PM Netanyahu's remarks at the 'Fifty States – One Israel' event at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs". September 15, 2025.
- ^ "250 US legislators plant 50 trees in Israel's Park Ofakim". The Jerusalem Post. September 16, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
- ^ "Herzog: Media distorts Israel's 'great contribution to humanity'". JNS.org. September 18, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.