Regional Director Scott Levin joined with ADL National Director Abe Foxman, key lay leaders and national staff, for a week long trip to Israel.  This was Levin’s first trip to Israel and he found it a very meaningful experience.  Participants in the trip met with Israeli government officials, including Tsipi Livni (Head of the Kadima Party), Danny Ayalon (Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Ambassador to the United States), and Daniel Taub (Israel’s newly appointed Ambassador to the United Kingdom and former Principal Deputy Legal Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).  The group also met with editors of the principal newspapers in Israel, the Governor of the Bank of Israel, an advisor to Quartet Representative Tony Blair and prominent Palestinian businesspersons. Levin commented, “For the work that I do on a daily basis as Director of the Mountain States Region, the trip was invaluable. As I continually ponder the intersection of criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism, I know my work will be greatly benefited from insights I gained on this trip.”  Levin acknowledged that his insights came from not only witnessing first hand the geography of Israel, but also from being able to meet and speak with politicians, journalists and others that either shape or comment on policy in Israel.

In between their high level meetings, participants toured much of the country.  Their visit included a tour or Independence Hall in Tel Aviv, the Golan Heights, Jenin and additional portions of the West Bank, Tiberius and the Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem’s Old City, the Israel Museum, Masada, the Dead Sea, and Israel’s Knesset and Supreme Court.