During a bipartisan Congressional delegation to Israel led by Speaker Kevin McCarthy (CA-20) in May, as reported by Rockland Daily here, he 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 Leader Jeffries are appointing 12 Members of Congress, including Congressman Mike Lawler, to serve as part of this historic alliance, led by Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08).

"Israel is our closest ally," Congressman Mike Lawler says, "and I will always treasure that special relationship. I was proud to travel to Israel earlier this year for a bipartisan delegation trip during which Speaker McCarthy was the second us speaker in history to address the Knesset. I was honored to be chosen by Speaker McCarthy today to serve on the bipartisan House-Knesset parliamentary friendship group. I look forward to working with my colleagues in that group and continuing to work with my colleagues on the Foreign Affairs committee to strengthen our bonds with this key democratic ally."

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.

“Today, the growing partnership and enduring friendship between Israel and America enters an exciting new chapter,” Speaker McCarthy says. “For the first time in history, the 435 members of the House and the 120 members of the Knesset have a forum to engage directly with one another, seek solutions that benefit our nations, and faithfully represent our peoples’ hopes and dreams together. I look forward to working closely with Speaker Ohana in this effort, which I believe will further foster and strengthen the special relationship between Israel and America.”

“The commitment of the United States Congress to a safe and secure Israel is bipartisan and ironclad,” said Leader Jeffries. The special relationship between our two nations is anchored in our shared democratic values and strategic interests. It is this relationship that the members of the House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group will strengthen as they come together with our Israeli counterparts.”

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

David Kustoff, Chairman

Ann Wagner

Nicole Malliotakis

Anthony D’Esposito

John James

Mike Lawler

Max Miller

Dean Phillips, Ranking Member

Brad Sherman

Kathy Manning

Ritchie Torres