US Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations – which has oversight of State Department programs and funds – announced Sunday that she held a virtual meeting with newly appointed Israeli Ambassador to the United States and United Nations Gilad Erdan.
Meng – who leads the annual initiative to secure funding for US-Israel missile defense programs – spoke with Ambassador Erdan about the importance of maintaining bipartisan support for US-Israel relations, combating anti-Semitism both in the US and around the world, the threat posed by Iran, and the Abraham Accords.
“The strength and vitality of the US-Israel relationship is grounded in strong bipartisan support that transcends both political parties. I was happy to speak with Ambassador Erdan about the importance of this bilateral relationship and to ensure him that Congress will always support Israel’s right to exist peacefully,” said Meng. “In Queens, New York, I am proud to represent many Jewish constituents, many of whom have family members in Israel, and to carry their voices and concerns to Washington, DC. As Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, I look forward to building on my work to strengthen our bilateral relationship. I thank Ambassador Erdan for sharing his views and look forward to hosting him in my district in Queens.”