Most first trips to Israel don’t begin with a tour of carnage, but Congresswoman Jen Kiggans’ did. In addition to meeting with families of hostages from the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, Kiggans and the other 14 members of Congress on the AIPAC trip spent time at Kibbutz Nir Oz where the group saw first-hand the destruction caused by the terrorists. She also visited the site of the Nova Music Festival where a memorial to the lives lost is now in place.
Jerusalem’s Old City, Yad Vashem, Mt. Herzel where new graves of young soldiers are still fresh, a view from the Golan Heights to understand its strategic importance, stops at kibbutzim in the northern part of Israel to grasp their proximity to Lebanon and Hezbollah, a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Shabbat dinner with President Isaac Herzog, were all part of the fast-paced introduction to Israel.
Back in the United States, Kiggans spoke on the House Floor to “recognize the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship, call on Congress to support Israel now more than ever, and stress the need to defeat Hamas and all Iranian proxies.”
At the Sandler Family Campus, Kiggans discussed the impactful trip, replied to questions, and expressed her commitment to voting to secure funds to assist Israel in protecting itself.
Congresswoman Jen Kiggans visits Sandler Family Campus after first trip to Israel
