Difference between revisions of "Israel Allies Foundation"
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| − | The [[Israel Allies Foundation]] (IAF) is an Israel lobby organisation that exists to enlist the support of Christian lawmakers around the world for Israel. The organisation was founded by MK member Rabbi [[Binyamin Elon]] and [[Uri Bank]].<ref> Lahav Harkov, [http://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Bennett-endorses-US-born-primary-candidate-Uri-Bank-385819 Bennett endorses US-born primary candidate Uri Bank], Jerusalem Post, 26 December 2014, accessed 12 October 2015 </ref> According to the IAF website the organisation 'works with Congress and parliaments around the world to mobilize political support for Israel based on Judeo-Christian values. The Foundation is dedicated to the purpose of promoting communication and information sharing between parliamentarians and legislators the world over who share a belief that the State of Israel has the right to exist in peace within secure borders.'<ref name ="About the Israel Allies Foundation">Israel Allies Foundation Website [http://www.israelallies.org/usa/about/ Community of the Month]. Accessed 27 April 2015.</ref> | + | The [[Israel Allies Foundation]] (IAF) is an Israel lobby organisation that exists to enlist the support of Christian lawmakers around the world for Israel. The organisation was founded by MK member Rabbi [[Binyamin Elon]] and [[Uri Bank]].<ref> Lahav Harkov, [http://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Bennett-endorses-US-born-primary-candidate-Uri-Bank-385819 Bennett endorses US-born primary candidate Uri Bank], Jerusalem Post, 26 December 2014, accessed 12 October 2015 </ref> According to the IAF website the organisation 'works with Congress and parliaments around the world to mobilize political support for Israel based on Judeo-Christian values. The Foundation is dedicated to the purpose of promoting communication and information sharing between parliamentarians and legislators the world over who share a belief that the State of Israel has the right to exist in peace within secure borders.'<ref name ="About the Israel Allies Foundation">Israel Allies Foundation Website [http://www.israelallies.org/usa/about/ Community of the Month]. Accessed 27 April 2015.</ref> In 2014 co-founder Uri Bank described the objectives of the IAF: 'Evangelical Christians are powerful in their countries and they love Israel, but they haven’t been taught how to leverage that in our favor..That is what we’re doing.'<ref name ="endorsement"> Lahav Harkov, [http://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Bennett-endorses-US-born-primary-candidate-Uri-Bank-385819 Bennett endorses US-born primary candidate Uri Bank], Jerusalem Post, 26 December 2014, accessed 12 October 2015 </ref> |
==Activities== | ==Activities== | ||
Revision as of 12:12, 13 October 2015
The Israel Allies Foundation (IAF) is an Israel lobby organisation that exists to enlist the support of Christian lawmakers around the world for Israel. The organisation was founded by MK member Rabbi Binyamin Elon and Uri Bank.[1] According to the IAF website the organisation 'works with Congress and parliaments around the world to mobilize political support for Israel based on Judeo-Christian values. The Foundation is dedicated to the purpose of promoting communication and information sharing between parliamentarians and legislators the world over who share a belief that the State of Israel has the right to exist in peace within secure borders.'[2] In 2014 co-founder Uri Bank described the objectives of the IAF: 'Evangelical Christians are powerful in their countries and they love Israel, but they haven’t been taught how to leverage that in our favor..That is what we’re doing.'[3]
Contents
Activities
Jerusalem Day
The IAF takes part in annual celebrations of 'Jerusalem Day' - an Israeli holiday celebrating the conquest of Jerusalem during the Six Day War. In 2013 the Jerusalem Post reported that IAF supporters in Jerusalem, Washington and Brussels would celebrate together via video conference.
Hannu Takkula, the chairman of the European Parliament’s Israel Allies Caucus commented:
- "It is fantastic to have this connection with our American and Israeli counterparts through the Israel Allies Foundation,” he said. “In the future, we will no doubt use modern means of communication more and more to celebrate Jerusalem as the undivided capital of the Jewish State of Israel.”
Binyamin Elon, president of the Israel Allies Foundation, stated that:
- "High-profile parliamentarians and congressmen in Washington, Europe and elsewhere around the world are celebrating together the historical date of the reunification of Jerusalem,” he said, “and at the same time they are trying to do their best to relocate their embassies to Jerusalem through legislation. This is big encouragement for Israel and shows how important the work of the Israel Allies Foundation is as it continues to unite politicians of faith on behalf of Israel."[4]
Parliamentarian Tours
In 2013, IAF organised a tour of the Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank for European MEPs, including Roger Helmer, an MEP with the UK Independence Party, in response to the EU’s decision to stop financing activities undertaken in Israeli settlements.[5]
The following year, the IAF coordinated a ‘fact-finding mission’ in Israel for members of the US Congress.[6]
Berlin Summit
From the 7th to the 9th of November 2015 the IAF will hold its Israel Allies European Summit in Berlin. Reportedly attendees will include Members of the Bundestag, the Israeli Knesset and the U.S. Congress.[7]
Member Nations
Brazil (Caucus Chair: Deputada Fatima Pelaes)
Canada (Caucus Chair: MP James Lunney)
European Union (Caucus Chair: Finnish MEP Hannu Takkula)
Germany (Caucus Chair: MP Klaus Brähmig)
Ghana (Caucus Chair: MP Benjamin T. Antiedu)
Israel (Caucus Chair: MK David Rotem & MK Gila Gamliel)
Hungary (Caucus Chair: MP Istvan Hiller)
Italy (Caucus Chair: Senator Lucio Malan)
Japan (Caucus Chair: TBA)
Nicaragua (Caucus Chair: MP Guillerno Osorno)
Paraguay (Caucus Chair: Deputy Juan Artemio Barrios)
The Philippines (Caucus Chair: Senator Alan Cayetano)
Sierra Leone (Caucus Chair: Sahr N. Fasuluku)
South Africa (Caucus Chair: TBD)
South Korea (Caucus Chair: TBD)
Switzerland (Caucus Chair: MP Erich von Siebenthal
United Kingdom (Caucus Chair: MP David Burrowes)
United States (Caucus Chair: Co-Chaired by Rep Eliot Engel, Rep. Doug Lamborn, Rep. Brad Sherman & Rep. Trent Franks)
(Uruguay Caucus Chair: Senator Ruperto Long)
People
Staff Circa 2015
Rabbi Binyamin Elon (Chairman) | Willem Griffioen (Executive Director) | Josh Reinstein (Director of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus) | EJ Kimball (Director of US Operations) | Daniel Williams (Chief Strategy Officer) | Jordanna McMillan (Director of Outreach & Development) | Aaron Menenberg (Congressional Affairs Fellow) | Leopoldo Martínez (Latin America Coordinator) | Chelsea Migner (Administrative and Project Coordinator) | Rachel Naparstek (Assistant to the Director of the KCAC) | András Pátkai (European Director) | Josias Terschüren (European Coordinator)
Funding and Finances
Reportedly the IAF has an annual budget of more than $1.7 billion.[8]
The IAF has received funding from the following organisations: Abstraction Fund, Cherna Moskowitz Foundation, Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation, Melody of my Heart Ministries, the Newton and Rochelle Becker Charitable Trust and the Thomas Jefferson Rosenberg Foundation.
| Revenue and Assets of the American branch of the Israel Allies Foundation in $[9] | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2012 | Total 2008-2013 | |||||||
| Total Revenue | 257,610 | 312,331 | 240,303 | 1,066,890 | 1,232,483 | 3,109,617 | ||||||
| Net Assets | 86,208 | 249,539 | 33,366 | 140,325 | 70,634 | 580,072 | ||||||
Notes
- ↑ Lahav Harkov, Bennett endorses US-born primary candidate Uri Bank, Jerusalem Post, 26 December 2014, accessed 12 October 2015
- ↑ Israel Allies Foundation Website Community of the Month. Accessed 27 April 2015.
- ↑ Lahav Harkov, Bennett endorses US-born primary candidate Uri Bank, Jerusalem Post, 26 December 2014, accessed 12 October 2015
- ↑ Gil Hoffman, US, Israeli, EU lawmakers to call for united J'lem, Jerusalem Post, 3 June 2013, accessed 4 May 2015
- ↑ Israel Allies Foundation Website European Parliament Israel Allies Caucus members Magdi Allam and Roger Helmer tackle EU guidelines. Accessed 9 October 2015.
- ↑ Gil Hoffman, 'Pro-Israel congressional caucus to meet Knesset Christian Allies Caucus', The Jerusalem Post, 19 February 2014, accessed 9 October 2015
- ↑ Israel Allies Foundation Website Israel Allies European Summit. Accessed 4 May 2015.
- ↑ sputniknews.com Report Says Israel’s Image-Improving Attempts Reach 'Point of Surrealism'. Accessed 4 May 2015.
- ↑ Data compiled from filings of Form 990s 2009 - 2012.
