{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://fedorchak.house.gov/media/press-releases/fedorchak-concludes-bipartisan-congressional-delegation-visit-israel", "Fedorchak concludes bipartisan congressional delegation visit to Israel", "2025-08-15", "2025", "2025-08", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Julie Fedorchak", "F000482", "fedorchak.house.gov", "fedorchak", "https://fedorchak.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Bismarck, N.D. \u2013 Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-N.D.) returned this week from a bipartisan congressional delegation visit to Israel, where she met with Israeli leaders, defense officials, and citizens to gain firsthand understanding of the country\u2019s security challenges, historical significance, and partnership with the United States.\n\n\u201cTraveling to Israel and seeing its challenges was an invaluable experience,\u201d Fedorchak said. \u201cFrom walking ancient streets to hearing from leaders, soldiers, and everyday citizens, I saw how these determined people protect their way of life against constant threats. This trip reinforced for me that America\u2019s security is tied to Israel\u2019s security\u2014and I return to Congress with a deeper understanding of how that partnership supports the safety, energy security, and prosperity of North Dakota and our entire nation.\u201d\n\nOver the course of seven days, Fedorchak participated in high-level briefings on regional threats, saw U.S.-Israel defense cooperation in action, and met with survivors of the October 7 Hamas attacks.\n\nImage\n\nImage\n\nThe trip began with a deep dive into Jerusalem\u2019s thousands of years of layered history and significance as a spiritual center for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.\n\nIn the evening, the delegation heard from Yaakov Katz, former editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post, on Israel\u2019s domestic climate and evolving security challenges nearly two years after the October 7 terrorist attack. A late-night visit to the City of David revealed ancient pilgrimage roads and archeological sites dating back more than 2,000 years.\n\n\u201cJerusalem\u2019s history is alive in every stone,\u201d Fedorchak said. \u201cYou can feel the weight of faith, resilience, and sacrifice here. It\u2019s impossible not to see how this city\u2019s story still shapes our world today.\u201d\n\nImage\n\nDay two began with a strategic briefing from Brig. Gen. (Res.) Nitzan Nuriel on Israel\u2019s \u201cseven-front war,\u201d covering threats from Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, Syria, Yemen\u2019s Houthis, and beyond.\n\nAt an Israeli military base, Fedorchak met with the commander of the Arrow Interceptors and Launch Array Department to see the Arrow-3 missile defense system\u2014developed jointly by the U.S. and Israel and funded in part by Congress. The system successfully intercepted a missile from Yemen the night before the visit, underscoring its real-time role in protecting civilians.\n\nThe delegation also toured Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the war in Gaza and U.S.-Israel cooperation, and received additional briefings from former heads of Israel\u2019s air defense and military intelligence on Iran\u2019s role in fueling regional instability.\n\nImage\n\nImage\n\nThe next day, the delegation explored Jerusalem\u2019s Old City, including the Southern Wall excavations, the Western Wall\u2014where Fedorchak joined the tradition of leaving a prayer note\u2014and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity\u2019s holiest sites.\n\nLater, the group met with Opposition Leader Yair Lapid for a candid discussion about Israel\u2019s political landscape and prospects for peace. At Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the delegation saw next-generation technologies like the Iron Beam laser defense system and counter-drone capabilities\u2014innovations that not only protect Israel but also contribute to U.S. defense readiness.\n\n\u201cThe defense technology Israel is developing and testing in real time combat situations with the U.S. doesn\u2019t just protect Israelis\u2014it protects American troops, too,\u201d Fedorchak said. \u201cSeeing it up close makes clear why this relationship is mutually beneficial.\u201d\n\nImage\n\nThe delegation traveled north on day four to visit sacred Christian locations around the Sea of Galilee, including Magdala, the Mount of Beatitudes, and the Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter.\n\nThey then moved to the Golan Heights, where dormant volcanic peaks overlook Syria and Lebanon. There, security experts explained the proximity of Hezbollah positions and Syrian instability, giving Fedorchak a direct view of the challenges Israel faces in defending its borders. Lunch with IDF soldiers and a meeting with humanitarian workers highlighted the intersection of security and aid efforts.\n\nImage\n\nIn southern Israel, the delegation visited towns and communities ravaged by the October 7 Hamas attacks. Fedorchak walked through burned homes, met survivors of the brutal attack who lost family members trying to defend their own homes, and saw the Nova Music Festival site where 400 young people were murdered, kidnapped, or injured.\n\nThe visit included a tree-planting ceremony to honor the victims\u2014a solemn reminder of the stakes of U.S. support for Israel\u2019s right to defend itself.\n\n\u201cThere is no substitute for seeing the aftermath with your own eyes,\u201d Fedorchak said. \u201cThe grief is deep, but so is the Israeli people\u2019s hope and determination to survive. That resilience is something I will never forget. And their hope is evident in the large number of children and families that are everywhere in public places.\u201d\n\nImage\n\nImage\n\nIn Bethlehem, which is controlled by Palestinians, Fedorchak visited the Church of the Nativity, believed to be the birthplace of Jesus.\n\nThat evening, she met with the brother of a Nova Festival hostage still held in Gaza, hearing firsthand the anguish of families waiting for loved ones\u2019 return. The night concluded with a performance by a survivor from Kibbutz Be\u2019eri who lost both parents in the October 7 attack and has since turned to music as a way to share his story and inspire resilience.\n\nImage\n\nOn the final day of the trip, the delegation met with President Isaac Herzog at his residence in Jerusalem for a wide-ranging conversation about the war in Gaza, the need to strengthen Israel\u2019s security partnerships, and opportunities for peace in the region. President Herzog emphasized the importance of bipartisan support from the United States and expressed gratitude for America\u2019s role in helping Israel defend itself against terrorism.\n\nFedorchak also met with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who provided a candid assessment of the U.S.-Israel relationship from a diplomatic standpoint. Ambassador Huckabee discussed how congressional engagement directly impacts Israel\u2019s ability to deter threats, the role of American leadership in countering Iran\u2019s influence, and the ongoing coordination between the two nations on military and intelligence matters.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T14:57:50Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://fedorchak.house.gov/media/press-releases/fedorchak-concludes-bipartisan-congressional-delegation-visit-israel"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7982989773154259, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}