Our Mission

Building Friendship Based on Common Values

The America-Israel Friendship League, with offices in New York City and Tel Aviv and chapters in Tucson and Salt Lake City, is dedicated to strengthening the ties between the United States and Israel through its people-to-people programs. The AIFL’s exchange programs foster personal connections for which there are and can be no substitute.

The Need

Despite the virtues and values shared by the US and Israel, friendship between peoples separated by thousands of miles can prove difficult in the absence of joint, face-to-face experience.

Media reports that frame Israel through the lens of the Middle East conflict fail to reflect the true nature of Israeli society. Seldom are there reports about Israel’s vibrant culture; spirited democracy; thriving Christian, Muslim, and many other religious communities; and the Jewish State’s pioneering contributions in science, technology, engineering, energy efficiency, health and medical advancement, the environment, and research and development. 

Israel’s record on human rights, assimilation of immigrants and minorities, education and social progress, response to international humanitarian disasters, music, literature, and the visual arts is exemplary and on the cutting edge of progress and innovation.

Israel is always among the first countries to respond when disaster strikes anywhere in the world, be it in Turkey, Japan, Armenia, Sri Lanka, Haiti, Africa, or the United States.

Few Americans are aware of Israeli hospitality, ancient history, and the striking beauty of the land.

AIFL’s many programs, including efforts to educate the media, seek to bring information about the real Israel to the American people.

The Answer

Through its many and diverse delegations, AIFL brings Americans of all religions and ethnic backgrounds to Israel, and similarly diverse groups of Israelis to the United States. These AIFL missions foster personal and emotional connections. No wonder so many participants describe this experience as transformational.

Our Uniqueness Lies in Our Single Agenda

The sole mission of the AIFL is to "promote, foster, and develop mutual friendship and understanding between the people of the United States of America, the people of the State of Israel, and of other countries of the world." (AIFL Certificate of Incorporation, March 29, 1971)

Non-Sectarian

AIFL reaches out to all Americans and Israelis, and its Leadership Missions, Education Exchanges, and other programs attract participants reflecting the diversity of both nations. As a result, AIFL helps to forge alliances that transcend religious, ethnic, political, and geographic boundaries.

Non-Partisan

AIFL does not advocate for Israel. Rather, our programs celebrate the common values and beliefs shared by the United States and Israel, such as free speech, freedom of religion, and the liberty that is concomitant with liberal democracy.