State Attorneys General Missions

Since 1988, the AIFL has sent 42 Attorneys General representing 30 states and one U.S territory to Israel. These missions are co-sponsored by the America-Israel Friendship League, the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, DC, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State of Israel.

These missions are designed to:

1. Acquaint the US State Attorneys General with the political reality in the Middle East through a series of meetings and briefings covering social, economic and political issues relating to Israel and her neighbors

2. Develop a cadre of leaders in the American political community who understand the special and historic relationship between the United States and Israel, and who will join with the AIFL incentive to foster continued and growing relations

3. Develop life-long personal and professional relationships between current and future leaders and opinion molders of both countries

Program alumni include:

U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Gale Norton (AG of Colorado)
United States Senator Mark Pryor (former AG of Arkansas)
Wisconsin Governor James Doyle (former AG of Wisconsin)
Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano (former AG of Arizona)
Oregon Governor Theodore Kulongoski, Oregon Supreme Court
Justice, (former AG of Oregon)
Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire (former AG of
Washington State)
United States Congressman Ben Chandler, of Kentucky
United States Senator Ken Salazar from Colorado

Delaware’s Attorney General, M. Jane Brady, noted that based on her visit to Israel she will “better know how to fight against excessive changes in the Patriot Act, which gives federal law enforcement authorities broader powers to act against terrorism.”

Arizona’s Attorney General, Terry Goddard, expressed his appreciation of the legal system in Israel: “Our conclusion from many interviews and briefings is that the law in Israel is a dynamic partner in governance – far more so than in most countries. Although many disagreed with one or another of the court’s opinions, everyone we talked to respected its independence, integrity and commitment to individual rights.”

Robert Abrams, AIFL VP and Chair of AIFL’s Leadership Mission's Committee accompanies the mission. Mr. Abrams, New York State Attorney General (1978-1994), pointed out that bringing Attorneys General to Israel results in the creation of goodwill ambassadors for Israel:
"My experience has been that, by the end of each mission, those who participate come away not only with a greater appreciation of Israel's problems, but also with admiration and support.”