Ten Attorneys General Visit Israel with AIFL:Law Enforcement, Spirituality, and Deep Bonds of Friendship

Before Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin visited Israel this past May, he was expecting his first trip to the Jewish state to afford him a hands-on understanding of the structure of the Israeli government and its relationship with the United States.

When he returned, he said, “It became that and much more.”

Mr. Kilmartin was one of ten attorneys general from across the US who made up a bipartisan delegation to Israel. Their five-day trip this past May, which was sponsored by the America-Israel Friendship League (AIFL), was designed to allow participants to meet with government officials from the Jewish state who briefed them on the latest developments in the Middle East peace process as well as familiarized them with Israel’s legal framework, security issues, and commitment to the rule of law.

Bipartisan Delegation

In addition to Mr. Kilmartin, a Democrat, the participants included Attorneys General Luther Strange III (AL-R), John Suthers (CO-R), Pam Bondi (FL-R), Sam Olens (GA-Ra), Christopher Koster (MO-D), Steve Bullock (MT-D), Gary King (NM-D), E Scott Pruitt (OK-R), and John Van Hollen (WI-R).

During their trip, the four Democrats and six Republicans met with, among others, Israeli President Shimon Peres, Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein, Minister of Justice Yacov Neeman, Supreme Court Justice and former Israeli Attorney General Elyakim Rubenstein, Ambassador and Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Legal Department Arthur Lenk, Minister of Intelligence and Atomic Energy Dan Meridor, Head of the Begin Sadat Institute at Bar Ilan University Prof Efraim Inbar, and Consul General of the American Embassy Andrew Parker.

They did not meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because he was in the United States at the time, but they were taken to Yad Vashem, The Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Authority in Jerusalem.

Law Enforcement Issues

During their meetings with Israeli officials, the most frequently discussed subjects were counter-terrorism techniques and law-enforcement problems affecting both countries such as money laundering and human trafficking.

“It was a particularly interesting time to be in Israel discussing law-enforcement issues because of the ongoing interaction between the US and Israel regarding the peace process in that part of the world,” said Mr. King of New Mexico. “What I learned and the relationships that were established will be used to help me do a better job as Attorney General and further protect the citizens at home.”

Mr. Kilmartin said the participants’ 90-minute meeting with Mr. Peres was one of the highlights of the trip. Asked what message he would like the AGs to bring away from this visit, Mr. Peres said he would encourage them to continue showing “strong support for democracy in America and throughout the world.”

“He, as well as many other Israelis I met, is rightfully proud that Israel is the only true democracy in the Middle East,” said Mr. Kilmartin.

Mr. Koster of Missouri, agreed, declaring that he would value the visit with Mr. Peres “for the rest of my life.”

“The photo with him will have a place of honor in the Attorney-General of Missouri’s Office,” he said.

Supreme Differences

The Rhode Island AG said one of his biggest surprises came while they were touring the Israeli Supreme Court and meeting with Justice Rubenstein: Mr. Kilmartin saw the Atlantic Reporter series of case law—a collection of court cases from New England—in the library.

“Why would an Israeli court have American case law on hand? Because the State of Israel is so young, it seeks precedent from case law established outside its borders,” he said.

 He was surprised to discover that, in contrast to the US Supreme Court, the Israeli Supreme Court accepts every case presented to it; last year, that amounted to some 10,000 cases. Also, in Israel, anyone can file a case, as opposed to the situation in the US, where a plaintiff must have “standing” (a personal interest in the issues of the case) to file suit.

“Israel’s is truly a judicial system that is open and accessible to every Israeli citizen, regardless of race, religion, gender, or country of origin,” said Mr. Kilmartin.

Mr. Suthers of Colorado characterized the Israeli Supreme Court as “fascinating.”

“In our meeting with the attorney-general, there was some candor by some of the lawyers expressing the wish that the Supreme Court would be more selective in choosing the cases it hears, but there was universal admiration for the quality of its fairness,” he said.

 “Lawfare”

The American AGs and their Israeli counterparts also discussed “lawfare,” the use of international law to attack a political opponent on moral grounds, usually in order to win a public relations victory. The Jewish State’s enemies throughout the world have attempted to have Israeli politicians, soldiers, businessmen, and even ordinary citizens arrested abroad, with the intent of having them tried in some sort of international arena. Usually, the Israelis have been informed before landing and either remain on the airplane or simply do not travel to the country in question.

Mr. Koster said that, as the national co-chairman of the Democratic Attorneys-General Association, he has been trying to arrange for the subject of “lawfare” to be discussed at one of the association’s upcoming national conferences.

He pointed out that while Israelis have been forced to deal with the problem of “lawfare” for some time, it is just emerging in the United States.

“It is important that ‘lawfare’ not be painted as a Jewish problem or one affecting only Jews. It is a problem that affects all free people, including the United States,” said Mr. Koster.

Repeat Visits

While this was Mr. Kilmartin’s first trip to Israel, it was the second for Mr. Suthers and the third for Mr. Koster.

“Each time I come, my understanding of Israel, the Mideast, and the world deepens. I have come to love this place, not just the nation and the people and the cities, but also its passion for democracy and vibrancy of culture and business. Makes me feel, like many Americans, a desire for its freedom and advancement,” said Mr. Koster.

Mr. Suthers indicated that repeated trips serve to strengthen not only the connection, but also a grasp of the issues.

“I simply did not understand what was going on until I came the first time, until I saw the Green Line, the [Western] Wall, etc. Coming back only adds to my understanding and appreciation of the issues,” he said.

He maintained that while the vast majority of Americans are supportive of Israel, “the number who fully understand the issues is small.”

“The average American understands that the Mideast is a very dangerous place and that Israel is our greatest ally there,” said Mr. Suthers.

Shabbat Dinner

Despite the heavy academic and professional agenda, the AGs and their guests began their trip on an inspirational note. After arriving in Israel on Friday afternoon, they attended a Shabbat service and dinner hosted by Rabbi Ian and Rachel Pear. Rebbetzin Pear is the daughter of former New York Attorney General Robert Abrams who, as chair of the Delegations Committee of the AIFL, oversees trips to Israel taken by scores of Americans representing a wide variety of professions and leadership roles.

“AIFL brings Americans, representing a wide variety of religious and ethnic backgrounds, to see the miracle of Israel, a nation of extraordinary growth and beauty, thriving despite real existential threats. AIFL mission participants see a nation filled with vibrant cities, impressive infrastructure, great universities, and state-of-the-art medical facilities. But they also see that, despite the headlines, Israel is a country in which Arabs and Jews live and work in harmony. The media likes to focus on the sparks of dissention; we show these American leaders the everyday truth about peaceful Arab-Israeli coexistence,” said Mr. Abrams, who accompanied the AIFL attorneys-general delegation in Israel.

In addition to Mr. Abrams and the attorneys general, the delegation included James McPherson, executive director of the National Association of Attorneys General, and several spouses and guests, for a total of 17 participants.

Spiritual Aspect

The dinner with the Pears did not disappoint any of them.

“The religious and cultural traditions surrounding the dinner were truly inspirational and provided a wonderful beginning to the visit,” said Mr. Kilmartin.

Before leaving for Israel, he had met with students at the Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island in Providence who provided him with an envelope full of notes (kvitlach) that he promised to insert into the cracks of the Kotel, the Western Wall, which is the only remnant of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

“It was my pleasure to place their notes into the Wall in what was one of many moving aspects of the visit,” said Mr. Kilmartin.

Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, Galilee, and elsewhere were also on the itinerary.

Special Relationship

Several of the AGs mentioned that their enthusiasm to participate in the mission was based on the special relationship between the United States and Israel.

“I am deeply honored to represent the State of Alabama and to be among those privileged to extend the hand of America’s friendship to the people of Israel,” said Attorney General Strange. “Alabama has a special link to Israel because of our strong economic development ties, particularly through our space and defense industries.”

Mr. Strange said he was “pleased to be a part of fostering this important relationship between their people and ours.”

Ms. Bondi of Florida agreed. “The intent of the trip was to facilitate a strong understanding of the Israeli government structure and historic relationship between the US and Israel. It succeeded,” she said.

Influential Participants

The AIFL has been sponsoring delegations of state attorneys general to Israel since 1988. More than 40 AGs representing 30 states have visited Israel as part of these trips, including current Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano (when she was Arizona’s AG), Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire, Rep Ben Chandler (D-KY), and US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, who served first as AG and then Senator for Colorado.

“We know that a visit to Israel has incredible influence on how a person views the region and its conflicts, and we hope to expose both current and future decision makers to as much information as possible,” said Ruby Shamir, the executive director of AIFL’s Israel office, pointing out that many AGs go on to pursue high-level positions in state and federal governments. Former President Bill Clinton served as Arkansas AG before he ran for governor.

Kenneth Bialkin, chairman of the AIFL, explained that his organization’s purpose in sponsoring delegations such as the Attorneys General trip to Israel is not to lobby, advocate, or apply influence for any one point of view.

“Our mission is to do our best to get people to understand and appreciate the unique issues that Israel deals with on an ongoing basis. Our goal is to influence friends for Israel,” he said.

Dr. Alex Grobman, AIFL’s Executive Director in New York, said the importance of trips such as the AG delegation can best be measured after some time has passed. “It is hard for Americans, unless they have been there, to fathom Israel’s situation and what Israelis must do to survive in their very tough neighborhood. Gaining an understanding of what Israel’s borders look like, the forces arrayed against them, their rich history, and their place in the geo-political scheme of things will serve these attorneys-general well in the future,” he said.