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As part of the exclusive benefits for our valued donors, IAG sends out newsletters that provide deep and personal insights from Michael Oren. Due to the importance and the unique perspective offered, we will be publishing excerpts in this section.
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NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2024
Global Advocacy Efforts: Keeping Israel in the Forefront
Ambassador Michael Oren
Defending Israel During Uncertain Times
As Israel continues to defend itself on multiple fronts of this war, the Israel Advocacy Group remains active in its critical mission of defending the Jewish State in the world. Since October 7th, calls to delegitimize Israel and the IDF have only grown, and antisemitism around the world has spiked dramatically. Through strategic media appearances and international initiatives, we remain determined to raise public awareness and fortify Israel’s legitimacy.
Inspiring Advocates and Engaging Internationally
In early August, Ambassador Oren was invited to speak at the Israel on Campus Coalition Summit in Washington D.C., where he met with hundreds of pro-Israel student activists. There, he heard from students about their experiences and addressed how they can better arm themselves on the front lines of the fight for truth.
The next stop was in Colombia, a country whose president, Gustavo Petro, recently cut diplomatic ties with Israel. It is imperative that we foster and strengthen the pro-Israel voices in that country and throughout Central and South America. For that reason, Amb. Oren addressed the Confederation of Jewish Communities of Colombia and the heads of the major Jewish organizations operating south of America’s borders. He also met with Former Colombian President Ivan Duque, and with leading Presidential candidate Juan Manuel, both of whom are leading supporters of Israel. In Bogota, Amb. Oren interviewed with Colombia’s leading print, TV, and radio outlets
Finally, Amb. Oren arrived in Berlin, Germany, where he participated in a two-day series of meetings with about 80 senior representatives of the German Parliament (Bundestag), including members of its Economic, Foreign Affairs, and Defense Committees. During these discussions, Oren stressed the importance of the historic and strategic alliance between Germany and Israel. Following October 7th, Germany had refused to deliver military equipment to Israel, contrary to their post-war pledge to always stand by the Jewish state. Immediately after Amb. Oren’s visit German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that Germany will resume shipments of vital arms and ammunition to Israel. Amb. Oren is grateful for the opportunity to meet with Parliament and will continue to monitor the resumption of German arms exports to Israel.



It is imperative that we foster and strengthen the pro-Israel voices in a country that is increasingly antagonistic to Israel.
IAG Brings the Second Delegation of Residents of Northern Israel to D.C.

Building off of the successful June delegation, IAG executed this timely Track II diplomatic initiative in mid-September. We brought a group of four residents of northern Israel to meet with Congress Members from both Houses and both parties, Jewish American leaders, international diplomats, and senior officials at the White House. The delegation consisted of community leaders from different socioeconomic backgrounds and ethnicities
Similar to the previous delegation, the objective was to raise awareness about Israel’s security, political, and diplomatic situation. The relentless Hezbollah rocket and drone fire has rendered much of the Upper Galilee region uninhabitable and driven nearly 100,000 civilians from their homes. The delegation asked their American allies to be aware of the intolerable situation in Israel’s north and to support them in defending their land and people.
By bringing these civilian stories directly to leaders, IAG was able to accomplish its goals successfully. Over the course of five days, the delegation met with sixteen Members of Congress and Senate from both parties and diplomats from thirty-one countries. The first day coincided with the news of Hezbollah operatives’ pager explosions which allowed a unique opportunity for Amb. Oren to answer questions from politicians and diplomats regarding the larger regional impact.
At the conclusion of the meetings on the Hill they headed to the White House for a meeting with senior officials of the administration who were moved by the stories of the delegation members.


The objective was to raise awareness about Israel’s security, political, and diplomatic situation

By bringing these civilian stories directly to leaders, IAG was able to fully accomplish its goals


IAG partnered with the American Jewish Committee to host the delegates in briefing senior diplomats from thirty-one countries. The diplomats asked many questions and expressed appreciation at the opportunity to hear Amb. Oren’s insights and the perspectives of the delegation members.
IAG joined the Israel-American Council Summit. The delegation concluded its visit in Washington with presentations to nearly 3,000 participants at the IAC Summit – the largest pro-Israel gathering in North America – where Amb. Oren, along with members of the delegation, outlined the importance of advocating for the north and its displaced residents.


Northern Israel Emergency Fund
Through our involvement with the situation in the north, IAG received urgent requests for emergency equipment. In response, IAG helped raise nearly $250,000 for the purchase of medical equipment, security drones, scopes, fire fighting systems. Most crucially, IAG was able to finance and deliver some 125 bomb-proof barriers for reserve soldiers guarding northern communities.
Speaking Events
Defending Israel in the Media
Over the past three months Ambassador Oren has given more than one hundred interviews and authored sixteen op-eds. For a full list click here or scroll below for some highlights.
Turning the tide of war: Israel’s ‘Midway’ moment
An inconclusive ceasefire will keep Israel from restoring its devastated deterrence power and regaining regional preeminence
Washington’s wavering support for Israel
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UNIFIL ineffective and should leave southern Lebanon
UN peacekeeping missions often succeed only in maintaining peace when there is no active conflict to address in the first place. For instance, since May 1974, UNDOF has effectively managed the ceasefire between Israel and Syria, while the UN Truce Supervision Organization has overseen the truce between Israel and the Jordanian Arab Legion since May 1948.
Read full Article
From jewishinsider.com

The trip was organized through the Israel Advocacy Group, which Oren formed after the Oct. 7 terror attacks
Michael Oren, the former Israeli ambassador to the U.S., has spent months trying to raise awareness on Capitol Hill about the plight of Israelis who live near the Lebanon border, as their story has gotten far less attention than Israelis in the south hard hit by the Oct. 7 attacks.
Israel and Colombia have a very deep history and it is worth fighting for': former ambassador Michael Oren

It is detrimental to both countries”: former Israeli ambassador to the US asks Gustavo Petro to reestablish diplomatic relations.

Michael Oren: Should Israel Strike First?
Is this period more like 1967, when Israel preemptively attacked its enemies? Or like 1973—when it failed to do so?

Michael Oren: Situation in Israel’s north ‘woefully underreported, even among US policymakers’
Michael Oren, the former Israeli ambassador to the United States, told JNS in July that Hamas poses a “tactical threat” to Israel while Hezbollah presents a “strategic threat.”
(Read more)
Michael Oren Appears on ‘CNN News Central’ (10.1.24)
Michael Oren Appears on ‘America Reports’ (9.30.24)
Michael Oren Appears on CNN’s ‘Newsroom’ (9.21.24)
Michael Oren Appears on MSNBC's Morning Joe (10.2.24)
Gallery
Images from the Washington delegation.