{{Short description|Conference held in Israel}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox event | image = 50 States One Israel Logo.png | date = {{start and end dates|2025|9|14|2025|9|18}} | venue = | Location = Jerusalem, Israel | organizers = Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs | participants = 241 American state legislators<ref name="Knesset">{{cite web |title=Largest-ever delegation of legislators visits the Knesset: 241 Republicans and Democrats from across the United States |url=https://main.knesset.gov.il/en/news/pressreleases/pages/press16925q.aspx |access-date=October 15, 2025 |website=Knesset News}}</ref> }}
'''50 States One Israel''' was a conference held in Israel from September 14, 2025, to September 18, 2025<ref name=":4" /> for state legislators from the United States and members of the Israeli government.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=September 15, 2025 |title=Largest-ever US delegation of lawmakers visits Israel |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-867559 |access-date=September 16, 2025 |website=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Netanyahu: 'If we didn't act, we'd die and the Jewish story would die' |url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/414979 |access-date=September 16, 2025 |website=Israel National News}}</ref> Hosted by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the conference was described as the largest delegation of elected officials to visit Israel.<ref name=":0" /> According to Lior Haiat, Deputy Director for North America at the Foreign Ministry, lawmakers including state legislators from all 50 states were in attendance.<ref name=":0" />
== Background == US state legislators began receiving invitations to the conference in early May 2025.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Opsahl |first=Kevin |date=May 21, 2025 |title=Rio Rancho senator to travel to Israel with nationwide delegation |url=https://www.rrobserver.com/news/rio-rancho-senator-to-travel-to-israel-with-nationwide-delegation/article_b657e1a5-9d0e-48c9-8d01-7f4dde82bca0.html |access-date=September 16, 2025 |website=Rio Rancho Observer}}</ref> The conference, including travel, is paid entirely by the Israeli government.<ref name=":3" /> According to a July 8, 2025, letter to Oregon Representative David Gomberg sent by Israel's consulate-general to the Northwest, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide "roundtrip economy airfare from New York to Tel Aviv (including domestic U.S. flights to NYC)," and "all in-country transportation, accommodations, meals, and guided programming."<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=50 States 1 Israel 2025 |url=https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/chief-clerk/Documents/50%20States%201%20Israel%202025.pdf}}</ref> Five lawmakers from each state were invited to attend.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Freiberg |first=Nava |date=September 7, 2025 |title=Delegation of 250 US state legislators to head to Israel next week |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/delegation-of-250-us-state-legislators-to-head-to-israel-next-week/ |access-date=September 17, 2025 |work=The Times of Israel |issn=0040-7909}}</ref>
== Conference == Attendees were scheduled to arrive on September 14, 2025, and depart September 18, 2025.<ref name=":4" />
On September 15, 2025, attendees visited the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Israel Foreign Ministry Post |url=https://x.com/IsraelMFA/status/1967557982134378862}}</ref> Later, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar urged American lawmakers to pass anti-BDS laws in their states.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Freiberg |first=Nava |date=September 15, 2025 |title=Sa'ar urges 250 visiting US state legislators to pass Anti-BDS laws in their states |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/saar-urges-250-visiting-us-state-legislators-to-pass-anti-bds-laws-in-their-states/ |access-date=September 16, 2025 |work=The Times of Israel |issn=0040-7909}}</ref> In the evening, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu gave a welcome address to the delegation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Berman |first=Lazar |date=September 15, 2025 |title=Netanyahu and Rubio set to kick off lengthy meeting on Gaza, Qatar |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/netanyahu-and-rubio-set-to-kick-off-lengthy-meeting-on-gaza-qatar/ |access-date=September 16, 2025 |work=The Times of Israel |issn=0040-7909}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 15, 2025 |title=PM Netanyahu's remarks at the 'Fifty States – One Israel' event at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs |url=https://www.gov.il/en/departments/news/pm-netanyahu-s-remarks-at-the-fifty-states-one-israel-event-at-the-mfa-15-sep-2025}}</ref>
On September 16, 2025, attendees visited communities impacted by the October 7 attacks.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 16, 2025 |title=250 US legislators plant 50 trees in Israel's Park Ofakim |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-867678 |access-date=September 17, 2025 |website=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref>
On September 17, 2025, President of Israel Isaac Herzog addressed the delegation, saying that Israel's "ironclad bond with the United States of America [exists] because we drink from the same fountain: the values of the Bible".<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 18, 2025 |title=Herzog: Media distorts Israel's 'great contribution to humanity' |url=https://www.jns.org/herzog-media-distorts-israels-great-contribution-to-humanity/ |access-date=September 18, 2025 |website=JNS.org}}</ref>
== References == <references />
{{Israel–United States relations|state=collapsed}}
Category:September 2025 in Israel Category:Israel–United States relations