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A bipartisan group of 13 municipal leaders from across the United States who recently visited Israel on a solidarity mission organized by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) sent a joint letter to President Joe Biden on Tuesday calling for more active American involvement in diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the 120 hostages — including eight U.S. citizens — remaining in Hamas activity and bolstered U.S.-Israel security cooperation.
“Our experiences in Israel reinforced the importance of solidarity and proactive engagement in addressing global issues,” the letter — a copy of which was also delivered to Secretary of State Antony Blinken — said. “We stand ready to support your administration in these efforts and offer our collaboration in any capacity needed to achieve these goals. The people of Israel, like our own communities, yearn to live in peace and security. As a global leader, the United States must support our allies and uphold the principles of justice and human dignity.
The full text of the letter can be read HERE.
CAM Chief Government Affairs Officer Lisa Katz — who lead the mayoral delegation’s Israel visit last month — said, “CAM commends these mayors for working across party lines to call for the release of the Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza. This display of bipartisan solidarity is key to resolving this ongoing crisis and ensuring the long-term safety and protection of Israel against terror.”
Signatories of the letter included:
Honorable Alix Desulme, Ed.D. — Mayor of North Miami
Honorable Lester Friedman — Mayor of Beverly Hills, California
Honorable Bret Latham — Mayor of North Bay Village, Florida
Honorable Jack Libert, Esq. — NY State Supreme Court Justice Retired & Chief of Staff, Town of Hempstead, New York
Honorable John Ramon — Mayor of Espanola, New Mexico
Honorable Michael Pagan — Mayor of Teaneck, New Jersey
Honorable Larisa Svechin — Mayor of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida
Honorable Jordan Isrow, Esq. — Vice Mayor of Parkland, Florida
Honorable David Romero — Mayor of Las Vegas, New Mexico
Honorable Greg Ross, Esq. — Mayor of Cooper City, Florida & President of the Florida League of Cities
Honorable Justin Arest, Esq. — Mayor of Scarsdale, New York
Honorable Russell “Rusty” Paul — Mayor of Sandy Springs, Georgia
Honorable Shawn Klein — Mayor/Councilman of Livingston, New Jersey
During their week-long visit to Israel, the mayors participated in a rally in Tel Aviv calling for the release of the hostages.
CAM works hand-in-hand with mayors on a daily basis to secure and nurture Jewish life in cities across the globe.
The 2024 North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism will be held in Beverly Hills, California, on Dec. 11-13.
Full text of mayoral letter to U.S. President Joe Biden:
Dear President Biden,
We, the undersigned Mayors of the United States, write to you with heavy hearts and a profound sense of urgency following our recent visit to Israel as part of the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) Mayor’s Solidarity Mission. This journey, which took place last month, left a lasting mark on our souls and highlighted the desperate need for U.S. intervention to address the ongoing crisis.
Our time in Israel allowed us to meet with families who have been shattered by the horrific events of October 7, 2023, and the violence that has followed. We listened to the heart-wrenching stories of those who have lost loved ones and those still waiting in agony for the return of hostages. These personal encounters brought us face-to-face with the raw pain and resilience of the Israeli people, who continue to stand tall amidst the devastation wrought by terrorist groups.
Engaging with Israeli municipal officials, business leaders, emergency service providers, and community members from all walks of life revealed their daily challenges. The Israeli people’s unity and indomitable spirit were inspiring and humbling. These interactions underscored the critical need for international collaboration to combat terrorism and restore peace.
The families we spoke with are desperately counting on your leadership to secure the safe return of their loved ones. Their pleas echoed our hearts and reinforced our commitment to advocating for immediate and decisive action. We respectfully urge you to work closely with the State Department and other relevant agencies to ensure the swift and safe return of the hostages.
We witnessed the remarkable determination of the Israeli people to rebuild and thrive despite the ongoing threats. However, the scale of destruction and humanitarian crises are overwhelming and require substantial support. We implore your administration to prioritize several crucial actions.
First, increase diplomatic efforts to negotiate the release of hostages and restore order in the region, leveraging international alliances and applying pressure on terrorist groups to cease their activities. Additionally, provide humanitarian aid to support the affected populations in Israel, allocating resources to rebuild critical infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and residential areas to ensure the swift recovery of communities.
Strengthening security cooperation with Israel is also essential to enhance their capabilities in defending against terrorist threats. This includes providing advanced technology, intelligence sharing, and training for emergency response teams. Moreover, supporting initiatives aimed at combating antisemitism globally is paramount. The rise in antisemitic rhetoric and actions threatens not only Jewish communities but also the very values of democracy and human rights.
Our experiences in Israel reinforced the importance of solidarity and proactive engagement in addressing global issues. We stand ready to support your administration in these efforts and offer our collaboration in any capacity needed to achieve these goals.
The people of Israel, like our own communities, yearn to live in peace and security. As a global leader, the United States must support our allies and uphold the principles of justice and human dignity.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter and your continued leadership.
