Bay Ridge

Donovan travels to Israel to meet Netanyahu

August 10, 2015 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan is making his first international trip as a congress member to Israel. Photo courtesy of Donovan’s office
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The first overseas trip freshman U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan is taking as a lawmaker is a journey to Israel.

Donovan (R-C-Southwest Brooklyn-Staten Island) is part of a 35-member congressional delegation traveling to Israel in a trip sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation.

Donovan, who won the congressional sear in a special election on May 5, had pledged during the campaign that a visit to Israel would be the first international trip he would take if he was elected.

The trip is designed to give members of Congress the opportunity to obtain firsthand knowledge of Israel, according to Donovan. The Brooklyn-Staten Island lawmaker is one of 27 House freshmen on the trip.

The lawmakers left for the Middle East on Aug. 8 and are slated to return to the U.S. on Aug. 15.

The delegation is expected to meet with key Israeli and Palestinian leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

 The lawmakers are planning to visit Israel’s borders, as well as Jewish, Christian and Islamic holy sites. The itinerary also includes visits to the sites of U.S.-Israel defense and technology projects.

“Visiting Israel and learning firsthand about the many shared issues between our nations is incredibly important to me,” Donovan said. “As a member of the Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security committees, in addition to being the representative of one of the largest Jewish constituencies, this trip will give me invaluable insight on the challenges we face.”

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