The American Israel Education Foundation is shelling out to take around eighty congressmen to Israel during the summer recess period.
The group is supporting organisation to the American Israel Public Affair Committee (AIPAC) which describes itself as 'America's leading pro-Israel lobby'.
According to the Jerusalem Post, 55 of the holidaymakers will be Republicans while 26 will be Democrats. Many will be visiting Israel for the first time.
House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer will head the Democratic delegation, while House Majority Leader Eric Cantor will lead one of the Republican groups. [Both are passionately pro-Israel.]
This year Israel is believed to be the most popular foreign holiday destination for members of the house.
Relaxing: The politicians will get to ease their tension with a float in the Dead Sea
Most of those making the trip are scheduled to meet with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
Among the Democrats will be the popular Illinois Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., who will stay for eight days.
'Thankyou America': Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Jackson said he is looking forward to learning about Israel's business and commercial sectors as well as the latest tools and technology the country is using in its fight against terror.
AIPAC is widely regarded as one of the most powerful lobbying groups in Washington, with many critics claiming they operate on behalf of the Israeli Government and have secured too much influence on congress.
In May this year Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu addressed their 2011 policy conference in Washington saying:'I want to thank the president and Congress for providing Israel with vital assistance so that Israel can defend itself by itself.
'I want to thank you all for supporting the Iron Dome missile defense system. A few weeks ago, Hamas terrorists in Gaza fired eight rockets at our cities, at Ashkelon and Beer Sheva. [Gazan rockets have killed a total of approximately 20 Israelis in the entire time they've been used. During the same period, Israeli forces killed approximately 5,000 Palestinians.]
'Now, these rockets never reached their targets. Iron Dome intercepted them in midair. For the first time, a missile defense system worked in combat. That's a precedent in military history. And I want to say thank you, America.'
[Congress voted to give Israel an additional $200 million for this system – above its annual $3 billion ($8 million per day). This system competes with an American produced system and will quite likely result in the loss of American jobs.]
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