Black Congresswomen Go on J Street Israel Tour

By JTA February 26, 2012

A group of African-American congresswomen toured Israel under J Street’s auspices.

Reps. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Donna Edwards (D-Md.), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) and Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.) met with top officials in the opposition and the ruling coalition, a statement issued Feb. 24 from the dovish pro-Israel group said.

Joining them were 14 female philanthropists; they were not named in the release. The statement was released after the delegation returned from the weeklong visit.

The trip was sponsored by the J Street Education Fund and the Women Donors Network, a group that promotes investment to advance peace and women’s rights.

“In meetings with leading Israeli and Palestinian women in the governmental and non-governmental spheres, the delegation explored the possibility of building working alliances to advance the role of women in both countries in advocating for a two-state solution and security for Israel,” the release said.

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