Five Members of Congress To Visit Israel, Jordan, Palestinian Territories WASHINGTON – The J Street Education Fund announced that five members of Congress are departing today on a five-day visit to the Middle East – the first Congressional mission sponsored by the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement’s educational arm. Representatives Lois Capps (CA-23), Bill Delahunt (MA-10), Bob Filner (CA-51), Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15), and Donald Payne (NJ-10) will meet with Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian government officials as well as civil society leaders to get an in-depth, on-the-ground look at the state of the peace process, and to explore the American role in bringing about regional, comprehensive peace. “We’re excited to start bringing members of Congress to the Middle East as part of our overall effort to promote strong US leadership to achieve a two-state solution and regional, comprehensive peace,” said Jeremy Ben-Ami, Executive Director of the J Street Education Fund. “Our hope is that this and future delegations will help to open up and deepen the conversation in Congress about American policy in the Middle East and, in particular, to convey to their colleagues the urgency of the situation and the need for strong American leadership toward achieving a two-state solution.” The Congressional mission, from February 13th to 18th, will meet with Israeli government and opposition leaders, as well as key regional leaders, including Jordanian King Abdullah II and Palestinian National Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. The delegation will travel widely in Israel, the Palestinian Territories, and Jordan, taking a close look at the situation on the ground through the eyes of policy makers and civil society leaders. The Delegation and J Street Education Fund leadership will be available to the media toward the end of the trip – with details to be announced as the schedule becomes clearer. The J Street Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to inform policy making and public discussion about the need for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to raise the visibility of mainstream pro-Israel, pro-peace voices within the American Jewish community, and to promote open, dynamic, and spirited conversation about how to best advance the interests and future of a Jewish, democratic Israel.