FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 23, 2009

CONTACT: Bob Decheine, 202-225-5061; 202-550-7869 (cell)

(Washington, DC) – On Tuesday, October 20, 2009, Michael Oren, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States came to visit Congressman Steve Rothman, a member of the United States House Appropriations Subcommittees on Defense and State and Foreign Operations, in the Congressman’s office. They discussed the longstanding and steadfast bond between the United States and the Jewish State of Israel, specifically talking about how President Obama and the State Department have been particularly helpful with regards to the Goldstone Report, negotiating with Iran, and improving Israel’s qualitative military edge.  Ambassador Oren stated during the meeting that “Israel’s relationship with President Obama is as good as with any previous President.”

During his thirteen years in Congress, Rothman has helped to secure a total of approximately $47.5 billion in military aid, economic assistance, and loan guarantees for the State of Israel.  In addition, since becoming a Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense in 2007, Rothman has successfully advocated to increase funding for joint United States-Israeli missile defense programs.  As a result, these programs have received a total of $332.8 million.

Michael B. Oren was appointed Israel’s Ambassador to the United States in May 2009.  Prior to his appointment as Ambassador, Oren was a professor in the Jewish civilization program at Georgetown University, and a Senior Fellow in the Shalem Center – a Jerusalem think tank.  Now an Israeli citizen, he has also served as an officer in the Israel Defense Forces, a paratrooper in the Lebanon War, a liaison with the U.S. Sixth Fleet during the Gulf War, and an IDF spokesman during the Second Lebanon War and the Gaza operation in January 2009.  Ambassador Oren was raised in West Orange, New Jersey and has three children with his wife, Sally.

 

 

Pictured L to R: Rep. Rothman and Ambassador Oren

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