For 15 years, dozens of American lawmakers have had the opportunity to see one of the country’s most important alliances firsthand. Since 2011, the U.S.-Israel Education Association (USIEA) has brought members of Congress to Israel, giving them an on-the-ground look at the security, technology, and geopolitical issues that often come before them in Washington.

Strengthening the Alliance

USIEA Founder and President Heather Johnston reflected on the organization’s 15th anniversary, recalling her meeting with then-Majority Leader Eric Cantor and presenting him with a list of objectives to advance educational trips to Israel for U.S. lawmakers. The organization’s first tour included five members of the House Armed Services Committee, who were shown a brand-new piece of missile defense technology known as the Iron Dome.

The lawmakers were impressed with Iron Dome’s capabilities and began the groundwork to increase funding for it. Within a matter of weeks after returning to Washington, the five members of the House Armed Services Committee met with 54 members of Congress, resulting in a tripling of the budget for Iron Dome. Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman described the relationship between Washington and Jerusalem over the last 15 years as an ‘EKG,’ saying that it involved ‘lots of ups and downs.’

Expanding Cooperation

Friedman argued that over time, American lawmakers increasingly saw Israel as a country that delivered ‘real value to the United States in terms of technology, medicine, national security.’ Current U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee echoed that assessment, arguing that many Americans underestimate the full extent of the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Huckabee noted that this partnership played out in various areas, including military cooperation, especially as both worked to stop the Iranian regime from gaining nuclear arms. The value of organizations like USIEA extends beyond showcasing military cooperation, allowing lawmakers to see realities on the ground that can be difficult to grasp from Washington alone.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.