A recent visit to the US by Likud Knesset Member Dan Illouz was intended not only to show support for Jewish communities and students on campuses but also to propose a US Congressional hearing on the Palestinian Authority’s connections to terrorism and the dangers of installing the entity in Gaza instead of Hamas.
In conversation with The Jerusalem Post, Illouz explained that leaders needed to know the facts about the PA before pressuring Israel to take actions that would perpetuate the conflict. Ceding control of the Gaza Strip to the PA would have the “optics of solving conflict because they’re seen as more moderate, but is actually not a step in de-radicalization but another step in radicalization.”
Illouz, in the US from April 4 until last Tuesday, said that it was necessary to expose the PA’s pay-for-slay program, education promoting terrorism, and other incentives that encourage terrorism. Giving the Palestinian body more power would only cause problems in the future, “as long as they teach hate.”
According to reports, the American politicians Illouz spoke with were open to holding a hearing similar to the House hearing in January on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
During his visit to the US Capitol, Illouz said he was touched by the support expressed by his American counterparts, who displayed Israeli flags or posters of hostages in their offices, showing how “deep our alliance and shared values extend.”
Israel already making efforts to provide aid, limit civilian casualties
When Illouz visited the University of Maryland (UMD), the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University, he hoped to dispel myths about the conflict by emphasizing these shared values. In his speeches, he explained that calls for Israel to limit civilian casualties and deliver more aid were unnecessary because the Jewish state was already doing so as a matter of national policy and military ethos.
Like the US, “Israel does everything it can to limit civilian casualties,” said Illouz.
Advocating on behalf of the hostages held by Hamas was another message that the MK attempted to convey. Adapting a rhetorical device used by the hostages’ families, Illouz began his speeches by counting the days, one by one, that they had been in captivity.
On campus, Illouz encountered some resistance. UMD Students for Justice in Palestine organized protests outside the venue, claiming in promotional content that he was a “genocidal politician.” At UPenn, he was called a “war criminal.” Some UMD activists stood up and left his lecture while raising hands stained with red paint, implying that Illouz had blood on his hands. The MK said that he ignored them and continued speaking.
“To be fair, they didn’t bother my lecture too much,” he said.
On the trip, organized by Hasbara Fellowships, Illouz said that it was important to show solidarity with the students defending Israel on campus. He said Israelis and Jews appreciated the time, work, and bullying they have endured since the October 7 massacre.
Illouz also faced some opposition when he visited Jewish communities in Miami, Washington, Philadelphia, and New York. On social media, anti-Israel activists had declared their intention to protest Illouz’s talk, but a counter-protest emerged, focusing less on Illouz and more on the opportunity to hear from elected Israeli officials. In the end, the anti-Israel activists didn’t show up. Such incidents and the necessary coordination with the police throughout the trip made it clear how much security work was required.
“It’s kind of sad how much security is needed to speak on campus and at Jewish communities,” said Illouz. “The need for security shows that the situation in the US has changed.”
Many Diaspora Jews told him that they felt less comfortable than they did in the past. He said that US authorities were trying to address the issue but even so, American Jews felt less protected. Nevertheless, he believes that aliyah should be done out of love for Israel rather than as an answer to rising hate, and that Israel must find a way to support Diaspora Jews.
“In the past, Diaspora Jewry has shown lots of support for Israel; now, Israel needs to be there for Diaspora Jewry,” said Illouz.
He said that the concern the Diaspora shows for Israel was immensely strong and that there was a lot of interest in events in the Levant. Illouz was touched by their support.
Though Israelis and Diaspora Jews may not agree on every issue, unity between the two has grown since October 7 due to recognizing their “sense of common past and destiny.”