Israel Allies Foundation


The Israel Allies Foundation is a non-governmental organization formed in 2007 by Israeli rabbi and politician Binyamin Elon to encourage cooperation among faith-based supporters of Israel in parliaments and legislatures worldwide. The Foundation supports the work of pro-Israel caucuses in 36 Parliaments worldwide, composed of legislators who endorse Israel's right to exist within secure borders. As of 2019, the President of the Foundation is Josh Reinstein.
The Foundation's headquarters is located across the street from the American Consulate on Nablus Road in East Jerusalem.
The Foundation works on a foundation of Judeo-Christian values to promote cooperation and communication among members of national and provincial legislatures worldwide who support the right of the State of Israel to exist in peace and to have secure borders. The Foundation hosts legislators and heads of pro-Israel organizations visiting Israel. In August 2015, a group of American Congressmen including Evan Jenkins, Trent Franks, and Keith Rothfus were harassed by Muslim political activists when they were taken to tour the Temple Mount by the Foundation.
Caucuses that work with the Foundation include the Israel Allies Caucus in the United States House of Representatives, the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus in the Israeli Knesset, and Caucuses in Uruguay, the Philippines, South Korea, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, Australia, Finland, Italy, Canada, Costa Rica, and Malawi.

History

The Israel Allies Foundation was created in 2007 by 7 Members of Knesset with the goal of enhancing ties between Christian legislators worldwide, and Members of the Knesset. The Foundation grew out of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus, which was established in 2004, after the first international sister organization, the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus was established in the United States Congress in 2006.

Issues

An undivided Jerusalem

According to Hannu Takkula, Chair of the European Parliament's Israel Allies Caucus, the group "celebrate Jerusalem as the undivided capital of the Jewish State of Israel." The Foundation supports legislative calls for moving the American Embassy to the eastern side of the unified city.
The Foundation's headquarters is located in East Jerusalem in symbolic support of the Foundation's "theme of a united Jerusalem." According to Foundation President Josh Reinstein, "We believe there should always be a united Jerusalem, and this is going to be on the frontline of that battle."

BDS movement

The Foundation has been active in opposing the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.

Board of directors

As of 2019, the organization's Christian advisory board of directors includes Tim Dunn, Dave Weldon, Mike Sodrel, Dick Saulsbury, Earl Cox, and Trent Franks.