Mayor Rusty Paul Joins Delegation to Israel

From June 4-11, Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul joined a bipartisan delegation of 12 other municipal leaders on a trip focused on expressing solidarity with Israel, strengthening economic and educational partnerships between the U.S. and Israel, and learning about the challenges Israel faces after the Oct. 7 massacre.

The delegation, led by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), met with key Israeli officials and community leaders to discuss policies and strategies to address the rise of antisemitism within their respective communities.

Mayor Paul shared about the importance of the delegation’s trip in showing support for Israel.

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The delegation, led by the Combat Antisemitism Movement, visited the site of the Nova Music Festival.

“I was honored to have the opportunity to travel with other municipal leaders to witness firsthand the devastating impact of Oct. 7. Together with my fellow mayors, the trip solidified the importance of continuing to speak out against antisemitism and how crucial it is to start these efforts on a local level.”

Mayor Paul’s delegation included fellow mayors Justin Arest of Scarsdale, N.Y., Samson Borgelin of North Lauderdale, Fla., Alix Desulme of North Miami, Fla., and Lester Friedman of Beverly Hills, Calif., among others. The group toured Israel, meeting government and diplomatic officials, visiting historical, cultural, and religious sites, engaging with local communities, and discussing best practices for municipal governance and community relations.

The following week, from June 9-14, a bipartisan group of 15 state legislators also visited Israel with CAM. Participants included Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears of Virginia, Sen. Daniel Dawson of Iowa, Rep. Randy Fine of Florida, Sen. Robby Mills of Kentucky, and Rep. Christopher Todd of Tennessee. This delegation focused on state-level policies, economic ties, and educational partnerships between the U.S. and Israel. They explored ways by which policymakers can help combat the rise of antisemitism within their respective communities.

“It is crucial that we promote understanding and fight against the spread of misinformation and hate,” said Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears of Virginia. “By learning about Israel’s vibrant diversity and the complex realities I just witnessed, we can better understand and combat antisemitism disguised as criticism of Israel. As state leaders, we have a responsibility to stand up against hatred and bigotry in all its forms.”

“Mayors and state legislators are on the frontlines of fighting antisemitism and building more inclusive communities at the local level,” said CAM CEO Sacha Roytman. “By providing these leaders with the opportunity to visit Israel, learn about its vibrant diversity, and make person-to-person connections, we can effectively counter misinformation about Israel while combating antisemitism at the grassroots level.”

Both delegations featured a diverse mix of Democratic and Republican officials from different backgrounds, reflecting the across-the-aisle support to combat antisemitism in the United States.

“It was inspiring to come together with state and city leaders to stand against antisemitism,” said Rep. Randy Fine of Florida. “This trip has shown that combating hate is not a partisan issue, but a human one.”

The trips also provided an opportunity for the two delegations to meet with one another, share their experiences, and visit both Kibbutz Be’eri and the Nova Music Festival site to commemorate the lives lost in the Oct. 7 massacre.

“Bringing these delegations of elected mayors and legislators to Israel to witness firsthand the atrocities of Oct. 7 and the country’s remarkable resilience was crucial,” said CAM Chief Government Affairs Officer Lisa Katz. “The missions were inspiring and emotional, highlighting the urgent need for solidarity and informed action in the face of global misinformation and antisemitism.”