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WILKES-BARRE — Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale called it “a life-changing experience.”
DePasquale, a Democrat, was at the Jewish Community Center on Thursday to talk about his recent, non-taxpayer funded trip earlier this month to Israel. He was joined by state Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-Kingston, who was also on the trip.
Calling it an educational tour of Israel, DePasquale said he realized how unsafe the region can be.
He, Kaufer and other elected officials toured the area, including a stop in Tel Aviv, the West Bank and later a visit to Gaza. He said he learned while on the trip that there are “150,000 missiles in Gaza pointed at Israel.”
“This is every day,” DePasquale said. “And the people of Israel live with this fact and they live their normal lives. It would be like New Jersey having 150,000 missiles pointed at Manhattan.”
DePasquale and Kaufer said they were cautioned to not gather in groups because it would make them more susceptible to a missile attack.
“We were told a missile attack occurred close to where we were,” Kaufer recalled.
DePasquale said he will tour Pennsylvania to tell of his trip to Israel, which he called a “beacon of light” and America’s best ally.
“It was a very powerful experience,” DePasquale said.
He also visited the Holy Land and he met with Israeli officials on how their electoral system works. DePasquale said he is auditing Pennsylvania’s system.
He said he paid for half of the cost of the trip and the other half was coordinated by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition.
DePasquale said he learned much more about Israel’s relationship with the United States and the common goals that the two nations share. He also explored potential economic development opportunities that could benefit Pennsylvania.
DePasquale said Israel’s role as a key ally and the only true democracy in the Middle East makes it necessary for the U.S. to help ensure Israel’s continued security. Trade between the nations is also extremely important.
“The United States is Israel’s single-largest trade partner,” DePasquale noted. “Much of that commerce involves technology, communications and agriculture — three major sectors of Pennsylvania’s economy.”
