A group of 40 U.S. military cadets and their officers landed at Ben Gurion Airport yesterday for the latest phase of a two-week strategic tour of Poland and Israel organized by Our Soldiers Speak (OSS), an American-based nonprofit dedicated to educating students and academics from around the world about Israel and its security realities.
After visiting significant sites in Holocaust history during their time in Poland, the cadets have are now on an immersive journey into Israeli society, through June 11.
The visiting delegation is to receive high-level briefings from current and former policymakers and commentators from across the political spectrum in the security, strategy, international relations, law, politics, media, religion, and technology arenas.
One of the highlights of this fourth annual Israeli leg of the service members’ trip — officially called the Israel Strategy and Policy Tour (I-SAP) — will be a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, set for June 10.
The cadets are also set to meet with Maj.-Gen. Noam Tibon (res.), former commander of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Northern Formation; Judge Daphne Barak-Erez of the Israeli Supreme Court; Amb. Arthur Kroll, deputy director general of the Israeli Foreign Ministry; and Maj.-Gen. Gershon HaCohen (ret.), former commander of the IDF Staff & Command College.
“This unparalleled experience enables American cadets to learn about hot-button issues and matters of utmost strategic importance in the Middle East firsthand,” said OSS Founder and Director Benjamin Anthony.
“By forging bonds between the cadets and Israeli military officers, we are laying the groundwork for future understanding and productive interactions.”
