What are some of the conversations like as you're talking about this partnership with those offices?

Well, so first of all, I mean, I think the appropriators understand that while the, um, the investment, $3.3 billion in security assistance, um, is, uh, is a large investment, compared to what we would spend if, uh, we had a permanent military presence or the ability that we have to invest in Israel and then Israel be an anchor of stability for American national interests in the region, is reallyA very cost-effective way, uh, for us to spend U.S. tax dollars.

So appropriators get that.

Um, I know we talked a lot about how presidents, um, over, over many years have appreciated and respected the blueprint of the MOU, but it's really the Congress that each year, um, whether it's a Republican-led Congress or a Democratic-led Congress, Republican drafting or Democrats drafting, um, it's each Congress that has respected the parameters of the MOU, uh, and invested in this without cuts or conditions.

It's the appropriators, uh, that are drafting the bills, but it's the Congress as a whole that then votes to pass these kinds of spending bills.

And, and that's really where, you know, that's really where AIPAC's grassroots efforts and our efforts to make sure that people across the Congress understand the importance of supporting security assistance to Israel as part of a larger package, that's where our work has been so fundamental and important over the years.

Because I have you here, I'd love to ask you each just more personally, why is the US-Israel relationship something that you care so deeply about, enough so to actually do something about it? Deb, I'll, I'll start with you.

I, I visited Israel for the first time when I was 18And I was just totally blown away by this country that is, like, um, really so small.