DoD Ends Support For Congressional Travel To Israel

November 4, 2023 Military, United States

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has issued a memo that pauses Defense Department support for congressional travel to Israel right now and restricts visits by defense and military leaders.

The memo, dated October 31, is meant to discourage “combat tourism,” according to defense officials. The military is already doing so much in the area that there’s no reason for additional military aircraft to bring in anything non-essential, officials said.

A defense official said the restrictions were put in place because of the risk and undue burden on service members who would provide support for a visit to Israel. Members of Congress may still travel to Israel but must do so without using Defense Department resources.

Read the full article.

SCOOP — Pentagon suspends congressional travel to Israel amid deteriorating security situation

Restrictions also apply to senior DoD officials, per memo we obtained

Congressional leaders were notified this week

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— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) November 3, 2023