Published in the Jerusalem Post, 24 November 2025
The IAF coordinates the pro-Israel
activities of scores of parliamentary groups across the globe. Sharing a
faith-based belief in Israel’s right to exist in peace, the members of these
groups translate their support into political action within their home
countries’ legislatures. In the US and some other countries, such groups are
known as caucuses; in others, they’re known as lobbies or pressure groups.
On November 10, Albania’s parliament in Tirana became the 64th national parliament to welcome an IAF caucus, bringing together members of its Socialist and Democratic parties.
The IAF itself was formed in 2007 and since
then has established a widespread network of pro-Israel politicians. The
organization says its purpose, based on Judeo-Christian values, is to promote
cooperation among politicians worldwide who support the right of the State of
Israel to exist in peace with secure borders.
Over the past year, the IAF has undertaken an impressive programme. It convened top lawmakers in a concerted effort to oppose determinations of the International Criminal Court widely perceived as hostile to Israel. It published the 2025 edition of the “Israel’s Top 50 Christian Allies” list to honor faith leaders supporting Israel worldwide, and in July, it launched new caucuses in six African countries: Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Lesotho, Seychelles, Gabon, and Guinea, expanding faith-based support for Israel on the continent.
In addition, it coordinated the passage of
high-profile parliamentary resolutions condemning antisemitism, especially in
Canada, and organized joint marches with both Jewish and Christian
parliamentarians against Holocaust denial and hate crimes.
Not least, it has organized international
diplomacy conferences, such as the Oslo Symposium, held in February/March 2025,
to counter antisemitism and anti-Zionism in Europe. The Symposium, largely
indebted to the Norway-Israel Allies Caucus, saw intensified efforts to
strengthen Israel-Norway relations and counter rising antisemitism and
diplomatic friction arising from the Gaza conflict.
In May, the US Congressional Israel Allies
Caucus celebrated Israel’s Independence Day with a major advocacy day involving
more than 300 rabbis, pastors, congresspeople, and international guests. It
followed this with a reception on Capitol Hill. With bipartisan participation
from lawmakers and international dignitaries, the event showcased
cross-continental support for Israel.
The IAF’s pro-Israel advocacy program is set
to gather momentum in 2026. A major $200 million US-Israel joint fund for
quantum and AI research – possibly expanded to include Gulf states and other
Abraham Accords nations – is planned to begin operations in the new year. The
fund aims to facilitate joint research and development, regional research hubs,
and broader geopolitical alignment and is backed by Israeli, American, UAE, and
Saudi stakeholders.
Perhaps the most important, and potentially the most impactful, undertaking of the IAF has been its partnership with the Genesis Prize Foundation in support of the “Isaac Accords.” The Isaac Accords, modelled on the Abraham Accords, are a diplomatic initiative by Argentinian President Javier Milei aimed at strengthening ties between Israel and a range of Latin American countries.
Milei officially launched the Isaac Accords
on August 12, 2025, announcing the initiative as a comprehensive effort to
deepen diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations between Israel and select
Latin American countries.
“The Isaac Accords,” he said at the launch,
“are a vehicle to promote bold vision and encourage other Latin American
leaders to stand with Israel, confront antisemitism, and reject the ideologies
of terror that threaten our shared values and freedoms. They seek to foster
close cooperation between Latin American governments and Israel in areas
crucial to development, security, and prosperity.”
The American Friends of the Isaac Accords
(AFOIA), founded by The Genesis Prize Foundation using Milei’s prize funds, is
supporting the program, which includes cooperation in areas such as
agriculture, cyberdefense, finance, water technology, energy, healthcare,
education, and culture.
The AFOIA also provides grants and supports
programs connecting Israeli technological and medical expertise with Latin
American markets, mobilizing pro-Israel politicians, and building educational
and grassroots exchanges. The Accords have already launched several
collaboration projects, including the ILAN Israel Innovation Network and new
healthcare, education, and political engagement programs.
In short, the Isaac Accords aim to broaden
economic, diplomatic, cultural, and educational cooperation at a time when much
of Latin America is distancing itself from Israel. They intend to create a
multilateral network of support for Israel in Latin America built on
biomedical, tech, educational, and diplomatic projects, with both clear
achievements and expansive ambitions for the coming years.
The initiative began with Israel, Argentina, Uruguay, Panama, and Costa Rica and has ambitions to expand to Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and possibly El Salvador by 2026. Also in the frame for the future are the three Latin American countries that have moved their Israel embassies to Jerusalem: Guatemala, Honduras, and Paraguay. They joined the US, Kosovo, and Papua New Guinea in bringing the number of Jerusalem-sited embassies to six.
Paraguay’s President Santiago Pena formally
inaugurated the embassy in Jerusalem on December 12, 2024, a result of
Paraguay’s longstanding pro-Israel policy.
So despite a global context where some Latin
American states are cutting or downgrading ties with Israel, the Isaac Accords
have consolidated a core bloc of pro-Israel countries and elevated bilateral
trade and innovation exchanges.
As for the Israel Allies Foundation Europe,
it plans further expansion in 2026 of its network of parliamentary caucuses. It
will be targeting countries that currently lack active parliamentary IAF groups
in Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe, and possibly Scandinavia. Alongside
extending the current network, the IAf intends to reinforce existing caucuses
throughout Europe by way of a proactive policy of regional conferences and
thematic campaigns.
How goes that British saying? More power to
their elbow!
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-874864
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