LOS ANGELES (Press Release)—The Israeli-American Coalition for Action (IAC for Action) has named Jonathan C. Harris as its executive director. Harris will bring a deep expertise of Israel and Middle East policy—along with significant advocacy and lobbying experience in Washington, D.C.—to his role leading the IAC for Action team and implementing its advocacy agenda.
Previously, Harris served as a senior policy director for AIPAC, director of the Michigan chapter of StandWithUs and assistant director of government relations at the Washington, D.C., branch of the Zionist Organization of America. His writing career began as a reporter covering Jerusalem for Time Magazine and as a managing editor for the Middle East Forum. He has two forthcoming books, including an in-depth analysis of conflicts in the
Middle East and a memoir about his journey becoming an ardent Zionist and pro-Israel advocate.
“Jonathan brings a wealth of tremendous experience and proven leadership skills that will support our fastgrowingadvocacy organization as we work to make change at the federal, state and local level,” IAC for Action Chairman Shawn Evenhaim said. “He’s a beltway veteran with a deep and well-grounded knowledge of the U.S.-Israel alliance, Middle East history, and U.S. foreign policy, and track record of working to build diverse pro-Israel coalitions. We are confident he will be an invaluable asset for empowering the Israeli-American community to make our voice heard.”
Under Harris’ leadership, the IAC for Action will continue its efforts to engage Israeli-Americans in advocacy
initiatives at all levels of government, from city councilmembers and mayors to state governors and
Congressional leaders. In the last two years, the organization led the effort to pass the Taylor Force Act, which
conditions US aid to the Palestinian Authority on ending the practice of paying the families of terrorists, and
several state-level anti-Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions bills, including in California, Nevada and Texas.
“Israeli-Americans have an important, unique, and growing voice in the public sphere. I am thrilled to join the
crucial effort to advance the Israeli-American community’s advocacy agenda in Washington, D.C., and across the
country,” Harris said.
He added, “Twenty years ago, I first went to Israel as a historian—ready to uncover Roman history. Instead, I
saw the impact of the second intifada as it unfolded in front of my eyes. The experience has profoundly shaped
my life, driving me into the world of pro-Israel advocacy
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Preceding provided by IAC for Action