Twelve congressional Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), met on Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel.

The purpose of the trip, according to a release from Jeffries, was to address “Israel’s unique challenges within the region and discuss our efforts to maintain and strengthen the special relationship between our nations.” The group also planned to commemorate Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s 75th anniversary, and to recognize Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day. [MORE]

On the eve Israel’s most somber and reflective day, the crowd of 7000 at Yad L’Shiryon in Latrun somehow felt intimate, engaged together in the solemn task of remembering the Jewish State’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror.

They were joined virtually by hundreds of thousands of viewers across the globe, along with major Jewish and U.S. Congressional leaders, as part of the largest English Yom HaZikaron ceremony in the world. The event is hosted every year by Masa Israel Journey, a long-term adult education program and part of the Jewish Agency for Israel.

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader of the U.S House of Representatives, laid one of the wreaths to honor the loss of life. He was joined at the event by 12 members of the House of Representatives, including Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. [MORE]