President Bush’s delegation to Israel’s 60th celebrations is unusually large and heavy with Republican Party donors.
At least 21 Jewish leaders will join Bush at the celebrations, according to a list obtained by JTA. They will travel to Israel separately, but join Bush at official dinners and receptions May 14-15, the secular anniversary of Israel’s founding in 1948.
Such delegations usually number a handful – at most six. Sources said Bush expanded the list because of the high profile of the occasion and because he is in the last year of his final term. Fifteen of the participants have given to the Republican Party.
Organizations represented include the Orthodox Union, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Chabad-Lubavitch, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and the United Jewish Communities. It’s not clear whether other organizations will be added to the list.
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