Fri Sep 20 06:14:53 UTC 2024: ## Israeli Lobby Hosts Military Experts Amidst Gaza Conflict, Promoting War Effort

**Tel Aviv, Israel** – A group of military experts from Europe and North America recently visited Israel, hosted by a pro-Israel organization, the European Leadership Network (Elnet), to gain “insight into Israel’s challenges in the war against Iran and its proxies,” according to the group. However, critics argue the trip, facilitated by Israeli business moguls Candice and Alain Fraiberger, amounted to an effort to promote Israeli propaganda and justify its ongoing military campaign in Gaza.

The visit included a gala dinner at the Fraibergers’ residence, where former Mossad official Zohar Palti reportedly gave a presentation on “healing,” though the details remain unclear. The trip also involved discussions with Israeli military officials, including those responsible for the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The trip’s participants, including former British military commanders Richard Kemp and John McColl, expressed support for Israel’s continued control of the Philadelphi Corridor, a key border area with Egypt. This stance aligns with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and opposes potential ceasefire agreements.

McColl, writing for The Times, went so far as to claim that Israel’s “rules of engagement” in Gaza are “rigorous” compared to other Western militaries, a comparison deemed dubious by critics given the ongoing human rights abuses documented in Gaza.

Critics argue that the trip served as a platform for Israeli propaganda and an attempt to legitimize its actions in the conflict. The fact that Elnet, a pro-Israel group, organized the visit, hosted the military experts, and then published a report promoting the Israeli perspective, further raises concerns about the group’s role in shaping public opinion on the conflict.

The Fraibergers, who amassed their wealth through successful business ventures, have become increasingly active in supporting Israeli causes. Their involvement in this trip highlights the growing influence of wealthy individuals in shaping international perceptions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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