Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) spent four days in Israel last week as part of a visit with the House Committee on Homeland Security. Langevin and his House Homeland colleague and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies, Congressman John Ratcliffe (R-TX), met with Israeli government and national security officials, policymakers, educators and entrepreneurs in a series of visits and meetings that focused on national security and cybersecurity.

Among the dignitaries that Langevin met with were Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Moshe Ya’alon, as well as Iddo Moed, head of Cyber at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Dr. Eviatar Matania, head of Israel’s National Cyber Bureau; and Isaac Ben-Israel, head of the Israel Space Agency and security and diplomacy educator at Tel Aviv University. As the co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, he also visited with cyber-focused businesses, such as Citi’s Technology Innovation Lab and Microsoft Israel.

“Israel is a technological leader and a hub of cybersecurity innovation, and the United States can both work with and learn a great deal from our Israeli counterparts. I was so impressed by the groundbreaking and truly trailblazing work Israel is doing in cybersecurity, and I look forward to sharing my experiences with my colleagues in Congress, as we continue to tackle the complex challenges we face in cyberspace,” said Langevin. “Israel has always been a trusted friend and ally of the United States and our continued collaboration on shared issues of national security will help us move toward a safer, more peaceful world.”

While in Israel, Langevin visited the Western Wall, and joined Prime Minister Netanyahu at Yad Vashem, Israels Holocaust Museum, for a moving Holocaust Memorial Ceremony on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day.

“To remember, mourn, and honor the victims of the Holocaust while in Israel was an opportunity that I will never forget. The Memorial Ceremony featured six survivors who shared their powerful, heartbreaking stories, and it is a memory that I will cherish forever,” he said. “Their courage and resilience is an inspiration, and I am so grateful to Prime Minister Netanyahu for including me in such a moving ceremony.”