HispanicBusiness

The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA) recently concluded its second tour of Israel by a select group of U.S. Hispanic private and public professionals, according to a news release. The five-day visit was part of the Latino-Jewish Alliance for a Secure America, a JINSA initiative created to build upon the common interests of U.S. Latino and Jewish communities in areas critical for the future of the United States, which includes a number of U.S. national security topics ranging from the Middle East to its national borders.

"Our Alliance has identified some of the most accomplished individuals from the private and public sectors to provide JINSA with perspectives from our nation's fastest-growing ethnic segment of business owners, taxpayers and voters," Jacob M. Monty, co-founder and chairman of the Latino-Jewish Alliance, said in a statement. Monty, a Hispanic civil rights supporter from Houston, is a business immigration attorney and the author of "Hispanics in the Workplace."

"Due to the high rate of growth among U.S. Hispanics, it is essential that its leadership be included in discussions related to national security issues, particularly the global concerns with terrorism, expansion of free trade, support for democracies around the world, and U.S. energy independence," he said.

The group traveled to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv for briefings, with a strong emphasis on security. The participants were briefed by many representatives of Israeli business, political, religious, technology and defense concerns. Participants spent time with members of Israel's thriving Sephardi (Spanish) Jewish communities.

The visitors also had access to high-level discussions regarding the U.S.-Israel security relationship.

"The initial JINSA tour was conducted in 2011 and led to the establishment of a Latino-Jewish committee to explore issues of common interest," Larry Greenfield, JINSA's executive director, said in a statement. "Since its inaugural conference and planning meeting on June 21, 2011, in Houston, the Latino-Jewish Alliance for a Secure America was formed and continues to evolve into an collaborative effort between JINSA and U.S. Latino community leaders.".

Greenfield expressed pride in the Latino leadership associating so warmly with JINSA's national security mission, including the broadening coalition in support of the U.S.-Israel strategic relationship. He credited his predecessor Tom Neumann and co-founder of the Latino-Jewish Alliance for a Secure America -- who will remain intimately involved with JINSA as Executive Director Emeritus and Director of Coalition Development -- with the 2012 tour's success.

JINSA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan and nonsectarian educational organization committed to explaining the need for a prudent national security policy for the United States, addressing the security requirements of both the United States and the State of Israel, and strengthening the strategic cooperation relationship between them, according to the release.