City Council Speaker Gifford Miller is headed to Israel with about 15 colleagues this weekend to show support for the terror-torn Jewish state.
Miller (D-Manhattan) plans to meet with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the mayor of Jerusalem and other high-level government officials.
He does not plan to meet with Palestinian Authority officials.
“It’s not a peace mission,” said David Weprin (D-Queens), who will join the speaker. “We’re going to be meeting with victims’ families.”
But another participant, James Davis (D-Brooklyn), sees it differently.
“I’m committed to stopping the violence. I’m a peace activist,” he said.
Privately, some officials griped that Miller had not invited members who might have wanted to visit Palestinian areas or meet with Palestinian officials.
Among those Miller has selected for the journey are Melinda Katz (D-Queens), Bill de Blasio (D-Brooklyn) and Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn).
All serve large Jewish constituencies.
“I’m very excited to be going and show that we are united in the fight against terrorism,” Felder said.
Katz said the trip would give an opportunity to those who have not been to Israel to see firsthand the carnage and help them better understand five bills before the council involving the Middle East.
The United Jewish Appeal and the Jewish Community Relations Council are picking up the tab.