I recently had the extraordinary opportunity to travel to Israel as part of the 50 States, One Israel delegation, where legislators from across America came to see the truth of Israel with our own eyes. What I experienced was both deeply moving and eye-opening. From walking the ancient streets of Jerusalem, to standing at the sites of the October 7th attacks, to hearing directly from Israeli leaders about the nation’s security challenges, this journey gave me a profound understanding of why America’s partnership with Israel matters.

Walking through the Old City of Jerusalem, I visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and prayed at the Western Wall. These sacred sites were a powerful reminder of our shared spiritual heritage and the enduring power of faith that unites us across generations.

Standing with fellow legislators at the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City. A place of prayer, reflection, and deep spiritual significance for people around the world.

At the Western Wall, I tucked my prayer into the ancient stones, joining countless others who have lifted their hopes to God here for generations.

At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, I had the profound honor of kneeling at the Stone of Anointing. The place where Jesus’ body was prepared for burial. A humbling reminder of His sacrifice and the hope we have through His resurrection.

At Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, I stood in solemn remembrance of the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. This experience reinforced the importance of confronting antisemitism, preserving truth, and ensuring such evil is never repeated.

Inside Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, I stood among artifacts that bore witness to hatred and persecution. The yellow stars, the signs marking Jewish shops, and the faces of lives lost. A sobering reminder of the cost of unchecked evil and the need to confront lies with truth.

Walking through Yad Vashem, I was confronted with the chilling propaganda that fueled one of history’s darkest chapters. The imagery of Nazi rallies and hate-filled posters serves as a stark warning: we must never allow such evil to rise again.

In meetings at the Knesset and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I witnessed firsthand the strength of the U.S.–Israel partnership. We were warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who emphasized our shared commitment to freedom and security.

Standing on the floor of the Israeli Knesset, where the nation’s leaders, including the Prime Minister, debate and make decisions. The Prime Minister’s chair is the middle seat facing us, a reminder of the weight of leadership and responsibility carried in this chamber.

A red-carpet welcome outside the Knesset, complete with our national anthem, reminded us of the strength of the U.S.–Israel partnership and the respect our nations share for one another.

I also visited southern communities devastated by Hamas’s October 7th terrorist attack, where I saw the destruction with my own eyes and heard heartbreaking stories of families who suffered unimaginable loss. At the Nova Music Festival Memorial, I paid respects to the young lives cut short by terror. These moments were sobering reminders of the evil Israel faces every day and the resilience of its people.

At his destroyed kibbutz, this courageous man walked us through the devastation of October 7th. He shared how he lost family members that day and spoke with them on the phone during the attack. His testimony was heartbreaking, yet his strength and resilience reflect the unshakable spirit of Israel.

These burned and bullet-riddled cars stand as silent witnesses to the brutal Oct. 7th invasion in Israel, a stark reminder of the innocent lives attacked that day.

At the site of the Nova festival massacre, I stood among numerous red poppies representing lives stolen on Oct. 7th. A heartbreaking reminder of the cost of terror.

In Ofakim, I joined a memorial ceremony and tree planting to honor victims of terror and then shared lunch with local youth. Their resilience and hope for the future, even in the shadow of such loss, was both humbling and inspiring.

Planting a tree in Ofakim to honor victims of terror was a powerful reminder that life and hope endure even in the face of tragedy.

At Israeli Innovation Day, I visited the Peres Peace Center and met with leading companies. Israel’s extraordinary innovations in technology, medicine, and agriculture reminded me why it is called the “Startup Nation” and how much the world benefits from its creativity and determination.

I witnessed firsthand how Israel is leading the way in technology that connects humanity with society, machines, and the earth. From breakthroughs in AI and agriculture to advancements in medicine and security, it was inspiring to see innovation with a purpose improving lives.

Later, I attended a state dinner hosted by Israel’s President celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Abraham Accords. This historic peace agreement continues to demonstrate the power of strong alliances built on shared values.

Finally, During the strategic briefing in Samaria, I heard directly from Foreign Minister Saar about the security challenges Israel faces daily. We were reminded that Samaria serves as the security buffer and strategic depth for the 3 million Jews who live in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. From the Tel Aviv coastline to Samaria is only 10 miles — a reminder of just how narrow and vulnerable Israel’s borders truly are. More than 500,000 Israeli citizens live in Judea and Samaria, making its security inseparable from the safety of Tel Aviv. This underscores why America’s unwavering support for Israel is so critical in the face of relentless threats.

From the hills of Samaria, overlooking Tel Aviv and even as far as Old Jerusalem, we were reminded of the critical role this region plays as Israel’s strategic buffer.

I visited Ichilov Hospital, where I saw firsthand how Israeli innovation is addressing PTSD, stress, and other mental health challenges. I was especially struck by how this research is giving new tools to help both soldiers and civilians heal from trauma.

At Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, I learned about Professor Talma Hendler’s 20 years of groundbreaking research in partnership with GrayMatters Health. Their brain-based therapies are now FDA-approved and used worldwide to treat veterans and trauma survivors—a powerful example of Israeli innovation saving lives and restoring hope.

I stood at the memorial in Tel Aviv honoring Charlie Kirk. These spontaneous memorials scattered across Israel including murals, memorial shells, and public installations reveal not only how deeply he was respected here, but the strength of the bond many Israelis feel with American voices who defend their cause. Standing there, I felt the weight of his legacy, and the urgency of continuing his mission of truth and unity.

Lighting a candle at the Tel Aviv memorial for Charlie Kirk was a powerful reminder that his voice for truth and courage resonates far beyond America.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed our delegation, emphasizing the unshakable bond between Israel and the United States.

Ambassador Mike Huckabee’s speech in Israel left a lasting impression on me. I’d like to share some of my thoughts, as his message speaks to the values we live by. He thanked those who “carved out time you don’t have” to come and see for yourselves what is too often misrepresented by the media and even by some governments. The point was to observe, listen, and report the truth back home.

Huckabee reminded us that Israel needs all the friends it can get and no more enemies, noting that too many accusations are irrational and untrue. He emphasized that Israel is the most resilient nation he has ever seen. While America has many allies, it has only one true partner—Israel. He pointed out that intelligence sharing is seamless and defense cooperation is unique in the world. Most importantly, he stressed, we share a Judeo-Christian foundation of Western civilization upholding religious liberty, free speech, freedom of movement, the right to associate, and the dignity of every human life.

Israel’s innovations save lives and strengthen security: Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and other systems developed at great cost benefiting the U.S. as well. Everyday technologies from GPS-style navigation to cell-phone advances, robotic surgery, and the capsule camera trace back to Israeli ingenuity. Even drip irrigation that turns deserts green.

Roughly 700,000 Americans live in Israel more than in almost any country besides Mexico. When missiles fly, Americans are at risk, too. I experienced the sirens and sounds of war, but unlike Israelis, I did not have to endure the shelters and sleepless nights that are their daily reality near Gaza and Lebanon.

Hamas’s attack murdered, massacred, and mutilated civilians, babies, mothers, elderly without checking passports. Americans were killed and taken hostage. Two deceased Americans remain in Gaza; their families deserve to bring them home for burial. During my visit, I witnessed the aftermath of this horrific day in the kibbutz communities and at the Nova music festival grounds. Solemn reminders of the evil Israel faced on October 7th.

Some accuse Israel of “genocide,” but that claim collapses under the facts. If Israel truly intended genocide, Gaza, no bigger than Las Vegas, could have been wiped out in hours. Instead, Israel takes extraordinary steps to protect civilians: dropping leaflets, sending texts, even broadcasting warnings before striking terrorist targets. These measures often put Israeli soldiers at greater risk. Meanwhile, Hamas deliberately hides behind civilians, using them as shields and propaganda tools. The truth is clear, Israel is fighting to survive.

Some critics have wrongly accused Israel of practicing “apartheid,” comparing it to South Africa’s system of racial segregation. This is simply not true. In Israel, Arab citizens have full voting rights, serve in the Knesset and even on the Supreme Court. Hospitals, schools, and workplaces are integrated, with Jews, Muslims, and Christians working and learning side by side. The restrictions in Gaza and the West Bank are based on security concerns, not race. Israel is a democracy where freedom and equality stand in sharp contrast to the hateful propaganda spread by its enemies.

Israel has allowed over 2 million tons of food into Gaza which is unprecedented in wartime. Yet hunger persists because humanitarian agencies report massive looting. Hamas steals the aid, warehouses it, and sells it, using the profits (hundreds of millions of dollars) to fund terror. That is why this war drags on.

Israeli leaders have sons and daughters fighting; they do not want endless war. They want every hostage home and a clear message that Hamas did not win so there won’t be another October 7. As Huckabee put it: “Hamas must be defeated so Israel can have a night without sirens.”

What the Israelis asked of me to bring home is simple but powerful. They asked me to tell the truth, not to rely on pundits or headlines, but to share what I saw, heard, and experienced with my own eyes. They asked me to stand with our partner, strengthening the U.S.–Israel relationship built on faith and freedom. They asked me to reject the lies and speak plainly against false accusations of genocide or apartheid. They urged me to support their peace through strength efforts: calling for the release of all hostages, the defeat of Hamas, and the security every family deserves to live without fear. And they asked me to remind America to keep its promises, because our credibility and our shared values are on the line.

I went to Israel to learn, to listen, and to serve. I return with gratitude, clarity, and conviction: standing with Israel is standing for liberty, truth, and the safety of families there and here at home. As Texans, we will continue to honor faith, defend freedom, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

This trip reinforced to me the importance of America keeping its promises, defending our allies, and ensuring that our children and grandchildren inherit a world where faith, freedom, and security remain strong. Texas and the U.S. must remain strong defenders of Israel. We must be consistent, bold, and dependable in our policies, not swayed by momentary trends.

I return home more committed than ever to strengthening the ties between Texas, the United States, and Israel and to upholding the values that make our communities, and our country, a beacon of hope to the world. The threats around us are real. But I saw relentless determination in Israel. That determination must strengthen our resolve here. We can’t drift into complacency.

Thank you for trusting me to serve you. This journey deepened my understanding, and I am more committed than ever to defending freedom, faith, and the values that unite us with Israel and with one another.

In Liberty,

Carrie Isaac
State Representative, House District 73

What I Saw in Israel—and Why It Matters to Texas and America