T

here’s good news for the Washington Jewish community: An 18-month public campaign for direct flights between Israel and the American capital has finally borne fruit. United Airlines has now launched three direct flights weekly between Dulles Airport and Ben-Gurion Airport. I spoke to Ron Halber, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, who, together with other representatives, helped make this happen.

First of all, congrats. How did this all happen?

Part of the reason it was so easy for [United] to make this decision is that the Philadelphia line has been discontinued. There’s also no direct flight from Atlanta, which was once the starting point for many from the evangelical community. Moreover, the Greater Washington Jewish community is 300,000 strong.

Why do you think it took so long to open a direct line?

It always seemed odd that we didn’t have a direct flight. This was really a Jewish communal collaborative effort, with both public and private involvement. We also worked with the Israeli American Council, hand in hand with our Israeli brothers and sisters, and I think their participation in the process was very helpful, adding the dimension of a population that’s going to fly back and forth to Israel all the time.

What immediate effect will the new line have on the Jewish community?

It’s going to make it a lot easier for us to put together missions to Israel because the costs will be reduced, and it’ll be much more convenient. I’m hoping this will also be instrumental in taking elected officials and other personalities to Israel. (Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 722)