The Times of Israel editor David Horovitz on Nov. 30 briefed nearly 50 congressional staffers on Capitol Hill. The event, sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation, focused on the challenges Israel is facing in the aftermath of the conflict in Gaza.

Horovitz discussed the difficulties in defeating an enemy operating within a civilian population and detailed the great lengths Israel has taken to defend its own citizens, including through help from United States to deploy Iron Dome. He warned that U.N. recognition of Palestine as a non-member state observer will hurt peace efforts and raised questions about PA President Mahmoud Abbas’ commitment to negotiations in light of his vitriolic speech to the United Nations.

Horovitz said all of this is happening against the backdrop of Iran closing in on a nuclear weapons capability. Horovitz also discussed the upcoming elections in Israel, saying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party is looking strong to win the most seats in the Knesset. Despite the myriad of challenges, Horovitz said Israelis were continuing to live their lives and remain committed to peace with their neighbors.