AJC Mourns the Passing of Chairman Eliot Engel

American Jewish Committee (AJC) mourns the passing of former Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Eliot Engel, a steadfast champion of democratic values, U.S. global leadership, and the U.S.-Israel relationship. A close partner to AJC, Engel worked to confront antisemitism, strengthen democratic alliances, and push back against shared threats to the United States and its partners.

AJC CEO Ted Deutch, who served in the House of Representatives with Engel, including on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said, "Serving alongside Eliot Engel was one of the great privileges of my time in Congress. Eliot combined deep moral clarity with an unwavering commitment to America's alliances, especially the U.S.-Israel relationship. He led the Foreign Affairs Committee with principle, steadiness, and a genuine respect for colleagues on both sides of the aisle. I was proud to call him not only a colleague, but a friend."

Over his more than three decades in Congress, Engel was a leading advocate for Israel's security, including advancing missile defense cooperation - namely the U.S.-Israel Arrow and Iron Dome programs - and a strong proponent of sanctions to counter Iran's nuclear ambitions, including support for the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act, the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, and related sanctions measures.

He co-founded the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, underscoring his commitment to coordinated, cross-party action. He actively engaged in caucuses that reinforced his view of collaboration leading to a more peaceful, interconnected world, including the Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance and the Jewish-Latino Congressional Caucus.

In 2019, AJC honored his enduring commitment to human rights, democratic principles, and the U.S.-Israel relationship with the AJC Congressional Leadership Award. At the time, then-AJC President John Shapiro remarked, "In New York, Washington, and around the world, you have been a valued partner in building more just societies. You are a passionate voice for American leadership in the world, a steadfast friend of the U.S.-Israel relationship and the Jewish people."

As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Engel helped shape a U.S. foreign policy grounded in values and alliances, reinforcing bipartisan support for Israel and sustained American engagement on the global stage. As AJC mourns the passing of Congressman Engel, we commit to carrying forth his enduring legacy.

American Jewish Committee (AJC) is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, creating trusted partnerships with leaders around the world to ensure Jews and Israel are safe and thriving. Through 40 offices and dozens of partnerships with Jewish communities worldwide, AJC engages leaders in more than 110 countries, empowering those in government, education, partner communities, and the private sector to counter antisemitism and act as allies. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.

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