Twenty-five Republican and 31 Democratic members of Congress are traveling to Israel during Congress’ August recess.

The GOP mission, which began this week, is being led by House of Representatives Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the only Jewish Republican in the Congress. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) will lead the Democratic trip, which begins this weekend. The American Israel Education Foundation, a charitable organization affiliated with AIPAC, is financing both missions.

Participants on both trips are scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. — jta