Rio Rancho senator to travel to Israel with nationwide delegation

RIO RANCHO — New Mexico Sen. Jay Block is headed to Israel later this year with state lawmakers from around the country.

The Republican lawmaker from Rio Rancho will be one of 200 officials from every state in the “50 States, One Israel” delegation from Sept. 13-18, he confirmed to the Observer in a recent interview.

“I’m honored they selected me,” Block said.

The trip will mark the senator’s first foreign trip since arriving at the New Mexico Roundhouse in 2025. Block originally announced his plans on his official Facebook page. In an interview, Block noted a number of other state officials, including Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, would be joining him, not all of which the Observer could confirm. Morales, however, will not be traveling to Israel despite being invited, a spokesperson said.

Block’s trip will come almost two years after Hamas’ surprise October 2023 attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of thousands of men, women and children and sparking the ongoing war between the country and Gaza. Experts believe the war caused a rise in antisemitism worldwide.

Block’s interview with the Observer came just days after the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy employees outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., on May 21. Elias Rodriguez, 30, is accused of killing Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26 — an Israeli and an American, respectively, who were about to become engaged in Jerusalem. Just moments after he allegedly shot the couple, Rodriguez allegedly told investigators, “I did it for Palestine; I did it for Gaza.” The shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism and a hate crime. Rodriguez, who faces multiple felony charges, could face the death penalty, prosecutors said in a news conference last Thursday.

Block called the shooting “sad” and said stated his belief that it happened for no reason at all. He added that he is “disgusted” by the amount of antisemitism in the U.S.

“I can understand if people are against the war over there in Gaza, which Hamas started, not Israel. I get that it’s war, and if they want the war to end, Hamas needs to surrender,” Block said.

In an interview, Block said he received the invitation from the Consulate General of Israel-Houston & the Southwest earlier this month and that the trip is entirely paid for by the Israeli government. The trip will include briefings on how the Israeli government works, meetings with top officials, and tours highlighting the country’s culture and innovation, according to Block, citing an email Consul General Livia Link-Raviv he shared with the Observer. The consulate did not immediately respond to the Observer’s request for comment.

Block said the invite came to him as a surprise, prompting him to call the Houston-based consulate to “verify this wasn’t a scam.”

But it’s official: Block, a U.S. Air Force veteran, is headed to Israel. The trip will be anything but “a boondoggle,” Block said, referring to terminology he and his comrades used in the military.

“This is an official delegation to Israel,” Block said. “It’s going to be very busy, and I look forward to working with our Israeli partners and allies.”

He said he trusts the Israeli government will protect the U.S. delegation during the trip.

Block is optimistic the Israeli officials can learn from the U.S. delegation, much like many foreign exchange programs nationwide.

“If we’re not talking, that’s really when some bad things can happen,” Block said.

Using his mantra, “Keep learning,” Block is interested in understanding issues surrounding Israel’s economic development and security.

“Everywhere I’ve traveled, I’ve learned a lot,” Block said, adding that he will have more to say when he returns from Israel.

But his plans have not gone without criticism from some constituents, who questioned on Facebook whether it is worth time for a state senator to travel abroad. Other commenters accused Block of wanting to “go to Washington, D.C.,” or “rub elbows” with officials who could advance his career. Some questioned whether it was appropriate for Block to engage in a reported all-expense-paid trip to Israel paid for by its government.

Block responded in several posts that it is typical for other countries to host state delegations and he chose to be transparent by disclosing his trip not only to the public, but the New Mexico State Ethics Commission and the New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez. Block also asked one commenter whether she is critical of overseas trips by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who lead an economic development delegation to Singapore and Japan last month.

“When you can show me (outrage) from her trips, I will engage,” Block wrote to a commenter on Facebook.

When one commenter demanded Block outright cancel his trip and pledge not to accept travel on behalf of foreign governments, Block responded responded he will not cancel his plans and believes the trip is not an example of trading favors or accepting gifts.

“You can vote me out of office on this one issue and instead get a leftist in there. Let me know how that works out for you,” Block wrote.