Tamarisk residents hear about Israel law enforcement exchange

On Nov. 18, retired State Police Lt. Col. Joseph Philbin spoke to 35 residents of the Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living Residence in Warwick. He described his trip to Israel for the Law Enforcement Exchange training program, which is organized by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). His talk emphasized the strong personal attachment to Israel he feels as a result of the trip. 

He also spoke about political opposition to the training, which caused the Northampton, Massachusetts, police and the Vermont State Police to withdraw from the program. Philbin said that he saw no evidence of alleged “militarization” of American law enforcement as a result of training in Israel. 

Residents asked a number of questions and responded when Philbin talked about his 91-year-old mother.

The Tamarisk program was sponsored by the Rhode Island Coalition for Israel (www.ricoalitionforisrael.org) which has been organizing public appearances around the state for Philbin. His next presentation will be Dec. 18 at a dinner at Touro Fraternal Association in Cranston.

Submitted by Rhode Island Coalition for Israel