WILMINGTON — When the Anti-Defamation League offered U.S. police officers an all-expense-paid visit to Israel, Colonel Matthew Birmingham, director of the Vermont State Police, agreed to be part of that group.
According to State Police Spokesperson Adam Silverman, the event provided “an opportunity to interact with Israeli and Palestinian law-enforcement agencies, observe the security strategies and systems Israel uses to prevent terror attacks, and discuss the challenges the parties face in the region.”
According to VtDigger, “Birmingham accepted the invitation from the Anti-Defamation League, a civil rights organization that advocates for Israel, to take part in the seminar along with about 50 fellow law enforcement leaders from across the United States.”
“It would have been Birmingham's first time taking part in the seminar, with expenses covered by the ADL. A previous state police director, Col. Thomas J. L'Esperance, attended the seminar in the past.”
I was disappointed to learn that “[f]ollowing his acceptance of the invitation, Col. Birmingham heard concerns from fellow Vermonters about attending the seminar,” Silverman's statement said.
“The Colonel and Commissioner of Public Safety Thomas D. Anderson weighed the pros and cons of the trip, and after discussing the options agreed that it would be in the best interests of the Vermont State Police for Col. Birmingham to withdraw his participation,” VtDigger wrote, quoting Silverman's statement.
I am concerned and distressed that individuals can so easily be influenced by political groups that perceive only Palestinians as victims in the Middle East. Having visited Israel a number of times, I know there are Israelis and Palestinians who are grateful the Israeli police have superior expertise that both prevents violence and protects them.
Vermonters lost out on the experience our officers would have obtained if Colonel Birmingham attended the training. They would have seen Israelis and Palestinians cooperating in defense of their country.
We, citizens of Vermont missed out because of political groups who put their beliefs before our safety. Our officers deserve the best training or strategies available in the world in order to protect us against any danger that may occur.