Seattle Mayor Ed Murray’s trip to Israel next week to speak at an LGBT conference and take part in a trade mission will cost taxpayers about $36,000. Murray’s spokesman previously said Israel’s foreign ministry would pay for the trip to the conference but now says Seattle is covering some expenses, including $24,000 for flights for a staff member and security guards and lodging for the guards throughout the trip.
In addition, the Seattle Fire Department is paying about $10,000 to $12,000 for two of its officials to participate in the trade mission, which was added after the mayor agreed to speak at the conference. They’ll meet with Israeli emergency medical service workers.
“This is an opportunity for the city of Seattle to highlight its role as a leader internationally in LGBT issues and also an opportunity to build valuable economic and trade ties,” Murray spokesman Viet Shelton said. “It’s important to note that a significant portion of the trip is being paid for by private and other non-taxpayer funds.”
The itinerary includes a meeting with Israel President Reuven Rivlin, visits to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and the Western Wall in Jerusalem, a journey to Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip and meetings about high-technology startups.
The mayor, who is gay and who was a leader in legalizing same-sex marriage in Washington when he was a state senator, will give the keynote closing address for the LGBT conference Thursday and will participate Friday in Tel Aviv’s Gay Pride Parade.
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Poster Comment:
The rot is terminal, only a good purge will cleanse this nation.