BOISE, Idaho — A group of more than 150 Idahoans, including leaders of youth political groups, human rights advocates, and local candidates is calling for House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel (D-Boise) to resign from her leadership position after a recent trip to Israel.
A letter was delivered by the petitioners to Rubel on Friday morning, urging her to apologize and step down. The letter also recommends she reconsider running for reelection in 2026.
WATCH: Open letter calls for Democratic House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel to resign over Israel trip.
The signers criticized Rubel for attending the “50 States, One Israel” conference, which featured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog as speakers. The letter described the trip as “Israeli-funded propaganda” and said Rubel’s participation “deeply violated our values not just as Democrats but as Americans.”
Rubel traveled with four Idaho Republicans and joined more than 200 U.S. Democratic and Republican legislators at the conference, which allegedly did not include any Palestinian speakers or visits to Palestinian territories, according to petitioners. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog addressed the event.
In a Facebook post, Rubel said she went to Israel to “gain a deeper understanding of this conflict” and that she directly asked Herzog about civilian casualties in Gaza. She added that “listening and asking questions isn’t a sign of agreement — it’s a way to build understanding.”
Notable signers of the letter include leaders of youth political groups, human rights advocates, and local candidates.
Rubel was joined on the trip by four Republican lawmakers: Representatives Bruce Skaug, Josh Tanner, Barbara Ehardt and John Shirts
In a statement to Idaho News 6, Representative Shirts said, “I am a strong supporter of Israel and its fight against terrorism. I was grateful for the opportunity to see firsthand the challenges Israel and the region are facing and to strengthen relationships with a longtime ally of our country.”
