Israeli lawmakers reach out to US Jews on anti-Semitism

In this Tuesday, March 28, 2017 photo Israeli Knesset lawmakers, from the left, Mickey Levy, of the Yesh Atid party, Rachel Azaria, of the Kulanu party, and Tali Ploskov, also of the Kulanu party, laugh during an interview with a reporter from The Associated Press, in Boston. The lawmakers are to participate Wednesday, March 29, in a town hall at a synagogue, in Brookline, Mass., to discuss anti-Semitism in the U.S., among other issues. Limor Rubin, a non-profit program director, is seated at right. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (The Associated Press)

In this Tuesday, March 28, 2017, photo Israeli Knesset lawmaker Tali Ploskov responds to questions from an Associated Press reporter, in Boston. Ploskov is among five members of the Knesset scheduled to participate Wednesday, March 29, in a town hall at a synagogue, in Brookline, Mass., to discuss anti-Semitism in the U.S., among other issues. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (The Associated Press)

BOSTON – A group of lawmakers representing a cross-section of Israel's political spectrum is reaching out to American Jews to discuss anti-Semitism in the United States.

The visit by the five members of the Knesset, or parliament, this week comes at a time when anxiety over anti-Semitic activity is running high in both countries.

The group arrived in Boston Tuesday after attending the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference in Washington. On Wednesday, the lawmakers plan to discuss anti-Semitism with members of the Boston-area Jewish community.

The meeting was planned during a wave of bomb threats against Jewish institutions, but prior to the arrest last week of a 19-year-old American-Israeli in connection with many of the threats. The lawmakers say the arrest should not detract from the struggle to contain anti-Semitism.