The Israeli-American Civic Action Network (ICAN) is a grassroots Israeli-American advocacy organization that intends to bridge the divide between American policymakers and Israelis. ICAN is comprised of Israeli immigrants and American allies who lead advocacy initiatives in an effort to create a more secure Israel, a better America, and a stronger alliance between Israel and the U.S. by fighting against anti-Semitism and the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement. ¹

The Israeli-American Civic Education Institute (ICEI) is the 501(c)(3) partner organization of ICAN. ²

Activities

The Israeli-American Civic Action Network (ICAN) was founded in 2018 and aims to empower Israeli immigrants through civic education and joint advocacy initiatives with American allies. ICAN perceives Israeli immigrants as an asset in securing and strengthening the alliance between Israel and the U.S. ICAN claims to have over 16,000 Israeli and American advocates engaging in civic action to hold elected officials accountable. ³

ICAN maintains four founding state committees, in California, Nevada, Washington, and Massachusetts, and currently supports initiatives in 15 additional states. To date, ICAN has supported 48 bills and local initiatives in its fight against anti-Semitism and the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement. ⁴  ICAN advocates for unequivocal support for Israel and strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and Israel in the scientific and economic sectors, sustainable development, and cybersecurity.  ICAN also advocates for legislation that prevents actions intended to delegitimize Israel by those in the BDS Movement. ⁵

In 2022, the Israeli-American Civic Action Network was one of 28 organizations that signed a petition to top officials at the Department of State, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Justice requesting that the BDS movement be monitored, investigated, and prosecuted as necessary. ⁶ In 2023, ICAN was one of the organizations that endorsed the Zachor Legal Institute’s special brief entitled “The Unseen Threat of The Mapping Project,” intended to provide further evidence that the Mapping Project is a potentially dangerous organization that threatens the security of U.S. assets and institutions. The report claimed that the Mapping Project may be trying to garner support from both the radical right and radical left and that Iranian elements may be involved in the creation and promotion of the Mapping Project. ⁷

Financials

The Israeli-American Civic Action Network (ICAN)’s finances are unknown as it has filed only filed Form 990-N postcards for tax years 2018 through 2021, reporting less than $50,000 in revenue. ⁸

Leadership

Dillon Hosier is the CEO of Israeli-American Civic Action Network. Hosier formerly worked as national director of state and local government affairs at the Israeli-American Coalition for Action and as a senior advisor to the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles. ⁹

Sigal Chattah is the chair of ICAN, a criminal lawyer in Las Vegas, and a member of the State Bar of Nevada Ethics and Disciplinary Committee. In 2022, Chattah was the Republican candidate for Attorney General of Nevada. ¹⁰ In 2023, Chattah was the first Israeli American to be elected to a Republican National Committee position. ¹¹

Other members of the board have included Tal Journo and Nimrod Vered. ¹²

1. “About.” Israeli-American Civic Action Network. Accessed November 5, 2023. https://israelusa.org/about/.
2. “Donate.” Israeli-American Civic Education Institute. Accessed November 1, 2023. http://institute.israelusa.org/donate/?_gl=1*15kxngd*_ga*ODYxMjY3MTU0LjE2OTg4ODA5MTc.*_ga_LY05DJC1C1*MTY5ODg4MDkxNy4xLjEuMTY5ODg4MTM1MS4wLjAuMA..&_ga=2.214196692.2101338329.1698880917-861267154.1698880917.
3. “About.” Israeli-American Civic Action Network. Accessed November 5, 2023. https://israelusa.org/about/.
4. “About.” Israeli-American Civic Action Network. Accessed November 5, 2023. https://israelusa.org/about/.
5. “Platform.” Israeli-American Civic Action Network. Accessed November 5, 2023. https://israelusa.org/platform/.
6. Machol, Ron. “Coalition of 28 Organizations Petition the Government to Investigate BDS Groups with Ties to Terror.” Zachor Legal Institute, December 14, 2022. Accessed November 1, 2023. https://www.einpresswire.com/article/606085321/coalition-of-28-organizations-petition-the-government-to-investigate-bds-groups-with-ties-to-terror.
7. “The Unseen Threat of The Mapping Project.” Zachor Legal Institute, February 2023. Accessed November 1, 2023. https://zachorlegal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Mapping-Project-Special-Brief.pdf.
8. “Israeli-American Civic Action Network.” GuideStar. Accessed November 5, 2023.  https://www.guidestar.org/profile/83-2125118.
9. “Dillon Hosier.” LinkedIn. Accessed November 1, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dillonhosier/.
10.  Kampeas, Ron. “A Nevada conservative running for attorney general leans hard into her Israeliness.” The Times of Israel, December 19, 2021. Accessed November 5, 2023. https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-nevada-conservative-running-for-attorney-general-leans-hard-into-her-israeliness/.
11. ^[1] Bandler, Aaron. “Meet the First Israeli American Elected to an RNC Position.” Jewish Journal, January 19, 2023. Accessed November 5, 2023. https://jewishjournal.com/news/united-states/355262/meet-the-first-israeli-american-elected-to-an-rnc-position/.
12. “New Israeli-American Advocacy Initiative Launches Platform for Israel Engagement.” PR.com, October 02, 2018. Accessed November 5, 2023. https://www.pr.com/press-release/766262.