Flathead County Commissioner Randy Brodehl toured Israel in late August at the expense of the Israeli government.  

He was the sole Montanan in a group of 10 local government leaders from Idaho, Washington and California invited by the Consulate General of Israel San Francisco to visit the nation.  

All of it came as a surprise to the county commissioner. And it remains a surprise. 

“I have no idea why they selected me,” Brodehl said.  

When an email from the consulate landed in his inbox on July 16, Brodehl figured it spam. Deputy Consul General Maya Avishai told the Inter Lake that participants were selected based on community needs and recommendations from professional contacts. She did not elaborate on why Brodehl was chosen. 

The purpose of the trip was to foster relationships between American and Israeli professionals, according to the attached invitation letter from Ambassador Marco Sermoneta, consul general of Israel to the Pacific Northwest. Avishai said multiple delegation trips are organized annually.  

Brodehl flew out Aug. 28 and spent five days in Israel before returning home on Sept. 4. Flights and lodging were covered by the Israeli government, Brodehl said, and all other expenses came out of his own pocket. County Administrator Pete Melnick confirmed no tax dollars were expended on the trip.  

Once Flathead County officials verified the invite, Brodehl said he was excited to speak with Israeli officials and experience the country for the first time.  

“The people of Israel are incredibly resilient,” he said.  

The American delegation spoke with survivors of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks, met with Tel Aviv city leaders and toured the Alma Research and Education Center, a nonprofit organization that specializes in Israel’s security challenges.  

Brodehl said he returned home with a fresh perspective on his approach to support population growth, strengthen security and encourage business development in Flathead County. It also reaffirmed his support for the U.S. in its war against Iran. 

“Iran will continue to grow as a feeder for terrorism,” Brodehl said. “That’s what we have to stop. We have to do what’s right.” 

Report for America Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 406-758-4439 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.

    (Left to right) City Councilmember Yang Shao of Fremont, California; Flathead County Commissioner Randy Brodehl; City Councilmember Ted Fremouw of Vacaville, California; and City Councilmember Tom Cline of Gilroy, California pose for a photo in the Leonardo Plaza Hotel in Jerusalem on Aug. 30, 2026. (Courtesy)
      American city and county leaders receive presentation of high tech start-up companies in Israel in September 2026. (Courtesy)
      Flathead County Commissioner Randy Brodehl poses with a woman on Sept. 1, 2026, at the site of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack at the Nova Music Festival. She was one of the survivors from the attack, Brodehl said. (Courtesy)