Lieberman Unable to Attend Restoring Courage Jerusalem Event

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) will not be attending Glenn Beck's Restoring Courage event in Jerusalem next week, a spokesperson for the senator said Friday.

"Because of a family commitment, Sen. Lieberman will regrettably not be able to attend the Restoring Courage rally which Glenn Beck and others are holding in Jerusalem, Israel on August 24," a Lieberman spokesperson told Washington Jewish Week.

Lieberman first announced his intention to attend the event, schedule permitting, during an appearance on Beck's Fox News show in June. In subsequent discussions, the senator's attendance was never definite.

Lieberman, who is Jewish, was a longtime member of the Democratic Party before switching to become an independent. He has long been an ardent supporter and defender of Israel.

"Sen. Lieberman supports this event and wishes he could be there in person to express his support for a secure and free Israel, for Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel, and for a rock-solid U.S.-Israel relationship based on shared, eternal values and common current interests and enemies," the spokesperson said.

Lieberman's announcement comes one day after Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) told Beck the House Ethics Committee barred members of Congress from attending the event. On Friday, however, Walsh said that after a follow-up conversation with the Committee where he clarified the event's purpose, he could be cleared to go.