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Top American Jewish Leaders Arrive in Israel for 36th Conference of Presidents Leadershp Mission
Delegation to Discuss Global Challenges to Israel, the Iranian Threat, Prospects for U.S.-Israel Relations and the Peace Process
Jerusalem, February 15, 2010… The 36th annual Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations Leadership Mission in Israel opens its five-day meeting tomorrow (Tuesday, February 16), bringing more than 100 Jewish leaders representing the Conference of Presidents 52 member organizations to Israel. The delegation, headed by Chairman Alan Solow and Executive Vice President Malcolm Hoenlein, will meet with the President of the State of Israel Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Opposition Leader Tzipi Livni, and a wide array of leaders, opinion molders, academics and experts.
During the Leadership Mission (February 16-20), the delegation will also meet with Minister of Defense Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi in order to discuss the growing Iranian threat and regional challenges. Global perceptions of Israel and the Jewish community will be discussed with government officials, policy experts and leading journalists, including Minister Dan Meridor, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Daniel Ayalon and Minister of Information and Diaspora Affairs Yuli Edelshtein.
“We arrive in Israel in turbulent times. The increasing efforts to delegitimize Israel and its right to defend itself call for an urgent mobilization to fight the global anti-Israel bias. Our interaction with Israel’s leadership will allow us to enhance our ability to contribute to hasbarah efforts in the age of the new media,” Alan Solow and Malcolm Hoenlein said.
“This year’s visit will also allow us to explore in depth the prospect for peaceful Jewish-Arab coexistence and on-the-ground efforts in Gilboa and Jenin with Israeli and Palestinian leaders who are promoting the creation of a new reality,” Solow and Hoenlein added.
For nearly 60 years, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations has been the proven and effective advocate for organized American Jewry on vital issues of international and national interest. The delegation arrives in Israel following its strategic visit to South Africa. The Conference of Presidents discussed with top South African leaders the challenges to Africa, Iran’s global threats, relations with the U.S. and Israel, human rights and promoting democratic values.
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