|
Conference of Presidents: "Israel Has Strong Ties with U.S. Administration and Congress
Full Congressional support for sanctions against Iran, criticism of Goldstone Report, support of Operation Cast Lead, and the maintenance of Israel's military qualitative edge
Jerusalem, February 16, 2010 ... During a press conference, prior to the Conference of Presidents' Israel Mission 2010, Chairman Alan Solow and CEO Malcolm Hoenlein spoke of the continuing strong relationship between Israel and the US administration as well as US Congress in many areas, noting the unanimous Senate support for sanctions against Iran, overwhelming strong rejection of the Goldstone Report, as well as the overwhelming support of Operation Cast Lead and the maintenance of Israel's military qualitative edge. "The bonds between Israel and the US grow stronger as stakes are bigger than ever," Solow and Hoenlein stated, "The polls show American support Israel in greater numbers despite a general trend toward isolationism."
Solow and Hoenlein referred to the increasing global attempts at delegitimizing Israel: "Israel's very sovereignty is challenged, its right to self defense is denied, its history revised and there are constant threats of lawfare actions. And while Israel offered to freeze settlements, recognized the two state solution and removed many roadblocks, we are not seeing any effort to reduce ongoing Palestinian incitement. You cannot have President Abbas or Prime Minister Fayyad honor as Shahid those who carry out terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens, fomenting an atmosphere of hatred and provocation. This is not the way to move forward towards achieving peace. "
The Conference of Presidents' heads stressed the importance of public diplomacy and hasbarah efforts, which require Israel and the Diaspora to work together: "We must form a common approach to overcome the attempts to bar Israeli and Jewish speakers and shout them down in campuses. Hasbarah must go on the offensive. While there have been dialogues during the year, the positives in US-Israel relations do not get media attention," Solow and Hoenlein noted.
"We must act now, and constantly remind ourselves that we will all be held to account by future generations, whose security depends on our present actions. American Jewry and world Jewry must also live up to the obligation to create mechanisms to effectively respond. It is not just Israel's responsibility but the Jewish world's, whose fate is intertwined with Israel's."
During the Conference of Presidents' Israel Mission (February 16-20), in its meeting with Israel's political, military and economic leaders, the delegation will envision the challenges facing Israel in 2030.
|
