World Jewish Congress leaders at Israel anniversary forum
World Jewish Congress president Ronald S. Lauder, the chairman of the WJC American Section, Rabbi Marc Schneier, and the director of the Israel Branch of the World Jewish Congress, Oded Eran, have taken part in the ‘Facing Tomorrow’ conference hosted by Israel’s president Shimon Peres in Jerusalem on the occasion of the State’s 60th anniversary. At a panel discussion on Israel-Diaspora relations WJC president Lauder, who was part of the official US delegation that accompanied US president Bush to Israel, underlined the danger posed by Iran. Lauder said financial sanctions against Iran were required to stop the regime in Tehran acquiring nuclear weapons.
President Shimon Peres told participants and guests that Iran belonged in the past while Israel represented the future. He also emphasized the importance of discovery and science, for which Israel claims a significant role in its sixty years of existence. "This conference is the answer to Iran, it is the future that exists," Peres said in his address. The president also asserted that scientific discovery was more important than the discovery of America, because the new world had borders while science is infinite.
The proceedings of the presidential conference, including podcasts, can be viewed here |
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Jewish communities around the world are joining in celebrating the 60th anniversary of Israel’s independence and the declaration of the State of Israel. The World Jewish Congress and its affiliates have always been at the forefront of defending Israel against its enemies, and will continue to do so. Jews everywhere in the world are proud of the achievements of Israel in the fields of agriculture, science and technology.
Despite many external threats and internal difficulties, the State of Israel has always been a fully-fledged democracy in which the rule of law is upheld.
In little more than 60 years five million immigrants from over 80 countries, many of them poor, were integrated into Israeli society. They have built a dynamic country, an island of prosperity in a region which economically is still lagging behind.
Together with its affiliated communities, the World Jewish Congress salutes the citizens of Israel, both Jewish and non-Jewish, and congratulates them on these marvelous achievements. We express hope that their – and their neighbors’ – security and well-being will soon be further enhanced by a successful peace process.
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