JERUSALEM – The World Jewish Congress will host a special mission of more than 80 Jewish leaders from 40 different countries around the world in Jerusalem next week, in the first of a series of events over the course of the coming months to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the State of Israel.
The delegates will meet with Israeli cabinet ministers, members of Knesset, and government representatives, for frank discussions on the State of Israel today and its relations with Diaspora Jewry, and will also take an in-depth tour of the Western Wall. Key speakers include Minister of Diaspora Naftali Bennet, Transportation and Intelligence Minister Israel Katz, Opposition Leader MK Isaac “Bougie” Herzog, Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Zeev Elkin, and Director General of the Prime Minister’s Office Eli Groner, among others.
The mission will be hosted by World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder, WJC Chief Executive Officer Robert Singer, and the Chairman of WJC-Israel Gad Ariely.
The WJC event will culminate on Monday evening, leading into the opening plenary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Global Forum on Anti-Semitism, which WJC President Lauder will address as a keynote speaker.
Ahead of the event, WJC President Lauder said: “Seventy years ago, the Jewish people experienced the greatest miracle of our time: The creation of the State of Israel and the ingathering of exiles from all over the world. Israel today is still a miracle, thriving with the same purpose as when it was established in 1948 in the vision of Theodor Herzl, as an innovative country on ancient historic land and as an integral part of Jewish identity worldwide.
"The World Jewish Congress is committed to working tirelessly for the success and security of the State of Israel, and its people. As we kick off the celebrations of this momentous milestone in Jewish history, let us remember that regardless of where we may live, it our duty to make sure the only Jewish state in the world continues to flourish.”