- Sign up for Updates
-
- Issues
- Iran
- Anti-Semitism
- Holocaust Legacy
- Inter-Religious
- Israel
- Jews in Arab Lands
- Terrorism
- Related Bodies
- WJC Foundation
- Future Generations
- International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians
- Institute of the WJC
- Israel Council on Foreign Relations
- Jewish Diplomats
- Limmud
- WJC Policy Council
- WJC Affiliates
- EuroAsian Jewish Congress
- European Jewish Congress
- Israel Branch
- Latin American Jewish Congress
- North American Jewish Congress
- World Union of Jewish Students
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Home > Publications > WJC Report > Summer 2006 > Israel 
International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians
In January, the WJC, with others hosted a conference of the International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians (ICJP). Attended by over 50 Jewish parliamentarians from 26 countries around the world, participants addressed issues of inter-religious dialogue, anti-Semitism in electronic media and the role of parliamentarians in Tikkun Olam. Congressman Gary L. Ackerman of the United States was elected ICJP President.Distinguished speakers included Shimon Peres; Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu; Dr. Bernadine Healy, former president of the American Red Cross who was recognized for her efforts in securing the admission of Magen David Adom into the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among others. Participants were hosted by Israeli President Moshe Katsav, and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, at the time Acting Prime Minister. The WJC has taken on the role of Secretariat to the ICJP launched by Lord Greville Janner of Brauntone in 1988. The next ICJP conference is scheduled for March 2007 in Washington, D.C. Other sponsors of the January conference included: The Israeli Knesset, the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, and the Israel Forum.
Israel Council on Foreign Relations Activities Holocaust Education in Latvia In February, the ICFR hosted Latvian President Dr. Vaira Vike-Freiberga during her official state visit to Israel. The President spoke of her country’s struggle for freedom during Soviet occupation and praised Israel as a role model for small countries in hostile environments. Discussions were held regarding the importance of mandating Holocaust education in Latvia. The Peace Process: A View from Spain During a state visit commemorating 20 years of diplomatic relations between Israel and Spain, Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos was hosted by the ICFR at an event that was attended by ambassadors, journalists and leading Israeli academics. Moratinos’ critical attitude towards Israel was reinforced by his comments indicating that failures of the peace process should be blamed on both Israelis and Palestinians, and that Israel should work harder to develop a relationship with the Palestinian authority. His address instigated a pointed discussion with participants.
Thomas Pickering, former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, a one-time U.S. ambassador to Israel and current Senior Vice President for International Affairs at the Boeing Corporation, addressed the ICFR on “Iran and Iraq: Challenges and Opportunities,” Pickering voiced support for improved diplomatic efforts to engage Iran. Pickering’s visit took place prior to Iranian President Ahmadinejad making a series of vitriolic remarks in which he denied the Holocaust and called for Israel’s destruction. ICFR hosted South African Ambassador to Israel, Major General Fumankile Gqiba, for a series of frank discus-sions highlighting the road to re-engagement between South Africans and Israelis. Gqiba indicated that Israel and South Africa have been taking confidence-building steps in recent years which have done much to build trust between the two countries and called on South African Jews who left the country to reapply for citizenship. Wolfensohn Addresses Palestinian-Israeli Dialogue “These days, it is a rare and extraordinary occurrence to see a gathering of Palestinians and Israelis jointly addressing the conflict which has caused them both so much suffering,” said David Kimche, Director of the ICFR, in his opening remarks at an event hosting special Middle East Envoy of the Quartet James Wolfensohn, held in cooperation with the Issam Sartawi Center for Peace and Democracy of Al-Quds University and attended by over 300 Israelis, Palestinians, diplomats and journalists. WJC hosts Dinner for Belgian Delegation The WJC hosted a dinner for a delegation of Belgian Parliamentarians visiting Israel to participate in a series of seminars at Yad Vashem. Shimon Peres and Meir Rosen, former Israeli Ambassador to France and the U.S., addressed the group. WJC hosts Dinner honoring Christian Allies In appreciation of the increasing support for Israel by Christian evangelical factions around the world, the WJC hosted the second annual “Night to Honor Our Christian Allies in Israel.” Awards were presented to several Jerusalem-based Christian organizations and participants discussed the threat of Protestant divestment from Israel and charitable projects sponsored by Christian groups in Israel.
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
