WJC Executive Committee - World Jewish Congress

WJC Executive Committee

WJC Executive Committee
Calendar 11 September - 12 September 2016

In Jerusalem, the World Jewish Congress held a meeting of its Executive Committee. The more than 50 Executive members and guests discussed a number of resolutions. They were received by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The WJC delegation at both meetings was headed by WJC President Ronald S. Lauder, Chairman of the Governing Board David de Rothschild, and Treasurer Chella Safra.

Netanyahu told the delegation that despite the widespread perception that Israel was isolated on the international stage, there had been a dramatic expansion of relations with countries recently, including in the Arab world, something that would have been inconceivable just five years ago. “There is a lot of talk about Israel’s isolation. I beg to differ,” Netanyahu said. Countries across the Middle East were to starting to view Israel less as an enemy and more as an important ally in the fight against terror.

At a meeting with President Reuven Rivlin, Israel's head of state focused on what he called the “three major challenges” Jewish leadership is facing today: Helping Jewish communities in need, strengthening relations between young adults and the State of Israel, and keeping Israel as a “strong, open and prosperous society.” Rivlin thanked the World Jewish Congress for working “day and night to stand up for the Jewish people, and to look after the needs of the Jewish people around the world” and added: “When I visited Bulgaria, I saw with my own eyes how World Jewish Congress helps this community, and helps ensure Jewish continuity.”

In policy resolutions, the Executive members called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to shed its anti-Israel bias and to drop the permanent agenda item dealing with the 'Occupied Palestinian Territories'. The Committee also commended Ukraine for holding a commemorative event on the 75th anniversary of the Babi Yar massacre near Kiev, but urged that WWII-era pro-Nazi fighters should not be glorified. The  World Jewish Congress also calls on Poland to halt attempts to obfuscate the killing of Jews by Poles during and after World War II, and to act against growing anti-Semitism in the country.