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Firsthand experiences are the most effective way to understand the realities in Israel, the impact of antisemitism on Jewish communities, and to celebrate the diverse traditions of Jews across different countries.
Antisemitism is not just a problem for the Jewish community, it impacts all of society. This underscores why it is essential that the World Jewish Congress shares our story with leaders from around the globe. This empowers them to return to their communities as knowledgeable advocates and allies, ready to make a difference.
The World Jewish Congress sent a group of 14 judges from the United States traveled to Israel for an educational visit aimed at understanding horrors of the October 7 Hamas terror attack and its implications for the country. The delegation engaged in discussions with Israeli legal experts, visited the Supreme Court, and met with Justice Ofer Grosskopf.
Topics explored included International Humanitarian Law and the legal challenges arising from the current Israel-Hamas War. Additionally, they spoke with representatives from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, including Tal Becker, who defended Israel before the International Court of Justice against South Africa’s genocide accusations, and IDF representatives to gain insights into legal perspectives and challenges faced in conflict situations.
The World Jewish Congress, in collaboration with Lawyers for Israel and Stand with Humanity, brought together thirty leading legal professionals from across the world, including partners, managing directors, prospective judges, and in-house counsel from prominent technology corporations, for its International Lawyers' Solidarity Mission to Israel.
Delegation participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the country’s legal landscape and the humanitarian impact of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. The trip included a variety of experiences aimed at providing a multifaceted perspective, ensuring a well-rounded insight into the complex dynamics of the region and an immersive approach with different facets of Israeli society.
Before a visit to Kfar Aza and the site of the Nova music festival, the group met with the legal department of the Hostage & Missing Families Forum, for a briefing on the current state of the hostages and negotiations.
World Jewish Congress-Israel led a delegation to Kibbutz Kfar Aza and Sderot to express unwavering support for Israel and to bear witness to the devastation and atrocities caused by Hamas terrorists on Shabbat Simchat Torah, October 7th, 2023. The delegation included members of its board, the WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps, the Israel Council on Foreign Relations board, and representatives of other NGOs.
Commencing at Kibbutz Kfar Aza, one of the places hardest hit on October 7th, the group witnessed firsthand the destruction wrought by Hamas and the civilian mob that accompanied the terrorists. The delegation saw many damaged and burned-down houses, along with other indications and evidence of the widespread carnage that occurred, including the abduction of dozens of residents.
The World Jewish Congress brought a group of fourteen young leaders and changemakers affiliated with WJC Elevate visited Israel to gain firsthand insights into the situation in the areas surrounding the Gaza border.
The delegation traveled to the southern region of Israel and visited Kfar Azza, one of the kibbutzim most severely affected by the October 7 attack, and Shefayim, a kibbutz in central Israe, now a sanctuary for evacuees from Kibbutz Azza. Participants visited the headquarters of "Bring Them Home Now," a volunteer-based organization dedicated to recovering hostages from Gaza, where they heard from families of the hostages and Colette Avital, member of the WJC Executive Committee and a “Bring Them Home Now” organizer. The trip culminated at Expo Tel Aviv, a converted parking lot now serving as a bustling hub for collecting supplies and donations for those affected by the war.