The World Jewish Congress (WJC) arrived in Israel this week for a fact-finding mission for leading legal academics at American universities. Institutions represented included New York University, Boston College, University of Maryland, Indiana University, Duquesne University, University of San Diego, South Texas College of Law, Southern Illinois University, George Mason University, and University of New Hampshire. 

The four-day agenda broadened the delegation’s understanding of the impact that the October 7 Hamas massacre has had on Israel, as well as the resilience of the country’s legal system both domestically and in the context of international courts such as the ICC and ICJ. 

The World Jewish Congress concluded a meeting of the organization’s Executive Committee on following a two-day solidarity mission that included visits to sites associated with the October 7th attacks and a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at his official residence, to gain a fuller understanding of the challenges Israelis now face.

The delegation, comprising representatives from more than two dozen countries as well as student organizations, met with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana as well as Meirav Cohen, who previously served as a government minister and is now a member of the Knesset for Yesh Atid.

A delegation of 60 WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps Members from 20 countries visited Israel this week to commemorate Yom HaShoah (Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day), which took on additional resonance this year following the October 7th terrorist attack, and to gain firsthand insights into the situation in the areas surrounding the Gaza border.

The delegation opened on Sunday with a Yom HaShoah commemoration ceremony, commencing with a welcome speech delivered by Deputy Director Gabriel Rosenberg. Hosted by Tamara Fathi, a Steering Committee Member of the JDCorps, members Sara Galico, Steven Guttmann, Sofia Cohen, Ariel Krok, Karina Arlin, and Danny Mosfowitz lit six candles in honor of the six million Jewish victims before participants heard the testimony of Holocaust survivor Yona Laks, and the recitation of the Kaddish (the Jewish prayer recited in memory of the dead) and El Male Rachamim (the Jewish prayer for mercy), which were respectively recited by Eyal Raviv and Rabbi Yoni Shalom.

The World Jewish Congress (WJC), together with the German Football League (DFL), is proud to announce a special delegation visit to Israel to mark the occasion of Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. This initiative underscores the power of sports in bridging communities and commemorating historical events.

Members of the delegation, consisting of officials from clubs across the first and second divisions of German football, took part in the official Yom Hashoah ceremony held at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, marking a significant moment of reflection and commemoration. The group also took part in a workshop at Yad Vashem the next day, aimed at deepening understanding of the Holocaust and highlighting the responsibilities of sports organizations in promoting tolerance and remembrance.

Upon arriving in Israel on Saturday the group met with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Tel Aviv and attended the evening rally in Hostages Square.

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.