JERUSALEM — During a fireside chat at the 17th World Jewish Congress (WJC) Plenary Assembly in Jerusalem, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar delivered an in-depth overview of the State of Israel’s relationship with Jewish communities around the world as well as the country’s ongoing humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Sa’ar reaffirmed the enduring bonds between Israel and the Diaspora, emphasizing the “shared destiny” and mutual responsibility that unite the Jewish people globally.
The foreign minister’s remarks were warmly received by WJC delegates representing more than 70 countries, who welcomed his call to deepen engagement and partnership during a time of heightened global challenges.
Following the conversation with Minister Sa’ar WJC delegates transferred to the plenary hall where they welcomed the families of four Israeli hostages taken on October 7th. Each family member shared stories of their loved ones while urging the assembled WJC leaders to keep fighting for their return after 592 days in captivity.
“We live in a time when people have short attention spans,” said Yasmin Magal, a cousin of Israeli-American solider Omer Neutra. “We need to keep the story alive until Omer—and everyone else—is back home.”
Also on Tuesday, results of the previous day’s WJC’s Executive Committee elections were announced.
Representing WJC’s Affiliated Communities: Petr Papousek (Czechia); Alexander Bilinkis (Moldova)*; Nina Ofner Bokan (Montenegro)*; Ralph Friedländer (Switzerland); Saul Levine (Venezuela)
Ad Personam: Efrat Shaoulian-Sopher; Gad Arieli **; Marcos Peckel; Moshe Ronen; Noemi Di Segni
Young Leadership: Elizabeth Chen*; Hadassa Getsztain; Marie-Sarah Seeberger*
International Organizations: Sara Winkowski (International Council of Jewish Women); Anat Vidor (Women’s International Zionist Organization-WIZO); Josh Cohen (World Union of Jewish Students-WUJS)
Additional positions included: Colette Avital (Co-Commissioner for Holocaust Legacy), Pierre Besnainou (Vice President), David Humpheys (General Counsel), and Claudio Lottenberg (Commissioner for Combating Antisemitism)
On Monday, Lauder, who has served as WJC President since 2007, was unanimously re-elected by delegates of the Plenary. Chella Safra was elected Chair of the WJC Governing Board, Aaron Frankel was named Treasurer, and David Koschitzky, Chair of WJC North America, was tapped to lead the WJC Policy Council, joining co-Chair Robert Goot of Australia. Lauder was presented with Israel’s Presidential Medal of Honor by President Isaac Herzog.
Prior to the session with Minister Sa’ar WJC leaders heard from a collection of speakers including Israeli journalist Amit Segal, Die Welt Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Wilton, Bayer’s VP of Public Affairs Matthias Berninger, and Rabbi Michael Melchior. TikTok COO Adam Presser also spoke to the group on Monday.
Delegates at the Assembly also voted on a comprehensive slate of policy resolutions. Read more about the full set of resolutions below:
Unwavering
Support for Israel
Zionism
as the Heart of Jewish Identity
Taskforce
on Islamist Extremism
Confronting
Online Hate
Remembering
and Safeguarding the Holocaust
Jewish
Unity Through Shared Responsibility
Empowering
Young Jewish Leaders
Expanding
Leadership in Jewish Communities
Fighting
Antisemitism in Latin America
Strengthening
Israel-Diaspora Partnership
Jewish
- Catholic Relations
WJC
Strategic Priorities 2025–2029
*New member of the World Jewish Congress Executive Committee.
** Returning member of the WJC Executive Committee following term of absence.
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