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- Written by Michael Jankelowitz
The Jewish People Challenges Conference of the World Zionist Organization was held on Tuesday, February 27th at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem in the presence of 500 Jewish leaders from 38 countries. The conference was held in the presence of the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog, Chairman of the World Zionist Organization Yaakov Hagoel, his deputies, Dr. Yizhar Hess and Gael Gruenwald and the organization's President Tova Dorfman.
The leaders heard reviews and discussions from the spokesperson of the Israel Defense Force Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, former head of IDF Intelligence Major General (ret.) Tamir Hayman, and were moved to hear Thomas Hand whose daughter was held hostage by Hamas.They also sat down for in-depth discussions on the fight against anti-Semitism and the future of the Jewish People in the Diaspora.
Yaakov Hagoel, Chairman of the World Zionist Organization expressed :
"It is exciting to see so many leaders from all over the world who, despite travel warnings, despite the complex situation, came to Israel to discuss the many challenges and the future of the Jewish people. The time has come for us all to be together, and each one in his/her field - we will invest in the future, in the eternity of our people - united, identified and more connected to their roots, tradition and land.'
President Isaac Herzog said : “There is a terrible rise in antisemitism. People taking off mezuzot in modern Western democracies! Jewish schools and synagogues being attacked. We know that in each generation they rise up to annihilate us - and now we see it coming true in our generation. But there is a silver lining - and that is the unity of the Jewish people. Now is the time for Jews to unite all over the world together, to fight back, not to be fearful, to fight in the legal arena, to fight in the public arena, and all over.
The Jewish world is facing one of its greatest challenges, definitely since the Second World War. Now is the time to work together and fight back.”
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The World Zionist Organization is committed to promoting Zionism & the Zionist idea and the Zionist enterprise through Israel Education as vital and positive elements of contemporary Jewish life, in accordance with the principles articulated in the Jerusalem Program. This manifesto is dedicated to instilling the centrality of Israel and Jerusalem its capital deep within Jewish consciousness, encouraging the return to Zion, fashioning an exemplary society in the Jewish state, expanding Zionist education including Hebrew language instruction, settling the land, and combating Anti-Semitism.
The WZO strives to enhance the impact of Zionist ideology and activity in Jewish communities around the world, including Israel, both by working through shlichim of the Zionist Federations and their constituent bodies and by influencing the agenda of the organized Jewish community, particularly through its involvement with the Jewish Agency for Israel.
About the World Zionist Organization
The World Zionist Organization was founded at the initiative of Theodore Herzl at the First Zionist Congress which took place in August 1897 in Basle, Switzerland.
When it was founded, the goals of the Zionist movement were stated in a resolution that came from that Congress and came to be known as the “Basle Program.”
Zionism aims at establishing for the Jewish people a legally assured home in Eretz Yisrael. To achieve this purpose, the following means shall be employed:
Promoting the settlement of Jewish farmers, artisans, and tradesmen in Palestine.
Organizing and uniting the whole of Jewry through effective local and international means in accordance with the laws of each country.
Strengthening of the Jewish national sentiment and national consciousness through Israel education with shlichim.
Preparatory steps toward obtaining the consent of governments, where necessary, in order to achieve the goals of Zionism.
The WZO consists of the following bodies: The World Zionist Unions, Territorial Zionist Federations; and International Organizations that define themselves as Zionist, such as WIZO, Hadassah, Bnai-Brith, Maccabi, the World Sephardi Federation, the three major streams of world Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform), a delegation from the CIS – Commonwealth of Independent States (former Soviet Union), the World Union of Jewish Students (WUJS), and more.
Photo credit Shlomi Amsalem.
President Isaac Herzog with(to his right) Yaakov Hagoel Chairman World Zionist Organization and Mark Wilf Chairman Board of Governors Jewish Agency for Israel along with members of the World Zionist Organization Executive at the Jewish People Challenges Conference held in Jerusalem
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- Written by Silvia G. Golan
Cybertech Latin America is scheduled to take place in Panama on March 13th and 14th, 2024
This major global event will showcase cutting-edge cyber technologies and reveal the newest advancements in the field
Panama views the Israeli market as a key arena for fostering collaborations and investments in technology, economics, and exports, pivotal for enhancing the country’s standing in international markets
A significant advancement in the commercial and economic partnership between Israel and Panama is the upcoming Cybertech Latin America event set to take place on March 13 and 14, 2024, in Panama City.
This event serves as a valuable opportunity to bolster and cultivate trade and economic relations between the two nations. Panama is keen on establishing itself as a sustainable investment hub and is actively pursuing greater collaboration with Israel in technological and economic spheres.
Established in 2017, Cybertech Latin America serves as a pivotal platform bridging the worlds of cybersecurity, innovation, and business throughout the Latin American region. With the esteemed partnership of the Israeli Embassy in Panama, the event boasts attendance from global corporations, dynamic startups, as well as key figures from industry and government sectors. This conference offers a distinctive amalgamation of technology, industry insights, governmental perspectives, and academic expertise. By hosting this international conference, Panama reaffirms its strategic position as a significant player in the cyber landscape. Moreover, key players, in collaboration with the Panama Chamber of Telecommunications and Innovation, are actively engaged in propelling Panama towards becoming a prominent global hub for digital transformation, thereby shaping the future trajectory of technology.
The country’s objective with the conference is to foster economic partnerships with the State of Israel and to showcase Panama's extensive offerings to the Israeli market. This includes fostering collaborations with Israeli companies in sectors such as food technology, high-tech, trade, and pharmaceuticals. Panama is particularly keen on strengthening ties with Israel, renowned globally for its expertise in cybersecurity, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, agriculture, innovation, water management, renewable energy, and more. Enhancing cooperation between the two nations will mutually benefit their economies and elevate Panama's standing as an innovation leader and significant player in the global marketplace.
Global corporations, particularly those in the digital realm, are driven to invest in Panama due to a blend of factors: Panama's strategic geographical location and well-developed digital infrastructure; a business-friendly regulatory landscape; a skilled workforce; supportive governmental initiatives and incentives; Panama's status as a financial hub; access to regional markets facilitated by free trade agreements; all complemented by Panama's reputation for providing a high standard of living.
It is important to highlight that a free trade agreement between Israel and Panama was formalized in January 2020. This agreement facilitates preferential access for both parties in exporting products to each other's markets, fostering a conducive environment for trade and investment. This collaboration aims to bolster development and foster economic cooperation between the two nations.
Amir Rapaport, the visionary behind "Cybertech," emphasizes: "This conference plays a pivotal role in bolstering the economic, technological, and commercial connections between Panama and Israel.
Photo credit: PROPANAMA
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FM Katz remarks on the ICJ hearing ( International Court of Justice in The Hague)
FM Katz: There is no basis for South Africa's claims against Israel. On the contrary, no evidence was presented, only evidence of a moral defensive war.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz at the end of the hearing at the International Court of Justice in The Hague: "The Israeli delegation revealed the true face of South Africa as a loyal representative of a terrorist organization that inhumanely slaughtered babies, children, women, and adults.
"When it concerns Israel, it seems that the double standards of some of the countries of the world scream to the heavens.
“There is no basis for South Africa's claims against Israel. On the contrary, no evidence was presented, only evidence of a moral defensive war.
“South Africa itself violates the Genocide Convention by supporting the terrorist organization Hamas, which calls for the elimination of the State of Israel.
“I called the legal advisor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to thank him and the members of the Israeli legal team for their impressive appearance that undermined all the hypocritical arguments of South Africa and revealed its true face as a loyal representative of a terrorist organization that inhumanely slaughtered babies, children, women, and adults.
“I hope the complaint will be dismissed outright and justice will prevail.”
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- Written by Silvia G. Golan
FLEUR HASSAN-NAHOUM APPOINTED SECRETARY GENERAL OF KOL ISRAEL . JERUSALEM’S DEPUTY MAYOR WILL BE FIRST WOMAN IN THE POST
JERUSALEM, FEBRUARY 25 – Fleur Hassan-Nahoum has been named Secretary General of the World Confederation of United Zionists, the first woman appointed to the position. Hassan-Nahoum is Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem and serves as Special Envoy for Innovation for the Foreign Ministry. She is co-founder of the UAE-Israel Business Council. She follows veteran Jewish educator and organizer Aaron Weil in the position.
Kol Israel, a partnership of the World Confederation of United Zionists and Tnuat HaMercaz Haliberalit HaNoar HaTzioni, is the ideological successor to the General Zionist Party. Uniquely independent of political parties and religious denominations, Kol Israel engages with the majority of world Jewry looking to connect with Israel without labels or limitations. With an eye to the future, they invest in Zionist youth movements and restoring innovation to the heart of the Zionist movement.
“Fleur brings a lifelong career as an advocate for and promoter of Israel-diaspora relations and is a welcome and strong voice of unity at this critical time,” said Kol Israel Chairman David Yaari. “With deep leadership experience and a strong network of Jewish, Zionist, and institutional relationships, Fleur will play a crucial role in expanding our partnerships with Jewish communities around the world.”
"Fleur is a Jewish leader who brings not only political experience but also an understanding of the needs of global Jews in relation to Israel. Her effective communication in English, Hebrew, and Spanish is a welcome addition to our joint faction," said Sergio Edelstein, member of the Zionist Executive, who represents the faction and heads the Youth and Future Generations Department within the World Zionist Organization.
The announcement comes on the same day that Ms. Hassan-Nahoum was appointed to the Board of the Jewish Agency, having been a leading candidate for Chairwoman in the 2021 selection process. She was warmly congratulated in a small gathering of Zionist leaders in the historic Weizmann hall of the World Zionist Organization Headquarters in Jerusalem today.
Yaakov Hagoel, World Zionist Organization Chairman, joined Kol Israel faction leaders and supporters in congratulating the World Confederation of United Zionists and Ms. Hassan-Nahoum.
"We are thrilled to welcome Fleur into this new position. Her passion for the people and State of Israel combined with her commitment to public service are important and refreshing additions to the WZO leadership," he said. “We need to work together to make sure that the crisis that Israel faces today we turn into an opportunity, for renewed vision and commitment.”
Ifat Ovadia-Luski, Chairwoman of KKL-JNF, spoke at the ceremonial event, telling Fleur that “The World Confederation of United Zionists chose you, but they are also lucky to merit having you as their Secretary General.”
Gil Troy, academic historian and author of The Zionist Ideas: Visions for the Jewish Homeland — Then, Now, Tomorrow, described the current moment as “our chance to remember what unites us - to understand that we have unity, even if we don’t have uniformity.” Troy concluded his keynote by addressing Fleur, saying, “I want to say mazel tov, but also mazel tov to us. We have a visionary who understands that we are so much more united, so much more powerful than they [Israel’s detractors] think we are.”
"I am honored to take part in the leadership of the Kol Israel faction, the flagbearer of modern, innovative Zionism," said Hassan-Nahoum. "I have watched from the sidelines as national institutions - once the leaders of the Jewish world - have fallen into politicization and stagnation. We will emerge from Oct. 7th and this war changed - individually and as a people. It is time to invigorate the system with new blood, to make the unity of the Jewish people a priority, and to write the next chapter of our movement that will move Zionism forward for the next generation.”
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About Kol Israel
Kol Israel represents Global Jewish communities in the World Zionist Congress through the World Confederation of United Zionists and Tnuat HaMerkaz Haliberalit Hanoar Hatzioni. It enjoys strong strategic partnerships with various Zionist youth movements, including Young Judaea, Hejalutz Lamerjav, the Federation of Zionist Youth (FZY), and Tzofim Tzabar Olami, as well as other unaffiliated groups throughout the former Soviet Union and Latin America.
Photos credit Silvia G Golan
L-R: Prof. Gil Troy, Lisa Barkan, Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Ifat Ovadia-Luski, Chairwoman of KKL, David Yaari, Kol Israel Chairman, Vivian Grossman, Rabbi Leor Sinai, Head of JAFI's subcommittee on the Absorption of Youth Aliyah, Olga Israel Deutsch, Chair of the Zionist Executive's Federations Committee, Max Meyer, Kol Israel delegate to the World Zionist Congress and head of the Danish Zionist Federation
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- Written by SWC Simon Wiesenthal Center
Simon Wiesenthal Center statement in response to South Africa’s accusation presented at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide:
It is no surprise that Hamas supporter, South Africa has turned to the InternationalInternational_Court_of_Justice_Seal Court of Justice to demonize and delegitimize Israel. This court has a panel of judges from countries like Russia, China, Lebanon, and Somalia that themselves should be on the docket for their violation of fundamental human rights and in some cases are guilty of crimes against humanity.
It is unclear if the Jewish state has any chance of winning its case on the justice of its actions or will yet again be the victim in a kangaroo court.
Still, Israel will do its best to refocus an uncaring world on who the true victims are and who is responsible for loss of life and property in Gaza. It will document Hamas’ litany of crimes against humanity, its barbaric killings, beheadings, dismemberment, rape and other crimes targeting Israeli civilians in the sovereign territory of the Jewish state.
It is not Israel that should be on the docket, but Hamas leaders who have lived in the lap of luxury in Qatar who should be on trial; it is their sponsors and trainers in Tehran who should be called before the ICJ, not the Jewish state which stands firmly on legal and more importantly, ethical and moral ground by defending its people.
The Nazi Holocaust destroyed entire European Jewish communities, with six million Jews, including 1.5 million children mass murdered by Nazi Germany and its willing collaborators.
It was only after January 27, 1945, the day Auschwitz was liberated by the Soviet soldiers, that the world would begin to understand the scope of the barbarities inflicted on Europe’s Jews, of a crime of such epic scope, that a new term had to be invented to describe the Holocaust: Genocide.
The United Nations, born out of the ashes of World War II and the Holocaust passed the UN Genocide Convention, which made genocide a crime under international law as well as incitement to genocide as a criminal act.
This is a dark day for international law, it is a dark day for justice as we see, yet again, players like South Africa, like Russia, like China, utilizing international modalities to deflect attention from themselves and to continue to pound America’s lone reliable ally in the region and lone true democracy in the Middle East: the State of Israel.
Simon Wiesenthal Center is a Nonprofit organization .Global human rights organization confronting anti-Semitism, standing with Israel & defending Jews worldwide.
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