WJC Regional Reports 2011 - World Jewish Congress

March-April
Hermesh and Diker met with Josh Reinstein from the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus to discuss
and plan for the advancement of the relationship between Israel and the evangelical Christian
communities around the world.
Diker also held meetings with Itzik Shmueli, Chairman of the Federation of Students in Israel and
Helena Glazer, President of WIZO and member of the WJC Executive.
Diker had several media appearances, including IBA News, Close Up, Turkish television and the
publication of an article in the Jerusalem Post relating to the assault on Israel’s legitimacy.
Hermesh participated in a delegation of WJC leadership to South America and met with Colombian
President Santos and other leaders in the region as well as more than 50 leaders of the Jewish
community in the region from 13 South American countries. Among the topics discussed was the
growing support of Latin American countries in the recognition of a Palestinian state and the
unilateral move to achieve such recognition in the UN in September, the Arab revolutions and the
growing threat of a nuclear Iran.
May-June
Hermesh and Diker convened a WJC-Israel Executive Board meeting and hosted a special diner
with Ambassador Alan Baker who spoke about the legal and policy implications of UDI.
WJC Israel convened a meeting of the Executive Committee.
The Assault on Israel’s Legitimacy
Dan Diker spoke at a conference at the Italian Chamber of Deputies organized by the foreign
affairs think-tank SUMMIT by Italian Member of Parliament Fiamma Nirenstein, co-sponsored by
the WJC and attended by senior Italian government officials and parliamentarians. Diker urged
European countries to oppose the planned endorsement by the UN of a unilaterally declared
Palestinian state.
Diker met with WJC Senior Consultant on Middle East Affairs, Pinhas Inbari, and Yosef
Kuperwasser, Director General of Israel's Ministry of Strategic Affairs, to discuss the upcoming
unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood at the UN. Diker and Amb. Alan Baker, one of the
legal architects of the Oslo Accords, held a briefing and a discussion on the legal aspect of the
Palestinian unilateral bid for statehood at the United Nations (UDI) with the members of the
National Union party at the Knesset. Diker was also interviewed by the International Christian
Embassy in Jerusalem on UDI and featured on its radio broadcast.
Jewish Refugees from Arab Countries
Diker, Grundwerg and Edna Weinstock-Gabay met with Stanley Urman, Executive Director of
Justice for Jews from Arab Countries, and Rabbi Eli Abadi to discuss the issue of Jewish refugees
from Arab lands.
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