WJC Regional Reports 2011 - World Jewish Congress

Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, Kenya, Namibia, and
countries where Israel has “Mashav “ or domestic aid programs that may help foster support.
We continued to meet with members of Congress on the issue of foreign aid to Israel as well as the
above-mentioned Iran sanctions, both in New York and in Washington. WJC-US continues
regularly to meet with Israeli officials in the United States including visiting Israeli Ministers,
members of Knesset, and members of the Israeli diplomatic corps all over the United States with
whom we work closely on all WJC priority issues.
WJC-US rejoiced with Israel at the homecoming of Gilad Shalit and remains active on the issue of
the Israeli soldiers missing in action (MIAs). We continue to work with elected officials,
representatives of foreign governments, and international organizations for the release of the other
Israeli MIAs, namely Ron Arad, Guy Chever, Yehuda Katz, Tzvi Feldman, and Zachary Baumel, this
last who is both a citizen of Israel and the United Sates. We continue to be in contact with the
families of these MIAs in order to advocate on their behalf and reassure them that they are not
forgotten.
Justice for Jews in Arab Countries – WJC-US, NA will utilize its constituents in both the US and
Canada to further this cause, particularly on the legislative level, to raise awareness amongst
elected officials as well as among the public and in the Jewish community of the many important
aspects and ramifications of the issues of Jewish refugees from Arab lands. Plans are being made
at press time to heighten the profile in Congress, in the media, and amongst our constituent
organizations.
Work continued in cooperation with the WJC Jerusalem office and with Justice for Jews in Arab
Countries to try to come to a common working plan across the globe. At press time, plans include
hearings in various capitals and increased media coverage to educate the public. The focus will be
on the thea great number of Jewish refugees who lost property and citizenship as they were forced
to flee persecution from many Arab countries.
The WJC-US was pleased to provide to leaders of American Jewish organizations and elected
officials the new WJC book “Israel’s Rights as a Nation-State in International Diplomacy” that was
co-produced by the WJC headquarters in Jerusalem and the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs and
is happy to report the very favorable reaction we have received as well as requests for multiple
copies. Organizations in the US such as the American Zionist Movement and Mercaz have utilized
the book in Israel advocacy seminars.
The WJC-US participated in cooperation with the Conference of Presidents and consultations for
Jewish organization leadership as to further steps to advocate for Israel. Rabbi Joel Meyer, Interim
Chair of WJC-US, chairs the CoP Task Force on this issue. WJC-US and North America
representatives attended a Chanukah party held at the Neue Galerie hosted by WJC President
Ronald S. Lauder together with Israeli UN Ambassador Ron Prosor. Over 200 United Nations
officials, and Jewish and political leaders were in attendance.
WJC NORTH AMERICA REPORT: PAGE 4 OF 12