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AJC Leadership Delegation in High-Level Mission to Israel, Jordan
A 25-person AJC leadership delegation just concluded a four-day visit to Israel, where it met with senior political, diplomatic, and defense officials. Discussions focused on the U.S.-Israel relationship, the Iranian nuclear threat, and the prospects for Israeli-Palestinian and broader Israeli-Arab peace. The delegation met privately with, among others, Director of Defense Intelligence Gen. Amos Yadlin, Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom, opposition leader Tzipi Livni, Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, and Intelligence Minister Dan Meridor, who was serving as acting defense minister during Ehud Barak's visit to the United States.
An AJC delegation conducted talks in Amman with senior officials of the Jordanian government. A seven-member group discussed Jordan's role in Arab-Israeli peace, as well as other regional political and strategic issues, with Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, Planning and International Cooperation Minister Suhair Al-Ali, Media Affairs Minister of State Nabil El-Sharif and other officials, as well as with top U.S. and Israeli diplomats, journalists and policy analysts. The weekend visit was AJC's fifth round of consultations in an Arab capital this year.
Houston, Nat'l
Immigration Reform advocacy
The Chapter continues its advocacy efforts for comprehensive immigration reform. As one of the four AJC cities engaged in coordinating and bringing together all the parties (health, education, business, faith and ethnic communities) to seek common ground, Randy Czarlinsky and Barbara Shepard participated in an immigration seminar earlier this week in New York with Ford Foundation officials, who have provided a grant to AJC.
Locally, AJC board members engaged in immigration issues participated in the Greater Houston Partnership/AIR luncheon this week featuring FOXNEWS' Geraldo Rivera. Stan Marek of Marek Brothers, who has briefed AJC on the issue, provided AJC with tables for the event. Attendees included; Susan Altschuler, Mark Friedman, Carol Heard, Renee Karpas, Jack Lascar, Nat Levy, Iris Mushin, Richard Shaw, Mina Sklar and Helene Zadok. They were joined by Mexican diplomats Consul General Carlos Gonzalez Magellon and Consul Julian Escutia and Carlos Lopez, director of the Mexican Institute.
New AJC Film: NO is the Real Obstacle to Peace
AJC has released a hard-hitting 5 minute film dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Entitled "No: The Real Obstacle to Peace," the film asserts that the main hurdle to peace in the region is not settlements or land or borders, but rather the idea that Jews have "no right to a state in a territory where they have lived throughout history." In just over 24 hours, the film has had nearly 4,000 views on YouTube.
"NO: The Real Obstacle to Peace" is available in both English and SpanishSpanish versions on YouTube. AJC's YouTube channel can be accessed HERE.
AJC Urges Immediate and Unconditional Release of Gilad Shalit
"Our unceasing solidarity is with Gilad's family, who have borne the agony of not knowing the fate of their beloved son for three years," said AJC Executive Director David Harris, on the anniversary of the kidnapping of IDF Staff Sergeant Gilad Shalit by Hamas terrorists in Gaza. AJC, which has joined in efforts to increase awareness of Shalit's plight in the U.S. and other countries, urged his immediate and unconditional release.
AJC Lauds Peres Visit to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan
AJC welcomed Israeli President Shimon Peres's groundbreaking visit to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan this week. "The historic invitation extended to President Peres by these two predominately Muslim countries illustrates what is possible when both sides truly want to cooperate," said AJC. "Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan share Israel's desire for a peaceful future based upon mutual respect. We can only hope that more Muslim-majority countries will follow their example, recognizing that normal relations with Israel are in their own best interest." While in Kazakhstan, President Peres met with Rabbi Andrew Baker, AJC's Director of International Jewish Affairs, who delivered an address at the OSCE Summit on Tolerance.
Polish Minister Praises AJC Role
Jacek Najder, Under-Secretary of State at the Polish Foreign Ministry, expressed special thanks to AJC as a "leading force in fostering Polish-Jewish relations for almost three decades." Najder sent a message to an event sponsored by the Polish Consulate in New York celebrating the National Polish American - Jewish American Council, which AJC created with Polish partners three decades ago. Najder expressed his personal gratitude to AJC staff members for their key role in building Jewish ties with Poland.
AJC Radio Message: Celebrating Freedom on July Fourth
In his national radio commentary marking the Fourth of July holiday, David Harris says: "Freedom is a priceless gift. We owe those who've defended it more than we can ever express. From the beginning, America has served as a beacon of hope for the oppressed. Just ask those who fled political and religious tyranny what America means to them." LISTEN
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