|
AJC Houston to host
Iranian journalist, political activitist Sazegara
AJC Houston will host Mohsen Sazegara on Thursday,November 19 for an evening private parlor discussion on "Inside Iran". It will be an opportunity
to also learn about AJC's advocacy efforts locally and globally for Iranian sanctions. Sazegara, who is a journalist and political activist, is the founder of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
AJC will partner with World Affairs Council Houston for a luncheon forum on Thursday, Nov. 19 at the Westin Oaks featuring Sazegara.
|
Coming up
Monday, Oct. 19
AJC delegation discussion with Egyptian Consul General
AJC Houston hosts Central and Eastern European Emerging Political Leaders Nov. 13-15
Congressman
Al Green
and
AJC
present America's Table
Friday, Nov. 20
AJC Consular Corps Chanukah Party
Thurs., Dec. 3
at 7 pm
AJC's Max Nathan Award Dinner
honoring
Joe Williams
Thurs., Dec. 10
at the Omni Houston Hotel
Board Meetings
Jan. 21 at 11:45 am; March 18 at 8:15 am and
Apr 22 at 11:45 am.
AJC NATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING
APRIL 28-30
GRAND HYATT
WASHINGTON, DC
Chapter Annual meeting Mon., May 17
Executive Committee
Nov. 5; Jan. 7 and
March 4
|
|
Executive Director's Radio Message: Sign AJC's Energy Pledge!
"Each day our country doesn't get serious, really serious, about energy policy is another day lost - and another day of risk for our national security and economy," says AJC Executive Director David Harris in his weekly radio message. LISTEN.
SIGN AJC's Energy Pledge
|
|
|
|
Luft, Korin advocate "fuel choice" as real option
Discussing energy alternatives and the ability to reduce the strategic oil influence the co-directors of the Washington based Institute for Global Security Analysis, Gal Luft and Anne Korin, stated to the AJC Houston board today that fuel choice in the transportation industry is the only way to reduce dependence on our oil addiction.
Prospect of Sanctions against Iran Must Be Pressed
AJC is disappointed with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's declaration that further UN Security Council sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program would be "counterproductive." AJC said: "Under any circumstances, it will be hard to make Iran's leaders engage meaningfully. They absolutely will not do so if they perceive divisions between the United States and its Security Council partners." READ Earlier, AJC praised the British government for its order to the financial sector to "cease all business" with two Iranian commercial entities found to have played critical roles in Tehran's efforts to gain military nuclear capability and advance its ballistic missile program. READ "If we are to prevent the worst outcome of this crisis - namely, an Iranian regime armed with nuclear weapons - Tehran has to take seriously the prospect of tough, resolute sanctions," AJC said. Watch AJC's latest film on Iran and visit our Iran resources page - click HERE
Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Meridor Briefs AJC Leadership
Dan Meridor, Israel's Deputy Prime Minister, briefed more than 50 AJC leaders and supporters at a special private breakfast at AJC headquarters. Meridor discussed the Iranian nuclear threat, prospects for advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace, the Goldstone Commission report on Gaza, and U.S.-Israel relations.
AJC Condenms UNHRC support for Goldstone report
American Jewish Committee roundly condemned the United Nations Human Rights Council for endorsing the Goldstone Commission's report into the Gaza conflict. The report, which falsely accused Israel of waging war against the civilian population in Gaza while largely ignoring Hamas terrorism, will now be referred to the UN Security Council.
"The Human Rights Council has again revealed its true nature: a kangaroo court which couches its aggressive campaign against one state, Israel, in the language of human rights," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "This reprehensible decision will damage the peace process, legitimize Hamas terrorism and further entrench the UN's reputation as a global center for lies and distortions about Israel."
Twenty five countries voted to endorse the report, among them several states with troublesome human rights records, such as Cuba, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. AJC praised the six countries - the United States, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Slovakia and Ukraine - who voted against. "These countries may not have been able to swing the vote, but they are critically important voices of decency and fairness in an institution corrupted by bias and hatred," Harris said.
AJC noted that a further sixteen countries either abstained or did not vote. "The sponsors of this resolution were barely able to muster a majority. That plain fact suggests that the political campaign against Israel's legitimacy in the UN will not go unopposed" Harris said.
France and the UK did not vote. Eleven states; Belgium, Bosnia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gabon, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Korea, Slovenia and Uruguay abstained.
David Harris on HuffPo: "Dear President Lula, Again"
"You are a widely admired political leader. Why would you wish to confer your considerable prestige on Iran's President Ahmadinejad, who craves it but surely does not deserve it?" Read David Harris's open letter to Brazil's President Lula on the Huffington Post
AJC Congratulates Armenia, Turkey on Historic Accord to End Hostility
AJC welcomed the historic accord between Turkey and Armenia that aims to end a century of hostility and mistrust between the two nations. "This accord, subject to parliamentary approval in Ankara and Yerevan, ushers in a new era in relations between Turkey and Armenia, two countries with which we have had longstanding ties," said AJC. "There is a painful history here, but Turkey and Armenia have wisely decided that the dividing issues of both past and present must be addressed through dialogue. In signing this accord, they have reminded us that no conflict, however intractable, need be eternal."
AJC Advocates on Immigration Reform
AJC submitted testimony to the congressional hearing on Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Faith-Based Perspectives. "We call for immigration reform because each day in our congregations, service programs, health-care facilities, and schools we witness the human consequences of a broken and outdated system," said Richard Foltin, AJC's Director of National and Legislative Affairs. Foltin presented AJC's recommendations for reform to the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security. READ TESTIMONY
|
|
Behind the Scenes
AJC is actively engaged in the domestic and international scene as a GLOBAL JEWISH ADVOCACY organization.
Congressman Al Green in association with AJC Houston, will present America's Table, a Thanksgiving Reader, on Friday, November 20. The Congressman initiated the program with AJC Houston four years ago and continues his leading role. America's Table features a keynote by the Congressman and immigrant stories of coming to America.
Mexico's Consul General His Excellency Carlos Gonzalez Magallon met with an AJC delegation this week, led by team leader Mark Friedman, Nat Levy, Matt Krohn, Mina Sklar, Barb Shepard, and Randy Czarlinsky met to discuss immigration reform, Iranian sanctions and the Goldstone Report.
Mexico is a member of the UN Security Council.
AJC Houston's Egyptian team delegation prepared for its meeting with the Egyptian Consul General. Team leader Bobby Lapin and members Noel Graubart, Iris Mushin and Helene Zadok meet next Monday.
Israel Shaping the Future committee members met this week and continue discussions on the May 17 evening that will include Dr. Isaac Berzin, whom TIME magazine cited last year as one of the most influential 100 people in the world, will participate. Committee members include: Jack Lascar, chair; Max Blankfeld, Amy Goldstein, Melanie Lowther, Iris Mushin, David Ronn and Rob Zurawin.
Best regards,
|
|
|
|
