AJC Dispatch

AJC Virtual Global Forum 2020

For the first time in AJC history, we will be holding a Virtual Global Forum, which will kick off this Sunday and continue through Thursday, June 14-18! The five-day online event will feature appearances by world leaders and spirited debates on some of the most important issues facing America, Israel, the Jewish people, and the world. Confirmed speakers include German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Israeli Alternate Prime Minister Benjamin (Benny) Gantz, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates Anwar Gargash, Secretary General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of The Centre for Responsible Leadership Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, and more will be announced in the coming days! See the full schedule and register for free at the AJC Virtual Global Forum 2020 website.

On Air

Virtual Global Forum Preview with AJC CEO David Harris, Conversation with Jeffrey Goldberg
People of the Pod / 42-minute listen
Ahead of next week’s AJC Virtual Global Forum 2020, we’re joined by AJC CEO David Harris for a preview of this historic event, which marks the first time the premier global Jewish advocacy event will take place online. Then, we hear from Jeffery Goldberg, acclaimed journalist, Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic, and friend of AJC, on the role of the media in the current pandemic and the vital importance of a free press in democratic societies. Listen now

Must-reads

Guarantor of Germany-Israel Alliance: Chancellor Angela Merkel
AJC Global Voice / 3-minute read
Since becoming chancellor in 2005, Angela Merkel has made Germany’s relationship with Israel a pillar of her foreign policy – calling the preservation of Israel’s security part of “Germany’s Staatsräson,” or core national interest. On Sunday, June 14, Chancellor Merkel will address the opening plenary of AJC’s first-ever Virtual Global Forum, at the same time she had been meant to host the historic gathering in Berlin (click here to register for the opening plenary). Under her leadership, Germany has forged cooperation between the two countries’ governments, continued collaboration between the militaries, outlawed movements that seek to destroy Israel, and remained Israel’s largest trading partner in Europe. Chancellor Merkel also has overseen heightened security measures to protect Germany’s Jewish communities. Read more

Four Things Jews Should Know About Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
AJC Global Voice / 3-minute read
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece, first stepped onto the AJC Global Forum stage in 2018. At that time, in Jerusalem, he pledged to strengthen Greece’s relations with Israel and combat antisemitism. After being elected as prime minister in 2019, he delivered on that promise. On Tuesday, June 16, Prime Minister Mitsotakis will make a return appearance at AJC Virtual Global Forum 2020 to discuss the importance of expanding the democratic alliance in the Eastern Mediterranean among Greece, Cyprus, the United States, and Israel (click here to register for a conversation with Prime Minister Mitsotakis). Here are four things Jews should know about Greece’s leader ahead of his upcoming appearance. Read more

Meet the Senior Islamic Leader Making Historic Progress on Muslim-Jewish Relations
AJC Global Voice / 2-minute read
Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League (MWL) and Chairman of The Centre for Responsible Leadership Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, is the most senior Islamic leader to visit the Nazi death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The historic visit was part of a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Dr. Al-Issa and AJC CEO David Harris to further Muslim-Jewish understanding and cooperation against racism and extremism in all its forms. On Sunday, June 14, during the opening plenary of AJC Global Forum 2020, Dr. Al-Issa will share what his historic visit to Auschwitz meant to him and discuss the future of Muslim-Jewish relations. Click here to register for Dr. Al-Issa's keynote address. Read more

Good to Know

Georgia Should Pass Hate Crimes Statute
Atlanta Journal Constitution / 3-minute read
Without any mechanism to officially record hate crimes in Georgia, it is unclear how many incidents have targeted African Americans or how many suspects got away with it before Ahmaud Arbery was murdered in broad daylight. Law enforcement took two months to arrest the white men now charged with murder and aggravated assault. AJC Atlanta Director Dov Wilker writes that the brutal killing of Arbery underscores the need for immediate passage of Georgia’s proposed hate crime law, HB426. It also highlights the urgency of the National Opposition to Hate, Assaults, and Threats to Equality (NO HATE) Act. Join AJC and urge Congress to address rising hate and xenophobia. Read more

Tidings

Welcome to the Hotel Corona (NPR)
Ice Cube in Hot Water (The Forward)

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