AJC Dispatch

Advocacy Anywhere

Advocacy Anywhere, Powered by AJC, is our online platform bringing you top-quality content during the pandemic. Tune in Tuesday, June 23, for a conversation about leading in a time of crisis with former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. On Wednesday, June 24, hear from U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and U.S. Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware about the bipartisan effort they are leading to promote U.S.-Israel collaboration in the fight against COVID-19. And on the occasion of the United Nations’ 75th anniversary, join us Friday for a conversation about whether and how the world body can remain a key venue for enhanced U.S. foreign affairs leadership. View the Advocacy Anywhere page for information on past and future programs.

On Air

Highlights from the First-Ever AJC Virtual Global Forum
People of the Pod / 51-minute listen
This week, AJC held its first-ever Virtual Global Forum, taking the premier annual global Jewish advocacy gathering online. Here we showcase some of the most memorable moments from the star-studded, five-day event. First, we hear an excerpt from a historic public dialogue with United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Anwar Gargash about how his country can work with Israel despite political differences. Then, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker discusses racial injustice in America and the importance of Black-Jewish cooperation in tackling that national challenge. Finally, AJC Managing Director of Global Communications Avi Mayer moderates a fiery debate on the future of the West Bank between Member of Knesset Merav Michaeli of Israel’s Labor Party and veteran Israeli diplomat Dr. Dore Gold, President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Listen now

Must-reads

Five Powerful Moments from AJC Virtual Global Forum 2020
AJC Global Voice / 2-minute read
The decision to host AJC Global Forum 2020 in Berlin was historic. But when the global COVID-19 pandemic forced the event’s cancellation, that didn’t stop AJC from making history by hosting its first-ever Virtual Global Forum this week. Revisit five defining moments that demonstrate AJC’s critical efforts to strengthen interfaith ties, bolster Black-Jewish relations, promote Israel’s place in the world, combat antisemitism, and protect the rights of all people. Read more

AJC CEO David Harris: ‘We want to be part of the solution’
AJC Global Voice / 2-minute read
During his closing remarks at the end of the first-ever AJC Virtual Global Forum, AJC CEO David Harris cautioned participants that democracy is a fragile work in progress. “Democracy is not as solid and stable as people might think,” he said. “It needs to be vigorously defended each and every day.” AJC is the most sophisticated vehicle to confront the challenges, he said. As the U.S. reckons with its long legacy of racial injustice, Harris also announced that AJC will step up its efforts to combat racism by opening offices in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, in memory of George Floyd and Louisville, Kentucky, in memory of Breonna Taylor. Read more

Good to Know

Germany Came to AJC
AJC
Thousands of people planned to go to Germany this week for AJC Global Forum 2020. But when the COVID-19 pandemic upended those plans, Germany came to AJC instead. During an opening plenary, Chancellor Angela Merkel assured participants that Germany understands its responsibility to fight antisemitism in all its forms and stand up for Israel’s security. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas pledged that Germany will urge other European states to follow his country’s example and ban all Hezbollah activities within their borders. German Minister of Defense Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer shared news about a new Jewish military chaplaincy in the German Armed Forces. And Dr. Felix Klein, the German government’s commissioner for the fight against antisemitism, received the inaugural AJC Project Interchange Alumnus of the Year Award. Click here to see these and other videos from AJC Virtual Global Forum. And click here to read a new e-book by former AJC Berlin Director Deidre Berger about the remarkable story of AJC’s pioneering relations with Germany, with a foreword by AJC CEO David Harris.

Senior Official Says UAE Can Work With Israel, Despite Political Differences
The New York Times / 2-minute read
On Tuesday, in a historic public dialogue during AJC Virtual Global Forum, United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Anwar Gargash said his nation can and should cooperate with Israel, especially when it comes to developing new technology and conquering a global pandemic. “I think we can have a political disagreement with Israel and try to bridge other differences,” Dr. Gargash said during a conversation with AJC Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer Jason Isaacson. The talk builds on AJC’s two decades of diplomacy in the Gulf region and marks a significant step in strengthening the organization’s regional relationships. Read more

Challenges and Opportunities for the Jewish State
AJC / 18-minute video
In a one-on-one conversation with AJC Jerusalem Director Avital Leibovich, Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Israel Benjamin Gantz hailed the strong relationship between the U.S. and Israel “based on shared values, shared interests, and the fact that we are two democratic countries.” But he added that Israel cannot take bipartisan support from the U.S. for granted. Gantz said he would like Jews of the Diaspora to consider Israel their home and would like to see Israel treat the Diaspora as equals. He also praised AJC as an important strategic partner for Israel. “Its activities around the globe are very important,” Gantz said, referring to the organization. “It was important in the past, it’s important in the present, and it will continue to be important in the future, so never stop!” Watch now

Tidings

Project Interchange Wins Genesis Prize Grant (Jerusalem Post)

The articles featured here do not necessarily reflect AJC’s positions.

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