From Left to Right: B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin, Peruvian Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde, Dani Schydlowsky, former president of B’nai B’rith Peru, Benami Grobman, president of B’nai B’rith Peru, Director of Latin American Affairs Eduardo Kohn.

A B’nai B’rith International delegation met with Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde on March 21 in Lima.

The delegation, led by B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin, commended Peru for suspending diplomatic relations with Libya after Moammar Gaddafi began attacking his own people as they protested his rule. The B’nai B’rith leaders also expressed disappointment and concern that Peru recognized a Palestinian state, absent a negotiated peace treaty with Israel. Nine of 10 South American countries have recognized a Palestinian state in the last few months. The group stressed that only direct bilateral talks will lead to a safe, secure and enforceable two-state solution.

“We had a productive exchange with the foreign minister,” Mariaschin said. “Peru and Israel historically have close ties and we want to encourage that.”

Benami Grobman, president of B’nai B’rith Peru, Dani Schydlowsky, former president and director of Latin American Affairs Eduardo Kohn also took part in the high-level meeting.

The group also met with Israeli Ambassador to Peru Yoav Baron and local Jewish community leaders, and discussed Peruvian-Israeli bilateral relations and the spread of Iranian influence in the hemisphere.