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During the opening high-level segment of the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, a B’nai B’rith International delegation has been on the ground meeting with numerous visiting presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers and other senior officials. The delegation is led by International President Allan J. Jacobs, Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin and Chairman of the Executive Committee Gary P. Saltzman, accompanied by B’nai B’rith leaders, professionals and partners from around the country.
 
The B’nai B’rith representatives have appealed for unabated—indeed, intensified—international vigilance surrounding Iranian nuclear activity and support for terrorism around the Middle East and beyond. Government officials have also been urged by B’nai B’rith to reject Palestinian efforts to export tensions with Israel to, and achieve unearned political objectives at, the United Nations rather than engaging in necessary direct negotiations, compromise and agreement with the Jewish state. 

RELATED: B’nai B’rith Denounces Abbas’ Disavowal Of Peace Agreements With Israel; Contradictions Abound In Appearance At U.N. General Assembly

“B’nai B’rith has been present at the United Nations since its inception and our current activity at the General Assembly signals unwavering commitment to engaging with the world body, holding it to its founding principles and speaking truth to power,” Jacobs said.
 
On Sept. 30 Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas disavowed signed peace agreements with Israel in his speech to the General Assembly. The same day, in an unprecedented step, the Palestinian flag was raised at the United Nations in the absence of a Palestinian state recognizing the Jewish state’s right to exist in peace.
 
“Our delegation’s response to Mahmoud Abbas’ latest, open departure from peacemaking has been unambiguous,” Mariaschin said. “Sadly, although Abbas has clearly demonstrated Palestinian responsibility for the discontinuance of dialogue and progress toward coexistence with Israel, the United Nations continues to afford him incomparable, undeserved advantages, and thus every incentive to choose provocation over moderation and responsible leadership. It is in light of this that our global advocacy at the highest level is so urgent.”
 
B’nai B’rith—which coordinated diplomatic meetings on behalf of leading international and American Jewish organizations—has already met with top decision-makers from countries including Austria, Chile, Ethiopia, Germany, Greece, the Holy See, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Ukraine and Uruguay, among others.