B'nai B'rith International Plays Key Role In Burgeoning Ties Between Israel, Greece And Cyprus

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Israel lives in a tough neighborhood. As the only Jewish state and the only democracy in Middle East, friendly faces around the block can be hard to come by. As a staunch supporter and advocate for Israel, B'nai B'rith International recently played a prominent role in promoting ties between the State of Israel, Greece and Cyprus. 

In January, B'nai B'rith and Conference of Presidents leaders, together with leaders of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) and American Hellenic Institute (AHI), went on an important visit to Israel, Greece and Cyprus. The purpose of the trip was to evaluate the critical and developing relationship between these three countries on security, energy, economics and political areas.

Shortly after the delegation departed, top officials of all three states met in Cyprus to discuss many of the same topics brought to their attention earlier by B'nai B'rith International leaders. 

Scroll down to immerse yourself in this important new relationship through expert analysis from our World Center – Jerusalem Director Alan Schneider, official recaps, news coverage, information on the ensuing summit, photos and more. 

​After viewing, please consider a donation to B'nai B'rith International on this Israel Independence Day, so that our organization can continue to bolster ties between Israel and its neighbors. 

Expert Analysis on the Tri-State Visit

B'nai B'rith International World Center – Jerusalem Director Alan Schneider provides an excellent summary of the diplomatic events that have Israel, Greece and Cyprus forming a strong regional partnership.

​Schneider also recaps the recent "Strategic Challenges In The Eastern Mediterranean" conference with high-level government officials from all three countries speaking and participating in discussion on the region.

Click here to read the blog

Click here to read the official B'nai B'rith recap

Coverage

Coverage: JBS News Update – 1/8/16

JBS News Update covered B'nai B'rith International’s visit to Israel, Greece and Cyprus, where members of the Jewish and American-Hellenic communities are participating in a number of meetings to evaluate the critical and developing relationship between these three countries on security, energy, economics and political areas.

Click above to watch, starting at the 4:11 mark.

​The Jerusalem Post: US Jewish, Greek Groups Explore Israel- Greece-Cyprus Ties

The Jerusalem Post ran a story on the B'nai B'rith International, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Order of AHEPA and American Hellenic Institute's important important visit to Israel, Greece and Cyprus.

The article quotes a B'nai B'rith statement on plans for the trip, and describes the changing relationship between the three countries with a summit between the heads of state to take place at the end of the month

Photos

After The Visit, The Countries' Leaders Meet In A Historic Trilateral Summit

Following the delegation's visit to Israel, Cyprus and Greece, a trilateral summit kicked off in Cyprus as leaders of the Jewish state met with their Greek and Cypriot counter parts to discuss strengthening ties in the security, energy, economic and political arenas.

This is a prime example of one of the many ways B'nai B'rith International ​​utilizes its diplomatic connections and experience to advocate for Israel, both regionally and worldwide.  

Christian Science Monitor: ​

Facing threats and opportunity, Israel forges Mediterranean alliance

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Continuing the Discussion

In February, B'nai B'rith International and the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies furthered the conversation on the Israel-Greece-Cyprus relationship at a jointly convened, major international conference focusing on “Strategic Challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean” at Bar-Ilan University in Israel.

Among the key participants was the Greek minister of defense, former Greek minister of internal security, former Italian foreign minister, EU and NATO representatives and top officials and experts from France, England, Turkey and the United States. Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Gilad, director of Policy and Political-Military Affairs at the Israel Ministry of Defense, will address the conference closing. Click here to view the full list of speakers.

B'nai B'rith International President Gary P. Saltzman and Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin both chaired sessions and were able to share their insights on the region after visiting three Eastern Mediterranean​ countries.

Jerusalem Post Coverage: A New Geopolitical Bloc Is Born–Israel, Greece And Cyprus 

The Jerusalem Post reported on the B’nai B’rith International, Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies conference. At the event at Bar-llan University in Israel, leaders from both groups addressed strategic challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Click here to read the story

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