Press Releases
(Jerusalem, Nov. 21, 2019)—B’nai B’rith International and Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) hosted in the Jewish state a group of eight foreign ambassadors and representatives serving their countries at the U.N. Human Rights Council and other U.N. bodies in Geneva.
Israeli Ambassador in Geneva Aviva Raz Shechter; Alan Schneider, director of the B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem; and B’nai B’rith International Director of U.N. and Intercommunal Affairs David Michaels devised the intensive program and accompanied the diplomats, who represented the Czech Republic, Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Slovakia, Togo, Burkina Faso and Cameroon, for the week-long visit.
The week began with a gala dinner attended by B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem Chairman Haim Katz, U.N. Affairs Chair Millie Magid and her husband, Larry Magid, and ambassadors posted in Israel. The program included meetings with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, MFA Deputy Director General Alon Bar, former Vice President of the Supreme Court Elyakim Rubinstein, Head of the Israel Innovation Authority Ami Appelbaum, Knesset members Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh and Avi Hauser and Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs President Ambassador Dore Gold, among others, including victims of terror attacks and providers of humanitarian services. They visited the Kerem Shalom border crossing into Gaza and Gaza-border communities, Israel’s borders with Syria and Lebanon, Jerusalem’s Old City, Yad Vashem, the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation and the Druze village of Isfiya.
The purpose of the visit was to further expose the senior diplomats to the complex geopolitical circumstances of the State of Israel in the region and to its diverse and dynamic society. The U.N. Human Rights Council has long constituted one of the most hostile multilateral forums toward the State of Israel. President Rivlin – who met privately with the group in the midst of intensive coalition maneuverings – emphasized his own roots in Jerusalem.
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org
Israeli Ambassador in Geneva Aviva Raz Shechter; Alan Schneider, director of the B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem; and B’nai B’rith International Director of U.N. and Intercommunal Affairs David Michaels devised the intensive program and accompanied the diplomats, who represented the Czech Republic, Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Slovakia, Togo, Burkina Faso and Cameroon, for the week-long visit.
The week began with a gala dinner attended by B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem Chairman Haim Katz, U.N. Affairs Chair Millie Magid and her husband, Larry Magid, and ambassadors posted in Israel. The program included meetings with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, MFA Deputy Director General Alon Bar, former Vice President of the Supreme Court Elyakim Rubinstein, Head of the Israel Innovation Authority Ami Appelbaum, Knesset members Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh and Avi Hauser and Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs President Ambassador Dore Gold, among others, including victims of terror attacks and providers of humanitarian services. They visited the Kerem Shalom border crossing into Gaza and Gaza-border communities, Israel’s borders with Syria and Lebanon, Jerusalem’s Old City, Yad Vashem, the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation and the Druze village of Isfiya.
The purpose of the visit was to further expose the senior diplomats to the complex geopolitical circumstances of the State of Israel in the region and to its diverse and dynamic society. The U.N. Human Rights Council has long constituted one of the most hostile multilateral forums toward the State of Israel. President Rivlin – who met privately with the group in the midst of intensive coalition maneuverings – emphasized his own roots in Jerusalem.
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org