Jerusalem International Conference
Latin American leaders 'mobilize support for Israel'
Over 50 Latin American officials arrive for Jerusalem International Conference; Minister Misezhnikov: You are here to help transform Middle East
The AMISRAEL organization has brought politicians and delegates from 21 countries to this year’s Jerusalem International Conference, the largest gathering of Latin American leaders in Israel.
AMISRAEL established the Jerusalem International Conference as a key annual event bringing government ministers, legislative and judicial officials, and academic leaders from across the continent together to "mobilize support for Israel, peace, and general humanitarian values."
Israel’s Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov (Yisrael Beiteinu) addressed the conference during its opening reception Sunday night, saying it was a “historic event.”
"You are here to help transform the Middle East," he told the Latin American leaders.
Israel’s ambassador to Guatemala Eli Lopez spoke further on the importance of relations between Israel and the Latin American states, emphasizing that “Israel and the chance for peace here is one of the most important foreign policy issues for Guatemala.”
AMISRAEL founder and director Dr. William Soto’s welcoming address focused both on ideals and practical objectives, commenting that “the world is in constant transformation. As policymakers, we are obligated to guide it in the right direction.”
In line with this goal, the delegates are scheduled to hold meetings with their Israeli counterparts at the Knesset, Foreign Ministry, and Supreme Court on Tuesday, followed by subject-oriented symposiums through the end of the conference on June 11th. Natan Sharansky and Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger are also scheduled to address the conference through panel discussions on human rights and interfaith dialogue.
Following this theme, former Knesset Member Benny Elon also addressed the conference, emphasizing that “we appreciate everything you’ve done here in the Holy City of Jerusalem,” adding “the bridges between us are not political, but rather biblical.”
Through the years, AMISRAEL, which is headquartered in Brazil, has developed practical actions regarding high-profile issues, such as Iran, "to assure that support across the Latin American continent does not shift towards other nations."
"A key goal of the Jerusalem conference is also to provide a venue for Latin American political leaders to show that there is strong support for Israel across the continent, and to illustrate the link between support for Israel and support for peace, despite any perception to the contrary," a spokesman for the organization said.
