WJC Israel elects new board
Elections held in wake of attempt by WJC secretary general in New York to override authority of chairman, Executive and forcibly appoint new Israeli director
The World Jewish Congress Israel Executive revealed their newly elected board on December 7; representatives from all major Jewish political parties in Israel will sit on the board. MKs Shai Hermesh (Kadima) and Igal Zahor (Labor) will co-preside as chairmen of the board, other members include Yoav Blum (Likud), MK Yakov Margi (Shas) and Eli Bronstein (Israel Our Home).
Chairman-elect MK Hermesh has served as head of the WJC's General Council over the past four years and is a former treasurer of the Jewish Agency. He was asked to head his party's deputation to the World Jewish Congress by Prime Minster Ehud Olmert.
The new executive stressed both its autonomy and affiliation to the world Jewish body, stressing its commitment to the WJC's core mission of strengthening ties between the State of Israel and the Jewish communities and organizations throughout the world.
It pledged to continue the work of the WJC in the struggle against anti-Semitism; fostering interfaith relations; restitution of Holocaust-era Jewish assets and property stolen from Jews in Arab lands; and securing Israel and the Jewish people against threats from Iran and other Islamic extremists.
Support for Brown
It also unanimously reaffirmed its strong support for Israel Office Director Bobby Brown, who maintains a notable record of public service in the Jewish world.The elections and statement of support for Brown come in the wake of an attempt by WJC Secretary General in New York, Stephen Herbits, to override the authorities of the chairman and the Executive and forcibly appoint a new director.
Zvi Ramot, a member of the Executive, expressed the sentiment of the meeting - calling the appointment of Ambassador Oded Eran to a senior position in the WJC an attempt to "create internal conflict."
Ramot also said it was a "waste of public funds…" and stressed that "this high-handed approach in Israel, Europe and other parts of the world must end."
