Photo credit: Shahar Azran/WJC

A senior delegation from the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) took part in the Executive Committee meeting of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), held in Jerusalem from May 18 to 20. The forum brought together more than 350 delegates from 70 Jewish communities worldwide for a series of working sessions aimed at addressing organizational and procedural matters, electing new WJC board members, and discussing the state of global antisemitism following the events of October 7, 2023.

The EAJC delegation included EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, EAJC Chairman of the Board Aaron G. Frenkel, EAJC Director General Dr. Haim Ben Yaakov, as well as leaders of Jewish communities from across the Euro-Asian region.

Notably, Aaron G. Frenkel was elected WJC Senior Vice President and Treasurer, becoming the first representative of the EAJC to assume such a distinguished position. He will continue to serve as Chairman of the EAJC Board. In addition, Alexander Bilinkis, Vice President of the EAJC, businessman, and head of the Jewish Community of the Republic of Moldova, was elected WJC Vice President.

During the Assembly, EAJC leaders actively contributed to discussions on the urgent challenges facing the global Jewish community amid Israel’s war with Hamas. Key topics included the sharp rise in antisemitism worldwide, the fight against terrorism in the Middle East, the Iranian threat to Israel, and strengthening the bond between the Jewish diaspora and Jerusalem. At the close of the second day, a special evening for global Jewish community leaders was held at the initiative of the EAJC, led by President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili.

The WJC Executive Committee concluded with the adoption of a resolution reaffirming the commitment of the World Jewish Congress and its affiliated communities to the State of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people with Jerusalem as its capital. The resolution emphasized unconditional support for Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, living in peace and security, with recognized and protected borders and the right to defend itself against all security threats.

Separately, WJC leaders issued a call for the release of the 58 hostages still being held by terrorists in the Gaza Strip, where they have been in captivity for over 592 days. On the third day of the forum, WJC delegates met with representatives of the hostages’ families and expressed solidarity with their struggle to bring their loved ones home.