The EAJC welcomes efforts to strengthen ties between Israel and the Jewish world

Israel is currently hosting Diaspora Week, during which the annual Index of Relations between Israel and World Jewish Communities, compiled by the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, was presented to the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog.

Presenting the findings of the study, President of the State of Israel Isaac Herzog emphasized:

“The State views the connection with Jewish communities worldwide as a value of paramount importance and an integral part of its national identity. It is our duty to continue strengthening this profound bond, to foster a sense of mutual responsibility among all segments of the Jewish people, and to pass down to future generations the understanding of how vital the relationship between the State of Israel and global Jewish communities truly is.”

Diaspora Week serves as a timely reminder that, amid the growing challenges faced by Jewish communities in many countries, issues of Jewish identity, mutual responsibility, and cooperation are of particular significance.

President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Michael Mirilashvili noted:

“Israel remains, as it has always been, the spiritual, historical, and national center of the Jewish people. However, the strength of the Jewish people has always lain in our ability to maintain unity regardless of distance and borders. Today, it is of utmost importance to strengthen the partnership between the State of Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, to support Jewish education, cultural ties, and joint initiatives aimed at preserving our shared identity and future.”

Honorary President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress and member of the Political Committee of the World Jewish Congress, Vadim Shulman, emphasized:

“Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people. This status entails not only rights but also a profound responsibility. Today, it is exceptionally important to foster an ongoing and substantive dialogue between the state institutions of Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.

For decades, Jewish communities in the Diaspora have contributed immensely to strengthening the State of Israel, supporting it during challenging periods and aiding its development. Modern realities demand a transition to a new level of partnership based on mutual respect, attentiveness to the needs of the communities, and a shared awareness of our responsibility for the destiny of the Jewish people.”

Director General of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Dr. Haim Ben Yakov, noted:

“We welcome the attention that the State of Israel dedicates to its relations with world Jewish communities. At the same time, it is clear that today we must go beyond merely discussing the importance of these ties and begin to invest them with practical substance.

We must expand joint educational programs, strengthen youth exchanges, support Jewish identity, and develop permanent channels of dialogue between Israel and the communities. Furthermore, greater attention should be paid to Israelis residing abroad, who maintain close ties to their homeland and serve as a natural bridge between Israel and the global Jewish community.

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress intends to play an active role in this endeavor and to facilitate the development of long-term cooperation between Israel and Jewish communities across Eurasia.”

The EAJC regards the strengthening of ties between Israel and world Jewish communities as one of its core missions and intends to pursue new initiatives aimed at fostering the unity of the Jewish people.