The leaders of the EAJC attended the meeting of the World Jewish Congress Executive Committee in Jerusalem

Photo: Shahar Azran/WJC

A senior delegation from the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) participated in the meeting of the Executive Committee of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) in Jerusalem. The forum was held from May 18 to 20. Over 350 delegates representing 70 Jewish communities worldwide gathered for a series of working sessions and deliberations to address several organizational and procedural matters, elect new candidates to the WJC Governing Board, and assess the global status of antisemitism following the events of October 7, 2023.

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress delegation to the WJC Executive Committee meeting included EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, Chairman of the EAJC Governing Board Aaron G. Frenkel, Congress Director General Dr. Haim Ben Yakov, and leaders of Jewish communities from the Euro-Asian region.

Notably, Aaron G. Frenkel was elected as the WJC Vice President and Treasurer, becoming the first representative of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress to hold this prominent office. He will simultaneously continue his tenure as Chairman of the EAJC Governing Board. Furthermore, Alexander Bilinkis, Vice President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, businessman, and President of the Jewish Community of the Republic of Moldova, was also elected as WJC Vice President. 

During the assembly, the leaders of the Congress took part in discussions on critical challenges facing the global Jewish community amidst the war between Israel and Hamas, including the sharp rise in antisemitism worldwide, the fight against terrorism in the Middle East, the Iranian threat to Israel, and the connection between the Diaspora and Jerusalem. At the conclusion of the second day of the forum, a special reception for global Jewish community leaders was hosted at the initiative of the EAJC leadership, led by President Michael Mirilashvili.

The WJC Executive Committee meeting concluded with a resolution reaffirming the commitment of the World Jewish Congress and its associated communities to the nation-state of the Jewish people with its capital in Jerusalem. The document underscores unconditional support for Israel's existence as a Jewish and democratic state, in peace and security, with recognized and protected borders, and its right to defend itself against all security threats.

Additionally, WJC leaders called for the unconditional release of the 58 hostages held by terrorists in the Gaza Strip for over 592 days. On the third day of the forum, WJC delegates met with representatives of the families of the hostages, expressing solidarity with their struggle to secure the return of their loved ones from captivity.