In the interest not only of self-defense and the protection of their values, but also as a conduit to participate in civic life and affect wider issues. We take this message as we engage senior government officials, but also at the United Nations.
Engaging their country’s leadership and becoming politically active citizens is an avenue that has not been maximized by Jewish citizens and has great potential for development in Jewish communities in many countries around the world.
Combating fundamentalism by opening dialogue with Muslim leaders is one of our approaches. And we work with the United States Congress, the Executive Branch, and other international partners to make sure that Israel has the capability to defend itself.
Therefore, the Council is vigilant to tackle head-on every national and international form of antisemitism, including the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement. Countering Iran’s goals of regional hegemony and preventing it from acquiring a nuclear weapon remain paramount.
Many have taken inspiration from its forward-looking model and are looking for ways to adapt it to their situation. We build the groundwork to export this successful model and to build new bridges of cooperation between peoples and faiths.
Particularly in the younger generation of Jewish activists—a pursuit of enhanced effectiveness and a realization that it is necessary to go beyond the traditional methods of process. The Council sets out to pioneer a new course.
The Conference provides a unique opportunity for prominent municipal leaders from across the world to experience Israel for themselves, to learn from one another, to discover the urban possibilities rendered by Israeli innovation and technology, and to build ties between their cities and countries and the State of Israel.
The International Mayors Conference is an opportunity to engage with future world leaders, improve diplomatic relations between Israel and the world, and create a real change in the way Israel is treated in International Bodies such as the UN.
Every year, our conference delegation includes leading and prominent mayors who often go on to become leaders of their countries. Our conference has a long list of successful former mayors who have achieved this goal including Mauricio Macri, former President of Argentina; Matteo Renzi, former Prime Minister of Italy; William Lai, Vice President of Taiwan; President of El
Salvador Nayib Bukele; and others.
In recognition of a common purpose, the American Council for World Jewry has established close collaborative partnerships with leading Jewish communal bodies in Europe, South America and Asia.
Together we have created educational and public advocacy programs to advance our common interests. Our delegations have traveled around the world, including to China, Russia, Argentina, Pakistan, Cuba, Azerbaijan, and many other countries to advance these efforts.