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- Written by Silvia G. Golan
FLEUR HASSAN-NAHOUM APPOINTED SECRETARY GENERAL OF KOL ISRAEL . JERUSALEM’S DEPUTY MAYOR WILL BE FIRST WOMAN IN THE POST
JERUSALEM, FEBRUARY 25 – Fleur Hassan-Nahoum has been named Secretary General of the World Confederation of United Zionists, the first woman appointed to the position. Hassan-Nahoum is Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem and serves as Special Envoy for Innovation for the Foreign Ministry. She is co-founder of the UAE-Israel Business Council. She follows veteran Jewish educator and organizer Aaron Weil in the position.
Kol Israel, a partnership of the World Confederation of United Zionists and Tnuat HaMercaz Haliberalit HaNoar HaTzioni, is the ideological successor to the General Zionist Party. Uniquely independent of political parties and religious denominations, Kol Israel engages with the majority of world Jewry looking to connect with Israel without labels or limitations. With an eye to the future, they invest in Zionist youth movements and restoring innovation to the heart of the Zionist movement.
“Fleur brings a lifelong career as an advocate for and promoter of Israel-diaspora relations and is a welcome and strong voice of unity at this critical time,” said Kol Israel Chairman David Yaari. “With deep leadership experience and a strong network of Jewish, Zionist, and institutional relationships, Fleur will play a crucial role in expanding our partnerships with Jewish communities around the world.”
"Fleur is a Jewish leader who brings not only political experience but also an understanding of the needs of global Jews in relation to Israel. Her effective communication in English, Hebrew, and Spanish is a welcome addition to our joint faction," said Sergio Edelstein, member of the Zionist Executive, who represents the faction and heads the Youth and Future Generations Department within the World Zionist Organization.
The announcement comes on the same day that Ms. Hassan-Nahoum was appointed to the Board of the Jewish Agency, having been a leading candidate for Chairwoman in the 2021 selection process. She was warmly congratulated in a small gathering of Zionist leaders in the historic Weizmann hall of the World Zionist Organization Headquarters in Jerusalem today.
Yaakov Hagoel, World Zionist Organization Chairman, joined Kol Israel faction leaders and supporters in congratulating the World Confederation of United Zionists and Ms. Hassan-Nahoum.
"We are thrilled to welcome Fleur into this new position. Her passion for the people and State of Israel combined with her commitment to public service are important and refreshing additions to the WZO leadership," he said. “We need to work together to make sure that the crisis that Israel faces today we turn into an opportunity, for renewed vision and commitment.”
Ifat Ovadia-Luski, Chairwoman of KKL-JNF, spoke at the ceremonial event, telling Fleur that “The World Confederation of United Zionists chose you, but they are also lucky to merit having you as their Secretary General.”
Gil Troy, academic historian and author of The Zionist Ideas: Visions for the Jewish Homeland — Then, Now, Tomorrow, described the current moment as “our chance to remember what unites us - to understand that we have unity, even if we don’t have uniformity.” Troy concluded his keynote by addressing Fleur, saying, “I want to say mazel tov, but also mazel tov to us. We have a visionary who understands that we are so much more united, so much more powerful than they [Israel’s detractors] think we are.”
"I am honored to take part in the leadership of the Kol Israel faction, the flagbearer of modern, innovative Zionism," said Hassan-Nahoum. "I have watched from the sidelines as national institutions - once the leaders of the Jewish world - have fallen into politicization and stagnation. We will emerge from Oct. 7th and this war changed - individually and as a people. It is time to invigorate the system with new blood, to make the unity of the Jewish people a priority, and to write the next chapter of our movement that will move Zionism forward for the next generation.”
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About Kol Israel
Kol Israel represents Global Jewish communities in the World Zionist Congress through the World Confederation of United Zionists and Tnuat HaMerkaz Haliberalit Hanoar Hatzioni. It enjoys strong strategic partnerships with various Zionist youth movements, including Young Judaea, Hejalutz Lamerjav, the Federation of Zionist Youth (FZY), and Tzofim Tzabar Olami, as well as other unaffiliated groups throughout the former Soviet Union and Latin America.
Photos credit Silvia G Golan
L-R: Prof. Gil Troy, Lisa Barkan, Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Ifat Ovadia-Luski, Chairwoman of KKL, David Yaari, Kol Israel Chairman, Vivian Grossman, Rabbi Leor Sinai, Head of JAFI's subcommittee on the Absorption of Youth Aliyah, Olga Israel Deutsch, Chair of the Zionist Executive's Federations Committee, Max Meyer, Kol Israel delegate to the World Zionist Congress and head of the Danish Zionist Federation
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- Written by MFA Spokesperson
FM Katz remarks on the ICJ hearing ( International Court of Justice in The Hague)
FM Katz: There is no basis for South Africa's claims against Israel. On the contrary, no evidence was presented, only evidence of a moral defensive war.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz at the end of the hearing at the International Court of Justice in The Hague: "The Israeli delegation revealed the true face of South Africa as a loyal representative of a terrorist organization that inhumanely slaughtered babies, children, women, and adults.
"When it concerns Israel, it seems that the double standards of some of the countries of the world scream to the heavens.
“There is no basis for South Africa's claims against Israel. On the contrary, no evidence was presented, only evidence of a moral defensive war.
“South Africa itself violates the Genocide Convention by supporting the terrorist organization Hamas, which calls for the elimination of the State of Israel.
“I called the legal advisor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to thank him and the members of the Israeli legal team for their impressive appearance that undermined all the hypocritical arguments of South Africa and revealed its true face as a loyal representative of a terrorist organization that inhumanely slaughtered babies, children, women, and adults.
“I hope the complaint will be dismissed outright and justice will prevail.”
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- Written by Spokesperson of the President's Office
"Citizens of Israel, this is a difficult evening. Each time we hear the words 'cleared for publication', our hearts shudder with renewed pain and grief. Behind the name of every fallen soldier in the fighting in Gaza, there is an Israeli hero. A member of a family. A parents’ son. A partner. A father. A brother. A grandson. A loved one. “Who knows every pain. Who heals the brokenhearted.” (Chana Ben-Ari). The fallen and wounded are the best of the best. The beautiful and cherished. “They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.” (Samuel 2 1:23)
Our sons and daughters fight with supreme bravery. They risk their lives in the alleys, tunnels and shafts. In enemy territory, with a complex, dangerous challenge, they bring results and achievements. They fight with heroism, responsibility, with determination, morally, to achieve two interrelated goals: to eradicate a bitter and cruel enemy, and bring home the hostages, and rescue them from the abyss. They protect our collective home in a war we did not choose, against a brutal terrorists so that we will not see a return of these bloody rounds, again and again and again. They fight so that we – the Jewish nation – will have a better future, so that the entire region, and even humanity as a whole will have a better future.
And so that our brothers and sisters held hostage will be swiftly returned home.
The situation faced by our sisters and brothers, the hostages held captive by Hamas murderers - is unprecedented, cruel, and inhumane.
The obligation to return them in any way possible is an indelible commandment burned deep in our consciousness. We will not rest until they come home.
Do not forget, we are in the middle of a campaign against those who rose up to murder Jews, to rape, torture and kidnap Jews – and alongside the many Israelis also foreign citizens, and those of other beliefs and religions. It is a difficult, onerous, prolonged, and painful campaign. There is no “blink and we’re done”. But especially at this stage of the campaign, as painful and difficult stage as it may be, we must not break. We must raise our heads. The enemy is just waiting to see the cracks within us, for us to start fighting one another. They also see the conflicts, the arguments, the struggles between egos, the political conflicts – both in the days before, and in the days after. They celebrate when they see the cracks between us. And precisely because of this, I would like to convey the fitting request of the hundreds of grieving and bereaved families, and with them, the voices of our soldiers on the frontlines and the multitudes Israelis back standing behind them that I have met in the last months – and call on everyone, especially the elected officials: End the internal struggles and division. Yes, arguments and debates are part of our DNA. It is perfectly allowed – even necessary – to dispute and criticize, even in wartime, but there is a way to argue. We must not return to the discourse of October 6. We must not return to the poison online. We must not return to the discourse of “us and them”. In particular, I want to caution that anyone who seeks to bring us back to the discourse of October 6, is harming the war effort and the security the citizens of the country.
I appeal directly to the leaders of the people, to the senior leadership, and in general everyone who works in the political system and in the public sphere – and I say “stop”. Show responsibility. If not for your own sakes, at least for our children on the frontlines, for whom we care, and pray for their wellbeing and success. Hold off just a little more with the campaigns and with the political messages. It won’t do any damage. But at this time there is one imperative: and that is for unity, determination and mutual responsibility. We are in a war – not a war of choice, but a justified, correct and moral war. The justness of our path prevails over everything. Everything.
This moment is a test: We will not break, nor blink, nor fall apart, and we certainly will not tear ourselves apart from the inside. We shed a tear - and we shoulder on together.
From here I wish to offer strength and support to the IDF, to its fighters and commanders, who are risking their lives to return the hostages and restore the security of the State of Israel, to General Staff headed by Major General Herzi Halevi – for their responsible leadership, for their professional dedication.
I also offer strength to the operatives of the Shin Bet and Mossad, the security forces and their commanders. And to the Prison Officers, and all the search and rescue and emergency responders. “May God protect and save them all from all harm”.
And in the same spirit, I pray for the success of the War Cabinet led by the Prime Minister. In a historic emergency like no other, the need for unity and responsibility is above all else.
My sisters and brothers. Precisely in these difficult moments, I want to tell you that I wholeheartedly believe that victory will come. The amazing Israeli spirit, the spirit of mutual responsibility, of mobilization above and beyond the call of duty, is the civil and true victory that will help the military achieve victory over the enemy on the battlefield.
I want to tell you personally - even amidst all the pain – we must remember that the road to victory is lined with small victories, small hopes, and even small joys.
To the mother getting her children to kindergarten and school while her partner has been on reserve duty for more than 70 days, I want to say – you are the victory.
For the displaced family from the north or the south that is succeeding - even in a small hotel room – to maintain a routine and keep going with daily life. To every business owner who despite everything, has not given up for a moment - you are the victory.
The State of Israel must not forget you, and she is obliged to take care of you.
Every bereaved family that managed to raise a smile, or to imagine for a moment a way forward in the grief or hurt. Every wounded person who has perseveres during a round of physical therapy or psychological treatment. Every family of hostages working all over the world. I send you a warm embrace. You are our strength on the way to victory.
Every volunteer from all corners of Israeli society. Everyone who works for a shared existence in Israel - Arabs alongside Jews - even in this complex time, in responsibility, in solidarity, in absolute opposition to terrorism, and in firm support of a shared and prosperous life in our Jewish and democratic country – you are the victory. You are the victory.
Everyone who returned to sow wheat in the western Negev. All saying psalms in prayer for the recovery of the wounded, or helping harvest the fields in the South, or supporting the businesses of the reservists serving on the front. These are all victories, and these are all hopes. And these victories add to each other, and strengthen those on the front. They build us up step by step, in the victory against a cruel enemy. Because the enemy simply just didn't expect this. They didn't expect us to raise up, to unite. We will prove the Israeli way of life is second to none.
This is the time to offer strength to the home front and the frontline, with small victories compounding goodness and mutual responsibility. This is the time to restore normality in every way as much as possible. This is the time for more light, and hope, and unity. It is in our hands. And in our hands alone. Because even if the road is long, - as already said - to walk in it, is to live."
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- Written by SWC Simon Wiesenthal Center
Simon Wiesenthal Center statement in response to South Africa’s accusation presented at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide:
It is no surprise that Hamas supporter, South Africa has turned to the InternationalInternational_Court_of_Justice_Seal Court of Justice to demonize and delegitimize Israel. This court has a panel of judges from countries like Russia, China, Lebanon, and Somalia that themselves should be on the docket for their violation of fundamental human rights and in some cases are guilty of crimes against humanity.
It is unclear if the Jewish state has any chance of winning its case on the justice of its actions or will yet again be the victim in a kangaroo court.
Still, Israel will do its best to refocus an uncaring world on who the true victims are and who is responsible for loss of life and property in Gaza. It will document Hamas’ litany of crimes against humanity, its barbaric killings, beheadings, dismemberment, rape and other crimes targeting Israeli civilians in the sovereign territory of the Jewish state.
It is not Israel that should be on the docket, but Hamas leaders who have lived in the lap of luxury in Qatar who should be on trial; it is their sponsors and trainers in Tehran who should be called before the ICJ, not the Jewish state which stands firmly on legal and more importantly, ethical and moral ground by defending its people.
The Nazi Holocaust destroyed entire European Jewish communities, with six million Jews, including 1.5 million children mass murdered by Nazi Germany and its willing collaborators.
It was only after January 27, 1945, the day Auschwitz was liberated by the Soviet soldiers, that the world would begin to understand the scope of the barbarities inflicted on Europe’s Jews, of a crime of such epic scope, that a new term had to be invented to describe the Holocaust: Genocide.
The United Nations, born out of the ashes of World War II and the Holocaust passed the UN Genocide Convention, which made genocide a crime under international law as well as incitement to genocide as a criminal act.
This is a dark day for international law, it is a dark day for justice as we see, yet again, players like South Africa, like Russia, like China, utilizing international modalities to deflect attention from themselves and to continue to pound America’s lone reliable ally in the region and lone true democracy in the Middle East: the State of Israel.
Simon Wiesenthal Center is a Nonprofit organization .Global human rights organization confronting anti-Semitism, standing with Israel & defending Jews worldwide.
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- Written by Jewish News / Jerusalem Post,
"Jews worldwide haven't been this fearful in living memory"
Jewish media outlets worldwide call for combating the surge in antisemitism
Two decades ago, the former British Chief Rabbi, Lord Jonathan Sacks, astutely likened antisemitism to a constantly evolving virus. One that, in the modern era, specifically targets the Jewish nation-state.
He aptly described this prejudice as a deeply ingrained malignancy, perpetually lingering beneath the surface of society. For many of us in the global Jewish community, the great man’s words were not merely a statement of truth but also a stark reminder. Until recent days, the extent and intensity of this virulent strain of hatred were tragically underestimated.
While the need for stringent security measures at schools and synagogues has long been a familiar reality, the realization that such profound levels of hatred and indifference to the threat exist on a global scale has been a devastating shock.
We dared to hope such malevolence had been relegated to the annals of history.
Today, in an unprecedented moment in Jewish history, we unite as Jewish news outlets spanning borders, continents, and religious affiliations to issue this open letter – something we never envisioned as necessary or even conceivable.
The events of recent weeks have surpassed even the somber portrayal offered by Rabbi Sacks all those years ago. Some of those who propagate hatred, concealing their prejudice under the veneer of being 'anti-Israel,' no longer find it necessary to obscure their malice.
We’ve witnessed raw hatred against Jews in cities across the globe.
In Dagestan, a mob ran towards planes on a runway to check passengers’ passports, hunting for disembarking Jews.
In Sydney, when authorities lit the famous Opera House in Israel’s colors, a crowd sang ‘Gas the Jews’.
In Lyon France, a woman was stabbed at her home, and a Swastika was spraypainted on her front door.
In London, red paint was daubed on Jewish school doors and the Wiener Holocaust Library.
In Berlin, Magen Davids have been spray painted on homes, a haunting echo of scenes in that German city 90 years ago.
On an American campus, students have openly chanted for Jewish genocide and celebrated the ‘martyrs’ who butchered Jewish children in their beds on 7 October.
This is not a call for two states living side by side in peace. This is not legitimate opposition to Benjamin Netanyahu and his government.
How could we have been so blind to this malignancy in our midst?
And yet, all that we have seen so far isn’t even our worst fear. Our gravest concerns lie in what the future may hold.
Meanwhile, some world leaders act as cheerleaders, sometimes inadvertently but at other times, not. Colombia’s president Gustavo Petro said: “If I had lived in Germany of 1933, I would have fought on the side of the Jewish people, and if I had lived in Palestine in 1948, I would have fought on the Palestinian side”.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: “Hamas is not a terrorist organization”.
The head of the UN Antonio Guterres said 7/10 “didn’t happen in a vacuum”.
No, it didn’t, Mr Guterres. It required decades of indoctrination, years of holding up terrorists as heroes to be lionized, a sure way to fame and, often, fortune, and the presence of a terrorist organization whose central aim is to wipe Israel – and every one of our a Jewish family and friends – off the face of the earth.
Have no doubt, that Hamas is cheering those ‘from the river to the sea’ chants because a Palestine between the river to the sea leaves not a single inch for Israel.
Why do so many still seek to deny what’s in Hamas’ own charter?
And why are so many good people still silent when cheerleaders for terrorists decide the worst massacre of our co-religionists since the Holocaust is a good moment to open up a second, global front targeting Jews on campus, at work, on the streets, and at home?
Clearly not everyone marching under the Palestinian flag fantasizes about our deaths or the destruction of the world's only Jewish state.
But please, try to understand that whether it’s one person, 100 people, or 10,000, the chilling impact of seeing so many people echo and excuse hateful chants is profound.
It's not easy to speak on behalf of Jews in one country, never mind the world, nor do we purport to. As journalists, we report, opine, and comment. But the level of fear among our readers is like nothing in memory. It feels like those two equilateral triangles that combine to form our beloved Star of David represent a six-pointed target.
This is heightened by the fact there will be those who dismiss every word in this piece as having been written in bad faith, part no doubt of our supposed control of power and the media that has manipulated their warped minds. There will also be Jews who tell you this article doesn't speak for them. Before those in the media feel the urge to put them on the airwaves in an attempt at 'balance', please first ask for an ounce of proof that they represent more than a tiny band of misfits. Some are more likely to stand alongside the Iranian regime that is so despised by much of the Muslim world than they would with most Jews.
Please don't, however, mistake this growing fear for a lack of determination to fight our corner as citizens deserving of support and protection in our home nations, or doubt our solidarity as a people numbering just 16 million. In fact, we've never been so determined, so energized, so united and so proud, as highlighted by the huge uptick in sales of Stars of David. The incredible response in holding rallies, supporting charities, and fighting running battles on social media is something that will remain a source of pride for as long as those horrific images from Kibbutz Beeri and the peace rave.
This unity has been a light in the darkness. Another has been the support, publicly and sometimes not, of our real friends in all communities. Again, we will never ever forget this.
Our collective Jewish heart bleeds for the families of those who lost relatives in the Hamas atrocities and those facing agonizing waits for news of the kidnapped men, women, and children. Whether directly or not directly, many of our readers will be connected to these innocents. But our hearts bleed too for the innocents killed in Gaza as a result of this entirely unnecessary war launched by Hamas.
Over the unbearably painful days ahead, we - as providers of news for secular or religious Jews, those who frequently critique Israeli policy and those who don't, those who see Israel are central to their identity, and those who are drawn nearer by crises such as this - call on the world to listen and treat us as you would want to be treated.
It shouldn't be too much to ask.
