June 2, 2017 — Jerusalem, Israel
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon is escorting a delegation of ambassadors to the UN on a trip to Israel, organized by AJC Project Interchange and led by AJC CEO David Harris.
The delegation of nine ambassadors, from Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Asia Pacific region, marks the sixth time that AJC (American Jewish Committee) has brought a group of UN ambassadors to Israel, and the third time the group is led jointly by Ambassador Danon and AJC.
"Ambassadors to the UN are senior representatives of their governments and are at the forefront of their countries international relations efforts,” said Ambassador Danon. “The more ambassadors that visit Israel and have the chance to visit all parts of our beautiful country, the more they understand the challenges, as well as the opportunities, facing Israel in today’s tumultuous Middle East.”
"As the global Jewish advocacy organization, AJC’s interests span every continent and include, of course, the role of the UN,” said AJC CEO David Harris. “In that spirit, we are honored to play a part in bringing this high-ranking delegation to Israel. From long experience, observing Israel from a distance is no substitute for seeing it up close, which is the goal of this five-day visit.”
To provide a deeper understanding of the geopolitical and security challenges Israel faces, the ambassadors will travel throughout Israel, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, the northern border and southern region.
They will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and other government officials in Jerusalem, and visit centers for Israeli innovation in agriculture and water technology.
The delegation will also travel to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Hamdallah, and visit the joint Israeli-Jordanian-Palestinian Industrial Zone, which is operating with the support of the Japanese government.
The ambassadors will discuss with officials the current efforts and difficulties in advancing the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
During their visit to the Galilee region in Israel’s north, the ambassadors will meet with Dr. Masad Barhoum, Director General of the Galilee Medical Center. In May, AJC honored Dr. Barhoum with its International Human Dignity Award for providing urgent treatment to Syrians severely injured in their country’s civil war.
The delegation includes ambassadors from Australia, Estonia, Gabon, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Papua New Guinea, Poland, and Togo. Four of the ambassadors attended a dinner in New York, hosted by AJC Honorary President Stanley M. Bergman and Dr. Marion Bergman, chair of AJC’s Africa Institute, in May for African ambassadors to the UN.
