April 26, 2017 — Berlin, Germany
An AJC leadership delegation just concluded a two-day visit to Berlin. The trip was highlighted by a meeting with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal President of Germany.
The 12-member group, led by AJC CEO David Harris and Co-Chair of the AJC Berlin Ramer Institute Advisory Board Allan Reich, also met with Markus Ederer, State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office; Ralf Brauksiepe, Parliamentary State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Defense; and Klaus-Dieter Fritsche, State Secretary at the Federal Chancellery and Federal Government Commissioner for the Federal Intelligence Services.
Moreover, the delegation exchanged views with diplomats at the U.S. Embassy, Ministry of Interior officials, and several members of Parliament. In addition, Harris addressed members of Atlantic Bridge, a nongovernmental organization, in which he addressed the impact of the new political era on transatlantic relations.
During the visit, AJC Berlin bestowed its annual Ramer Award for Courage in the Defense of Democracy to two German-Yazidi activists, journalist Duzen Takkal and trauma specialist Dr. Jan Ilhan Kizilhan, for their efforts to expose ISIS atrocities and alleviate the suffering of Yazidi women. Over 100 guests, including ambassadors, parliamentarians, and other high-level officials, attended the moving ceremony.
"As the first Jewish organization worldwide to engage Germany after the war, and, in 1998, to open a permanent office in Germany after WWII, AJC has attached great importance to cultivating its relationship with Berlin for decades," said Harris. "Visiting at a critical moment in world affairs allows us to reaffirm our friendship and address openly issues of common concern. We look to Germany to exercise continued leadership in protecting and upholding the democratic values of the European Union, the most ambitious and successful peace project in modern history."
Among the principal topics discussed during the mission were: (a) German-U.S. bilateral ties in the Trump era; (b) German-Israeli relations, including the controversy surrounding the visit to Israel this week of German Foreign Minister Gabriel; (c) Germany's approach to Russia and to Iran; and (d) the European Union, and, in particular, the pressing issues of immigration, integration, and identity.
The visit concluded with the 16th annual meeting of the AJC Berlin Ramer Institute Advisory Board, whose members include a distinguished roster of U.S. and German members. The AJC Berlin Ramer Institute is directed by Deidre Berger and chaired by Anthony Meyer of New York and Allan Reich of Chicago.
