Lapid to US Jewish Leaders: Israel Accepts All Streams of Judaism

Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Wednesday, September 21, during his diplomatic visit to New York met with the heads of Jewish organizations representing different streams of Judaism. The event took place at the offices of United Jewish Appeal and was co-hosted by the Jewish Federations of North America in cooperation with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

Also participating were Israeli Ambassador to the United States Mike Herzog, Israeli Ambassador to Canada Ronen Hoffman, and Israeli Consul-General in New York Asaf Zamir. “We are one family. You are my brothers and sisters. The Government of Israel accepts all streams of Judaism. The special bond between Israel and Jews around the world is one of our top priorities, and we will show this. Israel must be, and will be, an open home for all Jews,” Lapid said.

Approximately 50 organizations from the different streams of American Judaism participated in the meeting. The Prime Minister thanked them for their work and their support for Israel. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of continuing to maintain the relationship between Israel and the American Jewish community, in all its diversity.

A participant in the meeting told Israeli media that Lapid was asked a lot of questions relating to the US relationship with Israel and the Jewish Diaspora, which he answered, although not always with specifics.

“He was asked a lot of questions. He was very nice. I think people walked out feeling good,” he added. “He was very warm and effusive and praised the role of American Jewry and the partnership [with Israel], but when it came to specifics, we talked about the expanded Mediterranean initiative, we talked about the Balkan states, we talked about Lebanon – he said he doesn’t think they’ll risk the destruction that [would occur if they] go to war, but it’s a very serious situation. In Syria, it’s also destabilized. We talked about the displaced people.” (INN / VFI News)

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” - Proverbs 3:3