WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)—Jack Rosen, American Jewish Congress president and American Council for World Jewry chairman, is in Washington, D.C. this week attending the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. On Tuesday, August 5, Mr. Rosen attended the White House state dinner where he continued conversations with a number of African heads of state and dignitaries, advancing the working relationship between the two organizations and African leaders. Rosen will hold private meetings with several African presidents and prime ministers while in DC.
Mr. Rosen issued the following statement, while attending the summit:
“The American Council for World Jewry and the American Jewish Congress both have a rich history of cooperation with many African nations, and this week offered an opportunity to enhance this important and ongoing dialogue. Right now, Israel and Jewish communities around the globe are facing disproportionate levels of discrimination on the streets and within international institutions such as the United Nations. African states have a long tradition of working with Israel and, in any way we can, we want to keep those channels open while we seek African support for speaking out against anti-Semitism in international forums.
“Africa is too significant to ignore and we cannot accept the status quo. The American Jewish Congress and the American Council for World Jewry will continue working to build a level of trust and mutual understanding leading to greater cooperation between the global Jewish community, Israel and African nations. Our Science Diplomacy Initiative has been an effective way of introducing needed technology, developed by Israeli companies, in agriculture, healthcare, communications and business to Africa’s leadership, while building stronger political and economic bonds between Israel and African states and the Jewish community.”
There are 54 African member states in the United Nations, with 13 currently sitting on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Additionally, Gabon’s permanent representative to the U.N., Baudelaire Ndong Ella, the sitting president of the UNHRC, is tasked with organizing the United Nations investigation into the recent violence between Israel and Gaza. It is vital that the Jewish community have a voice at this table.
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Preceding provided by the American Jewish Congress