For Immediate Release
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
A delegation of forty of Ambassadors to the United Nations from all regions of the world has today returned from Israel after a weeklong Diplomatic Mission to visit the Jewish State and also to Poland for Holocaust Remembrance Program. The Ambassadors traveled at the invitation of The American Zionist Movement (AZM) and The International March of the Living (MOTL), which have organized the delegation in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations.
In Poland the Ambassadors visited the Majdanek concentration and extermination camp; sites in the Warsaw Ghetto; the POLIN Museum and met leaders of the Polish Jewish Community. In Israel highlights of the visit included meetings with President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion; a memorial ceremony at Yad Vashem; a tour of the Old City of Jerusalem, including visits to the Western Wall, City of David and Christian holy sites; a trip to the Northern Border to see the security situation and terror tunnels; and meetings with high-tech leaders.
(Photos are available upon request).
“It was important for Ambassadors from around the world to understand both the history of and contemporary life in Israel in order to be best informed on issues which come to their attention at the United Nations. A first-hand personal visit was essential to such understanding,” said Richard D. Heideman, President of The American Zionist Movement, who accompanied the delegation.
Phyllis Greenberg Heideman, President of The International March of the Living, said “I recall being an NGO Delegate to the UN Conference on Women in Nairobi and the UN Conference on Racism in Durban, South Africa. Both were “hatefests” against Israel. Hate often comes from ignorance. As many remember the odious Zionism=Racism Resolution of the United Nations, the fact that so many Ambassadors to the UN traveled to Poland and Israel under the auspices of The American Zionist Movement and The International March of the Living was especially significant, particularly during this period of rising global Antisemitism. We must learn the lessons of the past in order to build a better future.”
Ambassador Danny Danon said: “As we witness an increase in Antisemitism around the world and dangerous attempts to rewrite history, now more than ever we must ensure that the memories of survivors pass on to the next generation. By visiting Holocaust extermination sites. UN ambassadors are speaking out against Antisemitism and sending a message to all those who peddle in hatred. While Israel faces many challenges at the UN, we also know that we have many friends and that this number continues to grow as more and more countries come to appreciate our beautiful thriving country and the contributions we make to the international community.”
This second AZM-MOTL UN Ambassadors Diplomatic Mission followed a Spring 2018 delegation of 40 Ambassadors who participated on the March of the Living in Poland and then visited Israel.
The American Zionist Movement is comprised of 29 national Jewish Zionist organizations and works across a broad ideological, political and religious spectrum linking the American Jewish community together in support of Israel, Zionism and the Jewish people
For further information, contact:
Richard D. Heideman, President, The American Zionist Movement
Phyllis Greenberg Heideman, President, International March of the Living
