Israeli President Reuven Rivlin told United States Jewish leaders on June 10 that it’s important for the Jewish community to fight anti-Semitism and racism since they’re similar to each other.
Speaking on a live stream from his home in Jerusalem, Rivlin said, “We must stand together in fighting all forms of anti-Semitism. We must stand together in fighting all forms of racism. Anti-Semitism and racism are two sides of the same coin, and we must fight them wherever they appear.”
Rivlin added that it was important for Israelis and Diaspora Jews to continue to partner with one another and engage in dialogue, especially given the challenges brought by COVID-19.
“We still have not solved all of the difficult questions of the Jewish people,” Rivlin said. “But this is the spirit of true dialogue between Israel and the Diaspora that we need today.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi spoke after Rivlin, saying that the Israeli-Diaspora partnership is important and praising U.S. Jewish leaders for their handling of the pandemic.
“I salute the leaders of the American Jewish community for their leadership as they confront the coronavirus pandemic,” he said. “We share the same fate and we must work together to get through this crisis.”
Among the U.S. leaders reportedly on the call included Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations CEO William Daroff, Jewish Federations of North America CEO Eric Fingerhut and IKAR Rabbi Sharon Brous.
