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Board of Deputies at AJC Global Forum 2017

Chief Executive Gillian Merron and International Relations Officer David attended AJC (American Jewish Committee) Global Forum 2017 in Washington this week as world leaders, Israeli and US politicians and media personalities came together for a range of sessions covering issues from Muslim-Jewish engagement to the diaspora’s relationship with Israel, geopolitical alliances to youth leadership. Speakers included US National Security Advisor Lt. Gen. McMaster, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, Zionist Union co-leader Tzipi Livni, Israel’s Minister for Public Security & Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was interviewed by Young AJC Leaders while CEO David Harris held a candid ‘in conversation’ session with Israel’s US Ambassador HE Ron Dermer.

At this year’s Global Forum, Gillian Merron took part in a panel discussion on the issue of antisemitism in Europe alongside AJC Europe’s Simone Rodan-Benzaquen, the European Commission’s Katherina Schnurbein, Swedish Moderate Party MP Hani Balli and Rabbi Andrew Baker of AJC and the OSCE. Gillian also led a commemorative event for the victims of the recent terror attack in London alongside UJS President-Elect and deputy Josh Holt.

The AJC awarded its Campus Courage Award to Vice President of the National Union of Students (UK) Rob Young for his efforts to speak out on behalf of Jewish students and their wellbeing, despite not being Jewish himself.

The Board of Deputies and AJC last year inked an association agreement and have collaborated on a number of projects including the ‘European Mayors United Against Antisemitism’ initiative and a joint Board of Deputies – AJC Europe event for London’s diplomatic community at which more than forty countries were represented which will be repeated this year.

Following the conclusion of the Global Forum, Gillian and David attended a reception hosted by the Cypriot Embassy where they expressed gratitude to Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades for his unwavering dedication to enhancing ties with Israel and the Jewish diaspora.

Next year’s AJC Global Forum will be held in Jerusalem.

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