As the two nations prepare to mark the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship, the AJC Asia Pacific Institute spoke with Israeli Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen about the evolution of the Israel-Japan relationship.
The power of visits to Israel to foster deeper attachment between American Jews and the Jewish state is well-known. 73% of American Jews who have been to Israel reported that their visit strengthened their connection to Israel, the AJC survey found. Israel and the organized American Jewish community need to think creatively and in partnership about how to recapture at least some of these lost opportunities during the pandemic.
During his visit to Santiago, Chile earlier this month, AJC CEO David Harris met with the editors of La Palabra Israelita, the country’s national Jewish newspaper. The interview was published as Chileans went to the polls, electing Gabriel Boric as the next president. The issues David discussed included antisemitism in Chile and the region, the sizable Palestinian community in Chile, and challenges to relations between Chile and Israel and to U.S.-Chile ties.
By revoking resolution 3379, the UN determined that Zionism is not a form of racism, a determination it has not made regarding any other national movement. Clearly, this has been a setback for those seeking to use the UN as a platform to advance their extreme anti-Israel agenda. Will they learn from this experience and act differently in the future? Sadly, Israel’s adversaries have not relented.
It’s that time of year again – when Jewish families make their traditional plans to indulge in Chinese food on Christmas. But if you think that’s the most significant intersection of Asian and Jewish cultures, think again.
Throughout history, members of the Jewish diaspora have called parts of Asia their home and members of the Asian community have made Judaism their spiritual home.
Five books published in 2021 explore that rich history.