February 18, 2024 — Munich, Germany
A delegation of American Jewish Committee (AJC) leadership this weekend ensured that the Munich Security Conference (MSC) – the world’s foremost annual gathering focused on international relations and global security – kept the need to support Israel in its fight against terrorism and to bring all the hostages home top of mind at this year’s gathering. In their meetings with numerous world leaders throughout the conference, AJC CEO Ted Deutch, Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer Jason Isaacson, AJC Europe Managing Director Simone Rodan-Benzaquen, Chief of Staff Casey Kustin, and Chair of AJC’s Berlin Ramer Institute Allan Reich also emphasized the importance of continued support for Ukraine as it fights against Russia’s illegal and unwarranted invasion.
“The Munich Security Conference was a key opportunity to remind the global community that more than 130 Israelis are still being held hostage in Gaza and to thank those who have demonstrated their commitment to fighting rising antisemitism and supporting Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorism,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch. “Throughout our conversations with various political and diplomatic representatives, we were grateful to hear an unflinching commitment to democracy and against authoritarianism and terror. Just as we continue to support Israelis in their fight against Hamas, the international community must continue to support Ukrainians in their fight against Russian aggression as we mark two years since Putin’s illegal invasion.”
The AJC delegation met with a number of high-level political and diplomatic representatives from the U.S. and Europe, including former secretaries of state, the foreign ministers of Romania, Lithuania, Croatia, Portugal, and Estonia, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, and senior officials from the Middle East, among others.
They discussed the need to combat the continuing global rise of antisemitism – especially in light of the surge in incidents following Hamas’ Oct. 7 terror attack against Israelis; supporting Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas, the Iran-backed terror organization; strengthening ties with Israel – through both government and civil society; and reaffirming the importance of the transatlantic partnership.
AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York City, 25 offices across the United States, and 14 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC's mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel, and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world.
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