November 06/2015

Celebrating Eight Years of Israeli World Music and Jazz!

Here in Philadelphia, we are about to celebrate the 8^th season of our annual Israeli World Music & JazzPhest running from November 7-23, 2015. This year’s festival is now a region-wide Tri-State event featuring new partners, new venues and a diverse, unique lineup of artists. The Consulate produces this festival as part of a larger vision to introduce local communities to Israeli music and culture, as well as an opportunity for further collaboration and discourse between Israeli and US artists.

The festival opens Nov. 7^th in partnership with the Exit Zero International Jazz Festival in Cape May, NJ featuring the Shai Maestro Trio (11/7) and Oran Etkin (11/8), both reflecting their boundary-pushing musical approaches. Etkin’s new project Reimagining Benny Goodman, a Distinctly Modern Homage to the King of Swing, will be particularly appealing to those with fond memories of Swing’s heyday, refracted through new Israeli and African-derived musical traditions.

November 8^th will also mark the Philadelphia premiere of Balladino, an Israeli ensemble offering fresh and authentic reinterpretations of Sephardic and Ladino melodies. Ladino, also known as Judeo-Spanish, is the spoken and written language of Jews of Spanish origin and Balladino’s music incorporates this dialect along with other Middle Eastern influences that are part of the Sephardic heritage.

More incredible music is forthcoming later in the week as well as the following one. You can learn more by clicking here which will take you to the World Music & JazzPhest’s dedicated website where you can also purchase tickets. Hope to see you at the shows!

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

October 30/2015

Remembering Rabin (1922-1995)

This week marked 20 years to the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who led Israel through times of war and of peace. His name and legacy are synonymous with landmark achievements in both arenas. As IDF Chief of Staff, Rabin propelled Israel to victory in the 1967 war; in 1976 Rabin's first government ordered the Entebe operation, in which the IDF heroically rescued Air France passengers hijacked by terrorists in Uganda. During Rabin's second term as Prime Minister he signed the Oslo agreements with the Palestinians and the treaty of peace with Jordan.

Rabin, in his own words, was a soldier of war and a soldier for peace. His commitment to "fight terror as if there were no peace and make peace as if there is no terror" encapsulates succinctly the challenge Israel still faces today. Rabin served the State of Israel as a distinguished military leader just as he served in the Palmach prior to Israel’s establishment. He continued serving Israel as an officer, a diplomat and a statesman every single day of his life, up until that fateful day when he was killed at a peace rally in Tel Aviv.

Rabin paid with his life for his staunch commitment to peace. His legacy will remain with us forever.

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

October 23/2015

Israeli aid to Vanuatu and the wave of Palestinian violence

It is possible to gain an understanding of the root causes of the ongoing wave of violence in Israel by looking at Israel’s relationship with the far-away Pacific island nation of Vanuatu.

This week, Israel shipped significant humanitarian assistance to the island republic in the form of food to provide for the nutritional needs of 2,000 of its citizens for a period of one month. The aid was delivered in the aftermath of a disaster caused by a tropical cyclone last March, which destroyed 90% of the structures in the main island of the Republic and decimated 70% of the country's crops. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a letter to his counterpart in Vanuatu a few days after the cyclone, expressing his regret for the tragic loss of life, and declaring Israel to be ready and willing to help rebuild the country and provide assistance for recovery.

Nothing compelled Israel to extend this generosity other than a genuine desire to help others in need and to save lives whenever and wherever possible. The values of human dignity, love, and sanctity of life are enshrined in Israel’s declaration of independence, and inherent to our national narrative. They are part of our moral DNA as Israelis and as Jews.

Contrast this with the current wave of Palestinian violence, which seeks on a daily basis to take the lives of Israelis and to kill Jews, and is a direct result of a national narrative and mindset that propagates hatred, terrorism and murder as opposed to reverence for life. In order for there to be a chance of peace between Israelis and Palestinians, the Palestinian leadership must stop poisoning the minds of young Palestinians with hatred of the Jews. When the Arab world sees value in sending humanitarian assistance to far-away countries like Vanuatu, the Middle East will have turned a corner for the better.

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

October 16/2015

When Hatred and Hope Collide

Throughout history, the Jewish people and the Jewish State have triumphed in the face of challenges and threats. Not only have we survived, but we are thriving today, as a people and as a state. The astonishing accomplishments of Israel in the relatively short time since its establishment are a testament to that triumph. One key reason for our success is that we, as Jews and Israelis, have always been forward looking. Israel’s anthem, HaTikvah means “The Hope.”  

Our state of mind hopes for a better future and takes action to ensure it arrives. We are constantly on the move to improve, never succumbing to despair and frustration, no matter how difficult things may be at a given moment in time. Our national narrative and mindset are linked to the concept of hope. By contrast, the mindset of our Palestinian neighbors seems to be the exact opposite. 

Instead of embracing hope, the Palestinian leadership succumbs to despair; instead of fostering a forward looking national narrative and a positive agenda for their people, they promote a narrative of hatred towards Jews and an agenda of violence and destruction. It is that very mindset which they have been imparting on their children for generations. 

We are witnessing the bloody consequences of that sad reality today, with the vicious cycle of Palestinian violence against Israeli civilians that erupted nearly three weeks ago and claimed several lives. At the end of the day, hope will triumph, as it always has, and Israel will come out stronger and more resilient than ever. It is my hope that the Palestinian leadership will change their narrative so that our combined hopes and aspirations can meet and reconcile, rather than collide with their hatred. 

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

October 02/2015

Papal Visit in Philadelphia

This week, just a few weeks after my arrival to Philadelphia, I had the chance to feel the excitement and the special vibe of the city, as it was getting ready for the Papal visit. In advance of the visit,  it was the subject of much discussion and nervous anticipation.  Visit stories were all over the local and national news. Philadelphia was filled with signs greeting Pope Francis  and the enthusiastic visitors to the World Meeting of Families. The price for all the excitement was of course road blocks which made my commute to work, which usually is about a 10 minute drive, longer and longer every day as we gotcloser to the visit (40 minutes at the maximum).

As we anticipated, it was a great visit. The photos from the Papal mass on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, with hundreds of thousands of people, are unforgettable.  Before coming to Philadelphia, the Pope visited the ground zero memorial in New York, Francis selected Ground Zero as the place in the United States he wanted to have an interfaith gathering. Representatives from a diverse mix of world religions were represented at the service including Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and Jews. During the service Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of Judaism’s largest denomination, the Reform movement, said:

“To be able, on that spot, to have a service with interfaith leaders, and this Pope, to try and figure out: How do we craft a world where religion is the glue that holds our moral fiber together — not this  battering ram of ideology and ethnocentrism and hatred.” 

Pope Francis also added: 

"This place of death became a place of life, too, a place of saved lives, a hymn to the triumph of life over the prophets of
destruction and death, to goodness over evil, to reconciliation and unity over hatred and division." 

Pope Francis came to the United States bringing a message of hope, of unity among all peoples of the world, and of peace.

Israel has also experienced terror attacks since the day it was founded. We still believe in choosing life and peace over hatred and violence. During the last weeks, violence was spread across the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. In a city which is holy for Jews, Muslims and Christians, Israel sees a huge significance in maintaining the status quo, which allows people, all people, to pray. On the other side of Israel’s effort for peace and unity in the holy city, we can see the incitement, which comes from the Muslim Brotherhood, from Hamas, and – with the active participation of the Palestinian Authority. This incitement only brings more violence. It hurts the people who want to pray in the Temple Mount, Jews or Muslims. We should stop the incitement, stop the violence and let the peace return to the holiest city.


Shabbat Shalom,

Moran Birman, Deputy Consul General

September 18/2015

Violence in Jerusalem and Palestinian Incitement

If anyone was wondering what has been fueling the violence in the Temple Mount and in and around Jerusalem this week, the answer can be found in inciting rhetoric by Palestinian Authority president, Mahmud Abbas, which was widely broadcasted this week on Palestinian and Arab media.

"… We welcome every drop of blood spilled in Jerusalem. This is pure blood, clean blood, blood on its way to Allah. With the help of Allah, every shaheed will be in heaven, and every wounded will get his reward…Al-Aqsa is ours, and the (Church of the) Holy Sepulcher is ours, all ours. They have no right to desecrate them with their filthy feet, and we won't allow them to."

The Government of Israel is committed to maintaining the status quo on the Temple Mount, which protects the right of Muslims to pray in the mosque, ensure freedom of religion for all and access to all of Jerusalem's holy sites.

There are all too many on the Palestinian side who are actively attempting to violently change the status quo and undermine the delicate balance in Jerusalem. Radical Islamist rioters on the Temple Mount have deliberately desecrated, damaged and endangered a site holy to Muslims and to Jews, turning it into a battle field, using stones, Molotov cocktails and explosive devices. Such violence led to the murder of Alexander Levlovich, on the eve of the Jewish New Year this week. If kept unchecked, it will lead to other casualties.

Unfortunately, that violence is fueled and inspired from the very top, as illustrated by the words of President Abbas. It is our hope that such Palestinian incitement stop and that worshipers and tourists of all faiths will be able to safely visit and pray in Jerusalem. 

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

September 04/2015

Shalom Kita Alef- New school year starts in Israel

Throughout Israeli this week, one could hear “Shalom Kita Alef(Hello First grade)! As the nation marked the start of the 2016 school year and two million students and kindergarten children had their first day of school. The nearly 160,000 students who entered first grade took the first step in their 12 year journey of learning and discovery, and gaining the educational tool that will serve them the rest of their lives.

These children are our future. They are Israel's future. 

The educational system they are partaking in is more thanmerely a place that transfers knowledge, rather it is these children's gateway into Israeli society. 

This gateway should continue be an open door to all Israeli children, no matter what religious, ethnic or socioeconomic community they come from. Whether rich or poor, Jewish, Christian or Arab - all Israeli children should be provided with an equal opportunity to fulfill their inherent potential, to successfully integrate into the social fabric of the nation and participate in shaping its future. 

Keeping the gates of our educational system open for all children has been the secret of Israel's success throughout the years. It is the main reason that Israel is at the forefront of global technology; the Start-Up Nation. 

Providing a solid education with open gates for our children should be a top priority for any future seeking society. It is certainly the number one priority and challenge for Israel. 

I have no doubt that we will successfully meet this challengeface on, as we continue from year to year to hear our enthusiastic first graders shout with excitement, Shalom Kita Alef.

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

August 28/2015

International Scientific Conference Held in the Land of Innovation and Honey

Last week, Israel was host to over 400 young, emerging scientists from 71 countries and 15 Nobel Laureates, from around the world, who came together to participate in WorldScience Conference (WSCI).  In the words of Nobel Laureate Professor Roger Kronberg, chairman of WSCI’s Academic committee, conference provides “a platform for inspiration, dialogue and discussion between promising young talents and the attending Nobel Laureates and eminent scientists” in areas ranging from physics, chemistry, life sciences and math.

Meeting inspirational Israeli researchers, working on a scientific poster in multi-national groups and presenting to Nobel laureates, watching multicultural presentations from all over the world - these are only part of the things theparticipants experienced at the WSCI.

Alongside the activities for the young scientists, the WSCI included special sessions that brought together the Nobel laureates and eminent members of the academia together with leading figures of the industry from Israel and abroad, discussing mutual connections between fundamental science and its applications.

The WSCI in Israel was designed to emphasize the strengths and advantages of the "Israeli spirit” that applies creativity and groundbreaking thinking to successfully combine basic and applied science.

The initiative to hold this unique international event in Israel goes hand-in-hand with Israel's leading global role in areas of science and it’s commitment to channel its innovative energy towards making the world a better place. 

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

August 21/2015

Saying Goodbye and Hello

This week a dear friend and colleague, that I had the distinct pleasure of working with for the past three years, is returning to Israel upon termination of his diplomatic posting as Deputy Consul General Of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic region. I feel extremely fortunate to have had a such a great partner for our work at the Consulate. Elad Strohmayer is professional, knowledgeable, experienced and above all - staunchly committed to fostering Israel's relations with the U.S.

For the past three years, Elad carried out Israel’s mission tirelessly and as I and all of you can attest, with a great deal of talent, devotion and passion. Elad is a true Mensch and a dear friend. For his partnership, friendship and invaluable work here at the Consulate, I deeply thank Elad, and wish him and his husband, Oren, a bright and sunny future as they return home to Israel.

I am equally delighted to welcome the incoming Deputy Consul General, Moran Birman, and his wife, Dana, who arrived at Philadelphia this week. I am confident that Moran, a smart and gifted diplomat with a unique skill set and an engaging personality, will be highly successful in carrying out our core mission - fostering deep and meaningful relations between Israel and the United States.

As we depart from Elad and welcome Moran, I look forward to continue working with all of you to jointly fulfill the highly important mission. 

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

August 14/2015

Israel’s committed to a safer and better world - Our Love and Care for Flood Victims of Myanmar 

For all the right reasons, Israel’s diplomatic efforts at this critical point in time are focused on preventing Iran from embarking on a nuclear path that ends with a bomb, a path clearly paved in the agreement signed with Iran last month. These efforts reflect Israel’s deep commitment to making the world a safer and better place. A crucial aspect of making the world safer is preventing dangerous actors on the world stage, like Iran, from putting the world in danger through their acts of aggression.

A key aspect of Israel’s commitment to making the world better is lending a helping hand to countries and communities in need, in the face of natural or manmade disasters. A majority of the time these activities occur behind the scenes and go unnoticed by the general public. An example of such a disaster that by and large went unnoticed is the severe flooding that occurred this week in the country of Myanmar, devastating many villages and impacting countless people. It didn’t go unnoticed in Israel as we provided assistance and emergency aid to the floods many victims. Trucks were loaded with food, medicines, and mosquito nets as a robust Israeli delegation headed to the hard hit Thayarwaddy delta area. Israel plans to continue the work of helping the flood victims, including supplying additional resources, including much needed water purification tablets. Local residents and the Myanmar government received the Israeli assistance with open arms and a great deal of appreciation. This is one of the many regions in need where Israel is engaged and living up to its commitment to make the world safer place for all of us.

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

August 07/2015

Playing for Peace

This week I had the pleasure of participating in an amazing event in Philadelphia.  It was an event that I believe gives us all hope for a possible co-existence in the Middle East.  A group of 6 Israeli teenagers came to play tennis with American teens.  That sounds exciting, right?  Well, the story is much more than that.  The Israeli teenagers were compiled of 3 Jewish teens and 3 Arab teens.  They came here through the Israel Tennis Center Foundation, an organization helping to build bridges in Israel between communities and provide recreational activities for teenagers and children from underprivileged areas.  Here, in Philadelphia, they play tennis, not with Jewish teenagers, but with teenagers from the Legacy Center, an organization that serves all ethnic groups.  Last month the Israelis hosted the Americans in Israel, and now the Israelis are hosted here.

This is a true example that if engaged in a positive activity, you can help build bridges for understanding and peace.  On the T-shirts the players wore it was written: “Playing for Peace.”  They found a common language despite many disagreements and cultural gaps.  These teenagers are our future.

I wanted to share this is because of the ongoing debate regarding the Iranian Nuclear Deal.  Many things have been written and said about the deal.  I want to refer to one of the many reasons I oppose this deal.  While the teenagers playing tennis for co-existence here in Philadelphia are the future, Iran’s regime and this nuclear deal are the past.  With this deal we give Iran the financial means to continue to sponsor terrorist organizations, and spread fear and instability in our region.  Iran will continue on the opposite path of what we stand for: freedom and liberty.

This has been a profound week: the more time goes by, more and more people, including our elected officials, oppose the nuclear deal with Iran.  The more we read and the more we hear differing opinions, and the more that details of the agreement come to our attention, it becomes clear that this is a bad deal.  More and more leaders, Democrats and Republicans, are speaking out against this deal.  It’s not a political issue.  It’s not a partisan issue.  Even in Israel, the head of the opposition, Yitzhak Hertzog, said that on this issue he is backing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

I don’t trust Iran.  I don’t trust a country that helps export terrorism and doesn’t respect basic human rights.  I urge you to read what New York Senator Chuck Schumer (D) had to say about the deal. Opposing this deal is a must if we want to strengthen the moderate forces in the Middle East.  Opposing this deal is a must so Israeli Arabs and Jews can continue to play tennis together, and maybe one day it will be possible with other nations in the Middle East.  Giving Iran a prize like they are being given now makes this day farther and farther away for us.

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Elad Strohmayer
Deputy Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

July 31/2015

No Place for Hate Crimes in Israel

 Every society has its negative elements, miscreants who seek to undermine its fundamental values and pollute it with their hateful agendas. Such criminal elements belong behind bars but unfortunately they will succeed, on occasion, in rearing up their ugly heads and spreading mayhem and destruction. No society, even the most democratic and enlightened, is free of such “bad weeds.” Israel is no exception.

This week we witnessed two hideous attacks in Israel. The first was an arson attack on a Palestinian family in which an 18-month old toddler was murdered. His parents and four-year old brother were seriously injured. There is evidence pointing to the attack having been carried out by Israeli extremists. The second was a stabbing spree at the Gay Pride parade in Jerusalem that injured six people, two of them seriously, carried out by an ultra-Orthodox man with an existing criminal record.

There are no other words to describe these attacks other than despicable acts of terror. They shocked the Israeli public and were condemned unequivocally by public figures from across the political spectrum. The murderous attack against the Palestinian family was condemned as well by the Yesha Council, the umbrella organization of municipal councils of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.

Such attacks are an assault on all who cherish human dignity. They are, in effect, an attack on Israel as a democratic society. In the words of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, released immediately after the attack on the Dawabsha family: "This is an act of terrorism in every respect. The State of Israel takes a strong line against terrorism regardless of who the perpetrators are… On behalf of the citizens of Israel, I would like to share in the sorrow of the family of Ali Dawabsha and wish a quick recovery to the family members who were injured." Similarly, in response to the attack at the Gay Pride parade, he declared: “A despicable hate crime was committed this evening in Jerusalem. In Israel everyone, including the gay community, has the right to live in peace, and we will defend that right. I welcome the Israeli religious leadership’s condemnation of this terrible crime, and I call on all those in positions of leadership to denounce this contemptible act.”

Our hearts and minds today are with the grieving Dawabsha family and with those injured at the parade attack in Jerusalem. We wish them healing and a speedy recovery. 

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

July 24/2015

A License to Nuke

It has been two weeks since the signing of the agreement with Iran and we all have had an opportunity to read it closely. The issue at hand is too critical and serious to be debated solely through slogans and sound bites; one should read the agreement and absorb its details in order to thoughtfully discuss it, whether one supports it or opposes it.

We have read it. Carefully. Going over the details of the agreement only reinforced our notion that this agreement spells disaster. It is a notion no longer. Now we are convinced. Allow me to provide some examples that illustrate three crucial points:

First, the agreement is not enforceable – the critical leverage on Iran that allows effective enforcement of this deal is the threat of reactivation of sanctions, which has been referred to as the “Snap Back” mechanism. The specifics of that mechanism are available in the text of the agreement. There one finds that Iran is an equal partner in the decision making process, determining in the end if it violated the agreement. The most incongruous part of the agreement – should “Snap Back” sanctions be reintroduced, Iran has the right to renege and not be obligated by it, rendering the whole “Snap Back” mechanism irrelevant and entirely ineffective.

Secondly, the agreement is not verifiable – it is important to understand that a huge part of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, particularly in the area of enrichment, were attained over the years while it was under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supervision, in a clandestine manner, in several undeclared sites. Given that -even the strongest most stringent forms of IAEA inspections have inherent limitations. One can then understand how critically important it is that IAEA inspectors attain immediate access to any declared or suspected site in Iran. Indefensibly, that is clearly not the case in the agreement at hand, which stipulates bureaucratic and therefore ineffective processes for IAEA inspectors to physically inspect suspected and military sites. That is - if Iran adheres to the agreement. Alternatively, it can choose to go the North Korean route and simply block inspectors altogether.

Finally, the agreement lacks balance, Iran was on the receiving end of concession after concession and  it really only gave back a promise that it will adhere to the agreement for a few years until it naturally expires, and a promise to refrain from abusing its vast nuclear infrastructure after that expiration date for military use. Based on past promises that Iran has made – I wouldn’t put my money on them keeping this one either.

The devil is in the details, they say, and this agreement fails that test. It is flawed fundamentally and rotten from its very core. It is the clear antithesis of its intended goals - the dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. This agreement paves the way for Iran to be a legitimate military nuclear power on the world stage in a mere decade. It essentially gives Iran a license to nuke.

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

July 17/2015

The World Just Became Way More Dangerous

This week the world became a much more dangerous place, as world powers signed a nuclear deal with Iran that practically paves Iran’s way to becoming a military nuclear power.

The intent of a nuclear agreement with Iran was meant to dismantle its nuclear infrastructure and maintain cohesive international pressure until it became certain that Iran will never develop a military nuclear capability.

The agreement announced this week does the exact opposite. The new agreement effectively dismantles the sanctions regime against Iran, which took years to put together, while leaving Iran’s existing nuclear infrastructure intact.

True. There are some temporary and limited restrictions on what Iran can do with that infrastructure for the duration of the agreement. If past behavior is any indicator of future behavior, Iran will ignore the temporary and limited restrictions. Iran previously ignored international limitations placed upon it in a series of Security Council resolutions, what makes the international community believe that Iran will honor its latest commitments?  

Even if Iran does honor the agreement, the stipulations of the agreement will reach their expiration date a mere 10 years from now, allowing Iran at that point to legitimately go ahead and spin centrifuges and reach nuclear capability. Given that Iran’s vast existing nuclear infrastructure will not be physically dismantled under the terms of the agreement intact, Iran is allowed to keep its nuclear capabilities resting on a shelf for future use. It would be like switching off a light switch, only to be able to turn it right back on at a more convenient time.  . Does the international community truly believe that Iran will not turn the switch back on when the agreement expires? That’s right – they will switch it all back on again and cruise leisurely towards a bomb.

In the meantime Iran will be rewarded with hundreds of millions of dollars is sanctions relief. That money will likely flow to the Shiite militias in Iraq, the Assad regime in Syria, the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Palestinian terror groups and a bunch of other bad actors in the region and across the globe whose sole business is to undermine regional and global stability by conducting terrorism.

I am sorry I am not a bearer of positive news this week, but the truth has to be said and it must be said clearly - the agreement signed with Iran this week is nothing short of a terrible historical mistake. If adopted, it is destined to equip Iran with a nuclear weapon, spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East and place the entire world in great danger. 

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

July 10/2015

 One Year since Operation Protective Edge

Sixty Seven IDF soldiers and six civilians were killed last summer during Operation Protective Edge in Gaza. They gave their lives for the State of Israel. The 67 soldiers who fell and left behind 131 bereaved parents, 11 widows, 36 orphans, 187 bereaved brothers and sisters and a total of over 350 grieving family members, whose wounded soles will never be healed and for whom the immense void created in their lives will never be filled.

This week Israel remembered and honored it’s fallen in a state ceremony held on Mount Herzel, commemorating one year to the operation protective Edge, which began a year ago on July 7th. It has been a year of pain and longing. In the words of Israel’s Prime Minister as he addressed the bereaved families “'I'm feeling great pain in my heart, but also great pride'. I know well that there is no end to your grief, but alongside this you have the knowledge that your sons' bravery saved many lives in Israel."

“This was a moral, legitimate and appropriate campaign of a sovereign country seeking to protect its civilian population. In the weeks prior to the campaign, Israeli towns and cities were subject to daily barrages of rockets from Gaza, assault tunnels were dug under kindergartens and public gathering venues, with the sole purpose of reeking death and destruction” said President Rivlin. 

The campaign in Gaza took Fifty days, during which most of Israel’s population was under attack. A year has passed, but for many the campaign has not ended. For those people, the end of the military operation was just the starting point of a no less challenging, hard, personal never ending battle. It is a battle they will have to fight for the rest of their lives; A daunting battle with no cease fires, and in which no medals are presented.

Unlike our enemies who sanctify death and are consumed with hatred, we sanctify life. Those killed in operation Protective Edge are a link in the chain of heroism of all those brave men and women who fought and gave their lives so that all of us can live proudly in our country, in Israel.  

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

July 02/2015

Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof

Many of you recognize this verse, from the book of Leviticus. It is inscribed on the Liberty Bell which, upon ringing proudly in Philadelphia in the year 1776, proclaimed the independence and liberty of this great nation. Sixty-seven years ago, on May 14, 1948, on a Saturday afternoon, Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion, proclaimed Israel’s independence, reciting Israel’s Declaration of Independence, which stipulates that, “…the State of Israel will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel.”

It is by no mistake that those principles of freedom, liberty, justice and peace -inscribed on the Liberty Bell and stated in Israel’s Declaration of Independence - are the core fundamental values of both of our countries. It is not incidental that those fundamental values, articulated so clearly by our biblical prophets, form the bedrock of the strong alliance between Israel and the United States. With those shared values at the foundation of our special relations, it should come as no surprise that the United States was the first nation to recognize the State of Israel, merely 11 minutes after David Ben Gurion declared Israel’s independence, and it should come as no surprise that Israel and the United States are closest allies. After all, it is an alliance rooted in values founded in the book that binds us all together.

Nearly 150 years prior to the ringing of the Liberty Bell, William Bradford stepped off of the Mayflower in the year 1620, and quoted the words of Jeremiah: “Come let us declare in Zion the word of G-d.” How prophetically accurate he was.

Let us look back with pride at the miraculous birth of both of our nations. Let us uphold the values underscoring our democracies, dating back to biblical times and inscribed in our foundational documents. Let us rejoice in the modern revival of those values of freedom and liberty - as we celebrate the Independence Day of this great nation, the United States of America.  

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

June 26/2015

Bad Deal Arising

At the end of this month a highly concerning nuclear deal is expected to be signed with Iran.

Israel's position on Iran's nuclear program stems from a simple motivation: to prevent the most dangerous regime on earth from gaining access to the most dangerous weapon on earth. Over the years Iran has earned, fair and square, its reputation as the most brutal and aggressive regime out there. Should anyone need a reminder to some of Iran's action, it is amply provided in the US State Department’s recently published overview on global terrorism in which, Iran's aggressive conduct and support of terrorism in over 30 countries globally is highlighted and described in disturbing detail.

The only way to prevent Iran from continuing on its  path of aggression is to remove either the will or the way, preferably both, that motivates and enables it's destructive behavior.  

What the agreement does is the exact opposite. This deal empowers Iran's will to continue its aggressive path destabilizing the region and the world through its support of the most vicious terrorist organizations. As well as practically paving the way for Iran to eventually legitimately join the club of nuclear states. 

The reported agreement demands nearly nothing substantial from Iran with respect to its current nuclear program and infrastructure; it demands absolutely nothing of Iran with respect to its missile program which is being designed and developed with the sole purpose of carrying a future nuclear payload; and it demands nothing of Iran with respect to its current hostile behavior all over the world, which includes, but is not limited to overt calls for the destruction of the State of Israel. 

The emerging deal with Iran is a very bad one. It should not be signed.

Rather, the negotiating powers must stop and reset negotiations under a different set of terms and conditions.  One that will lead towards a good deal, ensuring Iran will never be able to develop a nuclear weapon. 

That must be the goal and outcome of negotiations. It is still not too late to get there. We should settle for nothing less. 

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region