Feb 27/2015

My Friend Diego and Palestinian Terrorism

Diego Ladowski was a colleague of mine. An accomplished individual, 29 years of age, he had joined Israel's diplomatic service a mere ten years after immigrating to Israel from Argentina, where he had been born and raised.

Diego was one of the most amicable and caring people you could ever hope to meet. He was modest, charming, sensitive, and smart, and healways looked to extend a helping hand to anyone in need.

On July 31st, 2002, my friend Diego was on his way to Hebrew University in Jerusalem to submit his last papers for a Master’s Degree in Political Science. He lost his life on that fatal day, in a terror attack that claimed the lives of nine people like him who had stopped for coffee or a bite to eat at the university cafeteria.

This week, a Federal jury inNew York found the Palestinian Authority liable for supporting that hideous terrorist attack, along with five others that took place in Israel between the years 2001-2004.

I miss my friend Diego a great deal. The pain of his loss strengthens my desire for a peace that would prevent future losses. For peace to be possible though, the Palestinian Authority must demonstrate a true commitment to a negotiated agreement and it must distance itself from terrorism.

Unfortunately, what we are witnessing today is the exact opposite. Instead of negotiating peace with Israel, the PA is walking away from talks and endangering regional stability by taking hypocritical, dangerous measures such as appealing to the International Criminal Court. Instead of distancing itself from terrorism, it distances us all from peace by embracing terrorism, including its embrace of Hamas.

It is incumbent upon the international community to continue punishing those who support terrorism, as did the Federal court in New York, and support those states committed to fighting it. 

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

Feb 20/2015

Challenges Facing New IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot

This week Major General Gadi Eizenkot officially assumed the role of Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, replacing Bennie Gantz in that capacity.

Major General Eizenkot will lead Israel's military in an exceptionally challenging period. One in which an unraveling Middle East, thrust into a prolonged dynamic period of instability and uncertainty, continues to produce new threats and challenges for Israel.

Not a year goes by when the Middle East hasn’t surprised us with a dramatic, unexpected turn of events, with clear and immediate military implications.

Who among us foresaw the Arab spring that occurred a mere four years ago, and the subsequent chain of dramatic events that followed it: the rise and almost immediate fall of the Muslim brotherhood as a political power, the rise and quick spread of global jihadist elements, in particular ISIS, and the fragmentation and in some cases implosion of Arab nation states like Syria and Yemen.

One therefore would be wise to exercise a degree of caution and even a greater degree of humility when attempting to predict what the future holds in that chaotic region, and one should be prepared to continue to be surprised by major, unforeseen developments.

In order for any military to cope with such a dynamic reality, it must be agile, flexible and adaptive to a rapidly changing theatre of threats.

The IDF meets all of those standards, due primarily to two critical assets: superb, professional commanders such as Major General Eizenkot and the dedicated soldiers of the IDF. Major General Eizenkot exemplifies our best leaders; commanders who lead by example, who inspire and motivate those who serve under their command. No less important are the IDF soldiers who carry out their service with a true sense of mission and view their service in the IDF not merely as an obligation but as a privilege. They demonstrate that the IDF is not merely another military which has people serving in it, but a military set on serving the people. A military which not only provides Israeli society with physical protection, but also reflects and shapes the contours of that society by providing an inclusive platform where every individual is invited to contribute, on an equal basis. 

I am certain that under the command of Chief of Staff Eizenkot, the IDF will continue successfully meeting the military challenges ahead, as well as strengthening and uniting Israel’s society. 

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

Feb 13/2015

One Community, BeYachad (Together)

Last Sunday, I had the honor to participate in the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Super Sunday. I was overwhelmed by the number of volunteers that took part in this event, making phone calls to help build a stronger community to the benefit of us all.

It made me think about the sense of BeYachad, the Hebrew word for Together. We are together, one community, diverse, and geographically spread out. We think differently from one another and have numerous organizations that represent this diversity and pluralistic thought. With that being said, what still unites us as a community is this BeYachad feeling. We all work together for the same greater cause, to make our community better and to ensure the continuation and strength of the Jewish Community worldwide, and of course in Israel.

In these days it’s not easy. When we see the rise of anti-Semitism in the world, especially in Europe, we appreciate better what we have here. We come together as a community to show solidarity to those in needs, whether by feeding the poor in a small town in Pennsylvania, or by going on a solidarity mission to France with the JFNA or JAFI in support of the French Jews.

For me, as an Israeli, it’s always heartwarming to see how important Israel is to this community; as reflected in how much communal work that is done in and by this community is targeted towards Israel. We partner with many organizations throughout our region to strengthen the relations with Israel: either through Israel Advocacy workshops for college students held in Ohio and Pennsylvania or by promoting Israeli culture, economic development, VIP visits and speakers from Israel and so much more.

We are part of this community, throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and we are honored to keep partnering with you BeYachad, together. My Super Sunday experience helped open my eyes to how lucky we are to have friends like you in our region.

I’m travelling to Israel this weekend and will carry with me the solidarity and friendship you demonstrate to my country. I promise upon coming back to bring more friendship and solidarity from Israel to you. I’ll do it because this is why we have a consulate here: to keep engaging with this beautiful and diverse community as equals, Israeli and American Jews.

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

Feb 6/2015

Understanding the Importance of Netanyahu’s Iran Stance

Few things are more important to Israel than its special relationship with the United States. It is one based on shared values regarding freedom, democracy and human dignity. 

These shared values bind us together as individuals and societies and, by their very nature, transcend administrations, Congresses, prime ministers and coalition governments.

It is a relationship that manifests itself in a tremendous amount of mutual respect and in broad, bipartisan support toward the Jewish state.

Israel’s relationship with the American people is one we do not take for granted. As in all true relationships, openness and a frank exchange of concerns are the mark of a deep and abiding friendship.

Therefore, despite all the noise and speculation surrounding the circumstances of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming appearance before Congress, we must not lose sight of the substantive issue that he intends to address: preventing the most dangerous regime in the world from obtaining the most dangerous weapons in the world.

Please read more of Consul General Yaron Sideman's Sidenote in the following link, his op-ed that was published at the Jewish Exponent earlier this week.

http://jewishexponent.com/opinion/2015/02/understanding-the-import-of-netanyahu-s-iran-stance

Shabbat Shalom,

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region