Between the 10th and the 13th of June, B’nai B’rith Europe attended the 2018 Global Forum of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), which took place for the first time in Jerusalem.

As the Global Forum is usually held in Washington D.C., USA, the AJC Executive Committee decided to organise the event in Jerusalem to celebrate the 70 years of Israel, making history. More than 2,400 advocates from more than 50 countries were gathered.  

Numerous officials were present at the event. Among others, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahou welcomed the public and stressed Jerusalem as the eternal capital of the Jewish people. Chancellor of Austria Sebastian Kurz recognised for the first time the responsibility of the Austrian state towards the Jewish people regarding the Holocaust. Finally, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, who currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, stated the importance of the fight against antisemitism before the public.

Various personalities were honoured by AJC in a series of presentations entitled “Faces of Israel” and “Remembering heroic friends of Israel”. Ambassadors and official representatives were praised, but also doctors, school directors and community leaders, who told motivational and moving stories about an inclusive and open-minded Israeli society. 

Morale Courage Awards were also given to inspirational actors, among others an Israeli hospital welcoming Syrian refugees and a Mumbai Christian woman who risked her life to save a young Jewish boy during a terrorist attack. 

At the end of the Global Forum, the B’nai B’rith Europe representative had the opportunity to attend a private meeting with AJC CEO David Harris. It was a privileged moment to exchange on the future of the relations between the European and the American Jewish community. As Phil Levine, an Oleh in 1948, concluded “It is important to look after each other”.