In a letter about the recent ZRC mission to Azerbaijan Rabbi Weinblatt was asked to submit to Vice President Vance to provide some background prior to his trip to the region, Rabbi Weinblatt wrote:

"...Wherever we went, and whoever we met, shared a similar message: the sincere desire to use its unique geopolitical position and natural resources as an asset and force for regional stabilization and peace.  Although juxtaposed between Iran and Russia and with a majority Muslim population, they reject Muslim extremism and wish to be unequivocally aligned with the United States and the western world. 

On more than one occasion we heard from government officials that they do not like to use the term “tolerant” for it implies putting up with something one does not like.  Instead, they prefer to speak of “acceptance of diversity”.  This attitude was validated by our visit with members and leaders of the Jewish community.  We witnessed first-hand a Jewish community in a majority Muslim country that felt safe, and that was not living in fear of antisemitism.  We had a working dinner with Israel’s Ambassador Ronen Krausz who also shared with us his impressions and the positive interactions he has had with the people and government of Azerbaijan.  The positive ties and relationship with Israel, coupled with the presence of a strong and confident Jewish community is a source of great pride to the Azeris..."

A manifestation of the positive relations the ZRC delegation witnessed, Israel and Azerbaijan just signed an agreement in Jerusalem about AI.  To read about this, please click here.

To see and hear prospects for the US negotiations with Iran, as well as an analysis of the situation in Gaza and Israel’s standing in the region, click below to hear Jonathan Conricus webinar for the ZRC. He makes the point that there is a dichotomy between Israel’s military achievements and its diplomatic standing. Hear his response to the question if Steve Witkoff can be trusted and his prognosis for why Israel’s PR isn’t better.  

You may have heard that Israel is not allowing Doctors without Borders to operate in Gaza. Read below to understand why it prohibits individuals who sympathize and are associated with Hamas and who call for the elimination of Israel from providing “medical care” in Gaza.  

How can Israel feel safe as long as Hamas is embedded in Gaza? The IDF has seen repeatedly that Hamas turns ambulances into weapons and everyday civilian life into a battleground. Ambulances, hospitals, schools, residential buildings and mosques have all become weapons of hate and indoctrination.

With no Israelis currently in captivity, Israel must take a long and serious look at implementing laws and policies to remove kidnapping as a strategic weapon from our enemies’ hands. Until the late 1970s, Israel treated kidnappings as a threat and refused to negotiate with terrorist organizations. Rather, Israel was admired for bold military operations in response to terrorism.

As American and Iranian officials prepare to meet for nuclear talks, there is nearly total agreement in Israel that positive results are unlikely.  Netanyahu is on the record as saying to Witkoff that Iran has proven time and again that its promises cannot be trusted.  

In response to the 12 day war with Iran in June, Director-General of the Tourism Ministry, Michael Izhakov, announced on Monday that Israel’s plan to evacuate approximately 42,000 tourists amid the possibility of an Iranian attack is ready. There are now internal procedures in place designed to provide certainty and reassurance to tourists in the event of an airspace closure.

Following growing concern over Momdani's recent rollback of former mayor Adams' protections, two of New York’s leading business groups have joined forces to launch a new alliance aimed at protecting Jewish and Israeli companies from what organizers describe as politically driven economic discrimination

‘Zionist Salons’ has been launched to engage disillusioned young Jews on Israel and Zionism. The program trains participants to create spaces with peers where they can openly discuss their thoughts — and complaints — about Israel without fearing judgment

Trump is seeking $1 Billion ‘in damages’ from Harvard, following media reports that he had backtracked on demands for a $200 million payment

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Click below to watch a Jewish group perform at Sydney’s Shir Project during a nationally televised Australia Day concert, blending an Israeli peace song with the unofficial anthem 'I Am Australian'

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