CANADIAN JEWISH LEADERS DEPART ON SOLIDARITY MISSION TO ISRAEL

Meetings with government leaders and visits to Israeli communities in distress

July 13, 2001

For Immediate Release

Toronto, July 13, 2001… On July 15, 2001, 45 leaders of the Jewish community will depart on a solidarity mission to Israel arranged by B’nai Brith Canada’s Institute for International Affairs. Led by recently-installed President Rochelle Wilner and Executive Vice President Frank Dimant, this mission is the largest contingent from a single Canadian Jewish organization to visit Israel since the current crisis began.

During the five day mission, delegates will meet with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, former Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu and several government ministers to discuss pressing security, political and humanitarian issues. They will visit communities throughout Israel and the territories that have been hardest hit by the recent violence. The program will include an informal meeting with teenagers from Tekoa who are struggling to come to terms with the recent brutal murder and mutilation of their 13 year-old school friends, as well as discussions with municipal leaders such as the Mayor of Netanya, the coastal city struggling to overcome the bitter aftermath of a wave of terrorist suicide bombings.

The delegation will also meet with Michael Bell, Canada’s Ambassador to Israel, to discuss Canadian policy in the Middle East and the role of Canadian diplomatic representatives in the area.

The delegation reflect a range of interests and viewpoints in the Canadian Jewish community, and includes both lay and rabbinical leadership, academics, young professionals, and representatives from the media, business world and the legal profession.

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B’nai Brith has been active since 1875 as the country’s senior advocacy and volunteer agency. Its Institute for International Affairs was established to monitor human rights issues worldwide.

For further details or comment contact:
Frank Dimant in Israel at 011 972 53 365402.
Local callers please dial 053 365402.