Board of Deputies and AJC Europe host Diplomatic Forum, hold joint meetings

The Board of Deputies and AJC Europe – the European office of the American Jewish Committee – hosted the second Diplomatic Forum in Knightsbridge yesterday evening bringing together diplomats from 30 countries, stakeholders and community members to probe the issue of minorities in Europe.

The guests heard from a panel featuring author and lecturer David Hirsh, Foreign Editor of the Jewish Chronicle Michael Daventry, Co-Head of the Security and Extremism Unit at Policy Exchange Hannah Stuart and Director of AJC Europe Simone Rodan-Benzaquen, who was the moderator. Issues discussed included Brexit, the rise of populism, the far left and right, opportunities and challenges posed by the current state of affairs. AJC Executive Director David Harris addressed attendees at the end of the formal programme and spoke of the core principles that inform AJC’s advocacy: liberty and pluralism.

Following the forum, guests had the chance to tour the onsite Czech Torah Scrolls Museum and enjoy a reception which was addressed by Board of Deputies President Jonathan Arkush.

In London, AJC and Board of Deputies colleagues held a series of meetings at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including with Minister of State for the UN Lord Ahmad, Head of the Near East Department Dr Martin Longden and Director of the Diplomatic Academy Jon Benjamin. The joint delegation also met with the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus HE Euripides L Evriviades and had a working lunch with the Israeli Deputy Ambassador Sharon Bar-Li.

Last October AJC and the Board of Deputies signed an association agreement and have since worked on several joint initiatives. On November 8, AJC’s Brussels-based Transatlantic Institute and the Board of Deputies will run an event in the European Parliament to mark the centenary of the Balfour Declaration.