American Jews are concerned about ideological and political polarization in Israel. They are also concerned about violence and the death toll in the Arab sector, hostilities initiated by settlers, and the seriousness of the Iranian threat.
The Conference of Presidents provides a unifying platform for community leaders of differing backgrounds, ideologies, and denominations within Judaism to have a consensual voice on specific issues affecting Israel and Jewish communities across the United States.
On the home front, members of the delegation were worried about the escalating spike in antisemitism and anti-Israel feelings that are often expressed with extreme acts of violence.
Herzog was asked what American Jews could do to convince their neighbors to view the situation between Israel and Hamas differently.
Herzog did not have a ready solution and could only point out that the problem was a worldwide phenomenon. It would not exist at its present level, he opined, if more efforts were invested in education. The inference was that negative attitudes are primarily based on ignorance and brainwashing.
Members of the delegation were disturbed by what they had read and heard about violence in Israel’s Arab sector, and wanted to know how they could assist.
Although the meeting lasted for just over half an hour, quite a lot of ground was covered in terms of particular issues that bothered individual members of the delegation, such as gender equality.
Herzog said he was in favor of more women running in the upcoming Knesset elections, adding that women play significant roles in the development of communities across the country.
The meeting might have gone on longer, but another delegation, the International Committee for the Preservation of Har Hazeitim (Mount of Olives), was already waiting outside.
Although Diaspora delegations did come to Israel during the Israel-Hamas War, they were few in number and sparse in participants. Now that the war is over, there is a glut of visits by delegations, including many philanthropists who are contributing to numerous rehabilitation projects.