Israel May 2022 Blog

Today our group had a special visit at the Menahem Begin Center where we had a chance to learn more about the legacy of one of Israel’s most influential Prime Ministers.

We also had a private meeting with Jewish hero Natan Sharansky who spoke with us about the threat of anti-semitism.  As he said, the BDS and other attempts to weaken Israel will not succeed because Israel is strong.  They do, however, pose a threat to the connection of Jews not just to Israel, but to Judaism and the Jewish people.  He also offered a typically brilliant analysis of the war in Ukraine and of Putin and his goals.  He advocated for a strong stance by the west and by Israel in opposing Putin’s expansionist goals, explaining, “Putin is not like the ayatollahs of Iran who want to rule in the next world.  He wants to rule in this world.” 

Ambassador Ron Dermer also met with us this morning and joined us for lunch.  He focused on the challenge of Iran to Israel’s security and detailed his concerns about the current negotiations with Iran. 

I will share more about their comments at services after I return, on Saturday, May 21.

One thing that Dermer said, which is appropriate to note, as we have been here for Yom HaAtzmaut and Yom HaZikaron is that Israel and Israelis experience things together in a way that other countries do not.

On that note, I wish everyone a Shabbat shalom from the Holy City of Jerusalem. 

Natan Sharansky meets with cbt delegation.