September 24, 2009 / 6 Tishrei 5770

Thursday 24/9: Demonstration of Jewish and non-Jewish activists against the Iranian regime at UN Headquarters

Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Natan Sharansky, in conference call with Jewish Agency emissaries to Hillel: "your public advocacy work is crucial during this period of propaganda attacks against Israel"

Following Wednesday's speech at the UN General Assembly of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a large demonstration took place on Thursday September 24th in front of the UN headquarters in New York, organized by a coalition of Jewish groups. Among the organizers are: UJA- Federation of New York, ADL,JCRC and groups working in coordination with the Jewish Agency for Israel and the World Zionist Organization such as student groups, Zionist youth movements, graduates of Jewish day schools and additional activists.

Protesting against the Iranian leader were also non-Jewish organizations and Iranian opposition groups among them Iranian expatriates, Afro-American women's organizations, Hispanic women's organizations, American teachers' organizations, labor unions and additional bodies working for human rights. The demonstration stressed Iran's Holocaust denial, the threat Iran poses to world peace, the subjugation of its citizens, non-democratic elections and more.

On Tuesday, Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky held a conference call with 19 Jewish Agency shlichim (emissaries) who work with Hillel on North American campuses. The emissaries reported to the Jewish Agency Chairman that they are currently dealing with very serious anti-Israeli and antisemitic propaganda and that public advocacy for the Jewish People and the State of Israel is the biggest challenge they face on the campuses.

Sharansky said that he places great importance on the emissaries' public advocacy activity. "Especially now, when there is a propaganda battle against Israel and when a Holocaust denier calls in the United Nations for the destruction of the State of Israel, the importance of public advocacy efforts of Jewish Agency emissaries is very clear. The emissaries contribute greatly to the public advocacy activities and strengthen the connection between Jewish communities around the world and the State of Israel. As soldiers on the front lines of the public advocacy battle, their efforts demonstrate the value of mutual responsibility of the Jewish People".