Parliamentarians from around the world, including the opposition foreign minister of Venezuela, the Population Minister of Estonia, a Foreign Affairs committee member from Macedonia, an outgoing Minister of Defense from Romania, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Croatia, and the President-elect of Guatemala, will gather next week on the December 8-10 at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Jerusalem, for a conference of the Israel Allies Foundation.
Founded in 2007, The Israel Allies Foundation is dedicated to promoting communication between parliamentarians and legislators around the world who share the belief that the State of Israel has the right to exist in peace within secure borders. Today, the IAF coordinates the activities of 40 Israel Allies Caucuses around the world.
Many of these parliament members serve as Chairman of the Israel Allies Caucuses in their home countries, advancing pro-Israel legislation. Israel Allies Caucuses worldwide focus on legislation against anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism and the de-legitimization of Israel. This year, the conference will focus on the response to the EU court’s demand that Jewish products from the Golan Heights, eastern Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria be labeled, while products from the same regions made by non-Jews are not compelled to do the same.
The honorable visitors are scheduled to meet with Minister of Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan, MKs Benny Gantz, Gidon Saar, and Yair Lapid, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, and Samaria Regional Council Head Yossi Dagan.
On Sunday, the delegates will tour Samaria and visit the Barkan Industrial Park, where they will meet with family members of terror victims who had been killed there more than a year ago.
The parliament members will sign a declaration they will present to Minister Erdan, stating: “Never again shall the nations stand silent in the face of boycotts against the Jewish people.”
Leah and Simcha Goldin will also be addressing the delegation, in attempt to garner international support for their efforts to rescue their son’s remains from the hands of Hamas.
The touring will conclude in the Psagot Winery, highlighting how the recent EU judgment mandating the labeling of wines produced in Psagot will not deter these parliamentarians from supporting Israel’s right to exist in their native homeland.
The conference delegates include:
President-elect of Guatemala Alejandro Giammattei who will begin his term January 1, 2020.
Venezuelan opposition Minister of Foreign Affairs Julio Borges.
MP Gabriel Les, outgoing Romanian Minister of Defense.
Estonian Minister of Population Rinna Solman.
MP Joel Voordewind from the Netherlands, who was first to oppose the EU’s recent labeling law against Jewish products.
Representative Alan Clemmons from South Carolina, who authored the first anti-BDS legislation in the United States and was active in getting it passed in 28 states.
Member of the European Parliament Bert-Jan Ruissen.
Assembly Member Darren Millar from Whales.
Congressman Waldo Wolff from Argentina, who is Vice-President of the International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians.
Also participating are Parliament members from Finland, Sweden, Colombia, Slovakia, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Lithuania. Spain and Australia.
IAF President Josh Reinstein said in a statement: “This year’s Chairmen’s Conference will focus on preparing our Chairmen from governments around the world to fight and eradicate the scourge of BDS.”