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TO ADVERTISE CALL 020 3906 8488 Biden to receive Presidential honour

BY DAVID SAFFER

President Isaac Herzog will award the Israeli Presidential Medal to US President Joe Biden during his state visit to Israel this week.

The accolade will be made at the President’s Residence in recognition of Biden’s friendship with Israel, commitment to Israel's security, contribution to enhancing the alliance between Israel and US, and struggle against anti-Israeli and antisemitic hatred around the world.

The Presidential Medal of Honor advisory committee noted, “President Biden is a true friend of the State of Israel and the Jewish People. The United States is Israel’s closest ally, a fact to which the President of the United States gives expression in word and deed. Since the start of President Biden’s rich career in public service in the 1970s, he has established himself as a person who loves Israel and is a true friend of the whole Jewish people.

“For half a century, the President has stood by the State of Israel, has given his unconditional support to its right to exist, and has fought with determination to expand U.S. assistance to Israel. In this, the President gives expression in word and deed to the importance of the alliance between Israel and the United States, to his commitment to deepen the cooperation between them, to his support for Israel’s security, and to his commitment to firmly confront antisemitism.”

The honour is the initiative of the Ninth President, Shimon Peres and awarded to individuals who have made an extraordito examine candidates for the receipt of the honour.

Former recipients include US President Barack Obama, German Chancellor An-

President Herzog at US Independence Day celebrations

PHOTO: KOBI GIDEON (GPO)

nary contribution to the State of Israel or to humanity.

It was first awarded in 2012. The honour has been granted to 26 individuals by an advisory committee.

When Herzog entered office, he reconstituted the advisory committee under retired Supreme Court Justice Prof. Yoram Danzige gela Merkel, Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel, Yad Vashem chairman Avner Shalev, US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz.

Building up to Biden’s visit, Herzog spoke about Biden’s visit to Israel when he participated in Independence Day celebrations

Lapid praises IDF graduates

BY ADAM MOSES

Israel is stronger than its enemies and will not hesitate to use force against them Prime Minister Lapid told IDF officer's graduating last week.

Lapid added that despite security threats Israeli people were stronger and would stand together.

“You cannot win on your own," was the message from Lapid to the 463 IDF officers who he described as an “elite team” of the Israeli people.

“You may not share the same views but you share the same values,” he observed. “You don't complete officer training in the IDF without a strong personality and will. You are competitive and want to prove yourselves. You chose to dedicate your lives to a common purpose, to a common good.”

Lapid outlined threats including a nuclear Iran, Hezbollah's precision-guided missiles in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and terrorist cells in Jenin but Israel would keep

Prime Minister Yair Lapid at the IDF Officers Course Graduation Ceremony its citizens safe.

“Our enemies need to know that at any given moment, we are stronger, more sophisticated and tougher,” he explained. “Our enemies need to know one more thing, we stand together against them. Israeli society is stronger than any disagreement. Israel's strength is the strength of unity.” Lapid said officers are taught that you cannot win on your own. He explained, "If you want to be trusted, you must have trust in your troops and your commanders. Our mission as a society is to restore trust in our democracy, trust in the IDF, in the police, in the courts. But primarily, we must restore our trust in one another.” hosted by U.S. Ambassador Thomas R. Nides last week.

He said, “The President is a longtime friend of Israel, who is known for his faith and resolve, as much as his warmth and decency.”

Former PM Naftali Bennett, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, government ministers, Knesset MKs, foreign ambassadors and diplomats attended the event.

“Since its founding over two centuries ago the American model has been an inspiration to the world,” noted Herzog. “The US has championed so many weighty values derived from the Holy Bible and Jewish thought. It has gifted the global community with unprecedented prosperity and security, pushed the boundaries of individual freedom, and pioneered the notion of liberty, equality and the pursuit of happiness.”

Regarding Israel-US relations, Israel’s president noted, “The Israeli and American peoples are bound together by a deep kinship, which overcomes disagreement and transcends political affiliation. The close strategic alliance Israel and US share, most notably in defence and regional security are a fundamental pillar in our bilateral ties. We will never take this partnership or friendship for granted. The remarkable American Jewish community also comprises a vital part of the American mosaic. It has enriched the deep friendship our nations share and deeply influenced Israel going back to its early days.

Lapid said officers were Israel’s “deterrence”.

He observed, “It's not something we get as part of an American aid package. Israeli deterrence is built on the strength of young people who are ready to push themselves to the limit and beyond.

“Each time you encountered difficulty, you said to yourselves, 'This is my test and I will pass it. I will fall again and again, but each time I fall, I will get up.'”

Lapid added that officers having completed the course were capable to withstand hardships.

“You know what it's like to compete when the conditions are not in your favour,” he said. “You crossed the finish line because you told yourselves, "I'm not looking for excuses why I failed, I'm looking inside myself for the strength to keep going until I get there and become one of the best."

He added, “The best version of yourself is the version that knows how to work together for the State of Israel, that the purpose of disagreements is not to fight, but rather to reach a better outcome.”

Defence Minister Benny Gantz, IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi, Maj.-Gen. Motti Baruch and Col. Yehuda Vach attended.

6 NEWS

TO ADVERTISE CALL 020 3906 8488 Global outrage at Abe murder

BY DAVID SAFFER

Jewish leaders echoed global condemnation over the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Nara, near Osaka, ahead of elections last Friday.

Police arrested Tetsuya Yamagami who confessed to planning the crime.

The murder has shocked the Japanese nation. Enormous crowds paid respect to Abe, 67, before a private funeral at the Zojoji temple on Tuesday.

Police reportedly stated that Yamagami linked Abe to a religious group he blames for his mother's financial ruin and break up of his family.

World leaders have been shaken by the murder and offered glowing tributes to the respected statesman, who was Japan's longest-serving post-war prime minister.

Abe stepped down from public office in 2020 due to health issues.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid sent condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Israel.

“Abe was one of the most important leaders of modern Japan and a true friend of Israel who brought about flourishing and prosperous relations between Israel and Japan,” he said. “His heinous murder will not change his distinguished legacy. Israel bows its head and mourns the loss of Abe together with the people of Japan."

President Isaac Herzog was horrified at the “despicable” murder of one of Japan's most “preeminent leaders in modern times”.

“We met when I chaired Israel's Opposition, I was deeply impressed by his leadership, vision and respect for Israel,” he noted.

Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy visited Japanese Ambassador to Israel Koichi Mizushima to offer condolences and was the first person to sign in a condolence book in memory of Abe.

“His tragic death is a despicable act of violence that has no place in a democratic society,” Levy wrote. “PM Abe was a great friend of Israel and architect of the robust relations we enjoy today.”

Israeli cities showed solidarity by illuminating sites and displaying the Japanese flag in memory of Abe who visited Yad Vashem in 2018 trip.

Abe had been to a number of Holocaust sites during his premiership including the Holocaust Museum in Washington and Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumo Kishida condemned the assassination and described Abe as a “personal friend”.

US President Joe Biden was “stunned, outraged and deeply saddened” by the murder.

“His vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific will endure,” he said. “He was a champion of the friendship between our people. The United States stands with Japan in this moment of grief.”

Biden added, “This is a tragedy for Japan and for all who knew him,” he added. “Even at the moment he was attacked, he was engaged in the work of democracy.”

Biden noted that gun violence leaves a “deep scar” on communities affected by it.

The Chinese embassy in Japan expressed “shock” at the murder and noted Abe’s attempts to improve relations between the nations.

South Korean president Yoon Suk-Yeol condemned “an unforgivable act of crime”.

He noted, “An act of terrorism during an election is a brutal attack against the very foundation of democracy. It is utterly unacceptable.“

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen said the international community had lost an “important leader”.

He added, “Taiwan and Japan are both democratic countries with the rule of law, our government severely condemns violent and illegal acts.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the attack was a “brutal and cowardly murder” of a “great democrat and champion of the multilateral world order”.

European Council President Charles Michel said Abe, was “a true friend” and “fierce defender” of democratic values.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised Abe’s “global leadership through unchartered times”.

German chancellor Olaf Scholz said his country stood by Japan in difficult hours, French president Emmanuel Macron said Abe was a “great” prime minister.

Shinzo Abe

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi announced a national day of mourning in India as a mark of “deep respect”.

World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder, recalled the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin.

“The senseless murder of former Prime Minister Abe is a reminder of the increased danger posed by extremists across the political spectrum,” he noted. “It should also serve as a wakeup call for all nations to realise once and for all that terrorism, violence and hatred cannot be a solution to any of the problems we face collectively.” Lauder added, that Abe was a “lifelong champion” of Japanese democracy.

Board hosts online hate panel conference

BY LEAH WAXLER

Four leading Jewish women discussed the trials of combating bigotry on social media platforms at Westminster last week.

The Board of Deputies hosted the online hate event.

Board President Marie van der Zyl, Dame Margaret Hodge MP, HOPE not hate deputy director Jemma Levene and Nisa-Nashim interfaith group’s Laura Marks participated.

Ms Marks spoke about how a climate of intimidation has prevented people, “particularly women”, getting involved in the interfaith space due to online abuse.

“To deny that women are specifically and particularly targeted is ridiculous”, she said.

Dame Margaret, co-chair of the APPG on British Jews, described being the subject of 90,000 mentions online, mostly hostile and anonymous, in a two-month period.

She said, with regards to social media companies, that “interest in removing [hate] is limited.”

“No platform is going to regulate themselves, they need to have something to lose,” she commented.

Noting the Online Safety Bill has 52 pages of proposed amendments, Dame Margarety spoke about “legal but harmful” language and extremists acting as journalists to avoid consequences for their actions.

Dame Margaret stressed that if Ofcom receives sweeping regulatory powers which the Online Safety Bill is set to give them, the organisation will “need enough money and resources” to take control of new areas of scope.

People engaging in online hate hiding behind anonymity must be prevented

Marie van der Zyl speaking at the conference

along with liability for key representatives of social media platforms and companies failing to comply with the new legislation.

Ms van der Zyl, who chaired the panel, thanked participants for valuable contributions.

She told the audience that a key Board mission was to combat antisemitism in all its forms.

“Over the last 15 years in particular, along with the rise of social media platforms, there has been a surge of anti-Jewish hatred in the online space”, she said. “This is certainly not limited to anti-Jewish hate, though. The internet has brought many positives, but has also enabled an avalanche of bigotry targeted against all minorities including anti-Muslim hate, racism and Misogyny All have been allowed to proliferate, despite many fine words from Online Corporations about their user policies.”

Ms van der Zyl added, “A couple of years ago I wrote that ‘Online is the new frontline in the fight against antisemitism’. Sadly, little has changed since then.”

The discussion took place at the Fringe of the International Ministerial Forum on Freedom of Religion and Belief at the QE2 conference centre.

8 NEWS

TO ADVERTISE CALL 020 3906 8488 Herzog awards Zeman presidential medal

BY ADAM MOSES

President Isaac Herzog presented President MiloŠ Zeman with the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour during a one day visit to the Czech Republic on Sunday.

Zeman received the accolade for “consistent support” of Israel on the international stage and a "zero tolerance" policy on terrorism and antisemitism.

Herzog and First Lady Michal attended a state ceremony at Prague Castle led by Zeman.

After proceedings Herzog and Zeman held a bilateral meeting with delegations including Prime Minister Petr Fiala, President of the Czech Senate MiloŠ Vystrcil and Chamber of Deputies President Marketa Pekarova Adamova.

Herzog awarded Zeman the medal at a state luncheon, describing Zeman as one of Israel’s “greatest friends” in the world.

“It is no secret that for several decades we have been true partners, learning, supporting and relying on each other,” he said.

Herzog added, “We always remember the Czech support for the establishment of the State of Israel. We also remember Czechia's greatest leaders, it has been thanks to this partnership that we have advanced our nations’ shared ideological, economic, and security interests.”

Herzog thanked Zeman for taking Israel's side against enemies who try destabilise the Middle East. And he welcomed the relocation of the Czech Embassy to Jerusalem.

“This is another example of your friendship,’ he said. “We are proud of the potential for the relationship between our peoples, covering immense fields of cooperation. I am confident that they will continue to flourish.”

Zeman said, “We face another opportunity to strengthen our collaboration in many fields, including defence, security, and technology. The Czech Republic fully supports the Israeli people against the international community.”

Zeman noted the anti-Israel ruling of the UN Human Rights Council that the Czech Republic “forcefully condemned”.

The Herzogs accompanied Chaim Herzog when he was the Sixth President of Israel.

“The visit made a mighty impact on us,” he told Zeman. “The excitement that we felt back then is much more intense now, because of your vision that impacts our nations' relationship.”

The Herzogs visited the New Synagogue in Prague, Europe's oldest active synagogue, Jewish cemetery and met members of the Jewish community.

President Isaac Herzog presents medal to Preident Miloš Zeman

PHOTO: HAIM ZACH (GPO)

14 JULY 2022

AJR testimony expands to US

The Association of Jewish Refugees is opening its testimony archives to US and Europe audiences.

The collection of 270 interviews will be held at the Centre for Jewish History in New York.

The partnership with an Austrian online testimony platform enables refugee interviews by Herta Kammerling, Walter Kammerling, John Chillag, Francis Max Steiner and Valerie Klimt to be fully accessible.

Chief archivist Rachel Miller said,“These voices from the UK will broaden the rich digital footprint of the oral histories documenting the refugee and immigrant experiences of Central and Eastern European Jewish survivors, Iraqi Jews and Soviet-era refuseniks currently available to our US audience.”

Dr Bea Lewkowicz, AJR Refugee Archive, said: “It is our fervent hope that the precious stories we have captured will be used for research and study to combat Holocaust denial and distortion, and to preserve for posterity a unique history and cultural heritage.”

The filmed interviews includes photographs and documents.

AJR Refugee Voices can also be accessed at Yad Vashem, Memorial de la Shoah in Paris, Wiener Holocaust Library in London alongside UK and European Universities.

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AJEX honour unknown heroes

Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss and AJEX Chaplain, Rabbi Major Reuben Livingston

BY DAVID SAFFER

AJEX JMA held a special service of remembrance at Willesden Jewish Cemetery to honour veterans with no known graves last Sunday.

Attendees commemorated over 120,000 Jewish servicemen and women who served in both World Wars at the Jewish war memorial.

The ceremony was led by AJEX national chairman S/Sgt Dan Fox and AJEX Chaplain Rabbi Major Reuben Livingstone.

Wreaths were laid and a selection of prayers were recited including a memorial prayer.

Vice President of AJEX, Ron Shelley, led the Exhortation and Krupesh Hirani recited a poem.

Over 30 cadets took part from 205 Wembley Detachment including Joseph Mejuto who led the parade as Cadet Sargent.

The cadets were joined by Sargent Gotty and PI Sergeant Arthur Mejuto.

S/Sgt Fox said, “Together we honoured all the brave men and women who have no marked resting place. We also remembered British Jewish veterans who contributed to both world wars. It was so meaningful that many joined us at the memorial service”.

Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss, Cadet Forces Representative, Deputy Lieutenant Mei Sim Lai and local assembly member Krupesh Hirani attended.

The Willesden cenotaph was the first Jewish war memorial in the country and oldest to honour those from the UK community.

10 NEWS TO ADVERTISE CALL 020 3906 8488

14 JULY 2022 Iran can threaten “world peace” Lapid tells Macron

BY LILLY JOSEPH

Prime Minister Yair Lapid has told President Emmanuel Macron that Iran can threaten “world peace”.

Israel’s new leader was in France last week on his first official trip since succeeding Naftali Bennett after MKs dissolved the Knesset.

Israel is heading to the polls in November but Lapid has stressed the coalition will continue to function and stated after taking office that Iran is Israel’s “gravest threat”.

Lapid was forthright in his remarks about Iran regarding the nuclear deal. "Iran is violating the agreement and continues to develop its programme,” he said. “Iran is hiding information from the world, it is enriching uranium beyond what it is allowed and it has removed cameras from its nuclear sites. Given all this, the world must respond.”

Lapid added, “The current situation cannot continue as it is. It will lead to a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, which would threaten world peace. We must all work together to stop that from happening.”

Israel’s leader noted the IDF intercepting three Hezbollah UAV’s targeting an infrastructure in its economic waters this month.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid and President Emmanuel Macron "Hezbollah has more than 100,000 rockets in Lebanon aimed at Israel," he said. "Israel will not sit back and do nothing, given these repeated attacks.” Lapid added, “If Hezbollah thinks it can continue with operations of that kind against the (gas) rig or other things, that is liable to lead to an unwanted deterioration. We ought to use the time to reach an agreement with Lebanon. The conditions are good and the two countries’ positions are clear.”

Bicom noted that Lapid is understood to have asked Macron to highlight the risk of future Hezbollah operations to the Lebanese government.

Speaking at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Lapid said Israel’s friendship with France was based on values that are worth fighting for.

He observed, “With the war in Ukraine and terrorism from Iran, we are reminded

that not only does democracy protect us, but we must also protect democracy. Sometimes there is no choice but to use the force of war to protect peace. Israel and France are more than just friends, we are strategic partners. We have a host of economic and defence co-operations, together we are determined to develop them especially in the technological spheres.” Macron appealed to Lapid to restart peace talks with the Palestinians and believed that Lapid had “what it takes" to succeed. Lapid did not rule out meeting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, but it was unlikely before elections. "I don't hold meetings for the sake of holding meetings,” he said. “They should have positive prospective outcomes for Israel. That PHOTO: AMOS BEN-GERSHOM (GPO) is not the situation right now.” Lapid met with the President of France’s Jewish community, Yonathan Arfi. Discussions included Israel-France relations, maintenance of ties between the State of Israel and Jewish communities around the world, and the importance of the fight against antisemitism. Lapid was welcomed at Charles DeGaulle Airport by Israeli Ambassador to France Yael German and Israeli Ambassador to the OECD Haim Asraf.

The purchasing power of £100,000 in 5 years time with inflation at 9%

£120,000

£100,000 £80,000

£60,000

£40,000 £20,000

£0 £100,000 £91,743 £84,168 £77,218 £70,843 £64,993

2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027

Source: Raymond James, Golders Green

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