New York, NY . . . The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations hosted newly elected Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Tom Perez at a meeting of leaders of member organizations of the Conference. Chairman Perez welcomed the opportunity to address the Jewish community leadership and emphasized the Democratic Party’s strong commitment to maintain the overwhelming bipartisan support for special relationship between the U.S. and Israel and to Israel’s enduring safety and security. He spoke of his own personal connection to Israel and the Jewish people and recalled the deep impact visiting Israel had on him. Chairman Perez sharply condemned efforts by the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement to isolate, undermine and delegitimize the state of Israel and assured the leaders that he would remain engaged in the fight against anti-Semitism.
Commenting on the meeting, Stephen M. Greenberg, Chairman and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, said, “The Conference of Presidents welcomed the opportunity to host Chairman Perez at this early stage of his tenure as Chair of the DNC. It was important for the Conference leadership to hear directly from Chairman Perez that the Democratic Party is firmly committed to the longstanding bipartisan U.S. support for Israel. Support for Israel has been and must remain a bipartisan matter across the political spectrum.
Our leadership deeply appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from Chairman Perez on this and other issues. We look forward to working closely with him in his new position to strengthen and deepen the U.S. – Israel relationship.”
Chairman Perez said, “Throughout our nation’s history, the Jewish community has fought for civil and human rights and values, stood up to hate, and fought for an America that lives up to its founding principles of equality and opportunity. So in the Democratic Party, the Jewish community will always have a place at the table and a voice in our future. Embedded in that commitment is an understanding that Israel’s security and an active pursuit of peace in the Middle East through a lasting two-state solution is the responsibility of every leader in the U.S. – left, right, and center.”
Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Jewish Labor Committee as well as the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, who is a close associate of Chairman Perez, introduced him at the meeting.
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