May 18, 2012 – Jerusalem – An AJC leadership delegation concluded a week-long visit to Israel today.

AJC Executive Director David Harris led the group in meetings with senior officials in the Prime Minister's Office, Knesset, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense.

Among others, the group had intensive discussions with National Security Advisor Yaakov Amidror; Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister Ron Dermer; Kadima leader MK Shaul Mofaz; Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon and Director General Rafi Barak; and the Ambassadors of the United States, France, Japan and Poland to Israel.

The delegation also offered condolences in person to Prime Minister Netanyahu on the loss of his father, Benzion Netanyahu, who recently passed away at the age of 102.

AJC's consultations with officials centered, first and foremost, on the Iranian nuclear threat, including the upcoming talks in Baghdad with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany.

The opportunities posed by a newly-enlarged Israeli coalition government, the exchange of letters between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian President Abbas, and the regional security dynamic were also discussed at length.

"The challenges facing the State of Israel are immense," said Harris.  "From Egypt to Syria, and Lebanon to Iran, instability and uncertainty is the defining feature of the neighborhood.

"At the same time, coming to Israel, as always, one encounters a democratic country brimming with dynamism, a proud, dependable ally of the United States, and a nation poised to become a leading exporter of natural gas. Would that many more people would experience this extraordinary country first-hand rather than rely on second- and third-hand reports," Harris added.

Harris was joined by, among others, Edward Rettig, Director of AJC Jerusalem. AJC established the first American Jewish office in Israel in 1962, exactly 50 years ago.

On Thursday, the delegation traveled to Cyprus for the agency's sixth visit to the island in the past two years.  While in Cyprus, AJC officials met with President Demetris Christofias and Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis. The Foreign Minister was a keynote speaker at the AJC Global Forum in Washington earlier this month.

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