Communicated by the Jewish Agency
for Israel Foreign Press and Media Liaison
Jerusalem, 24 February 2000
Jewish journalists from around the world meet in Jerusalem
Focus on the Middle East peace process
and negotiations with Syria
The peace process with Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinians is one of the major topics to be discussed at the Eighth International Conference of the Jewish Media. Rami Kornblum, Chairman of the conferenceÆs steering committee and Director-General of the Department for Zionist Activities of the World Zionist Organization, reports that the conference, taking place in Jerusalem from February 25 until March 1, will involve 120 Jewish journalists from more than 30 countries around the world.
In the framework of discussions on the Middle East peace process, journalists will be travelling to the Golan Heights and meeting with residents and army officials in order to get a first-hand understanding of the ramifications of the negotiations with Syria on water, settlement and military issues. Conference participants will also be meeting with Ambassador Zalman Shoval, Regional Development Minister Shimon Peres, Ambassador Oded Eran and chief Palestinian negotiator Dr. Saeb Erekat.
The week-long conference will include meetings with Prime Minister Ehud Barak, JAFI Chairman Sallai Meridor, JAFI Treasurer Chaim Chesler, Minister of the Interior Natan Sharansky, Absorption Minister Yuli Tamir, Minister for Diaspora Affairs Rabbi Michael Melchior, leader of the opposition MK Ariel Sharon and Head of the Department for Zionist Activities of the World Zionist Organization Rabbi Joseph Wernik, as well as economists, academic experts and other leading public figures. In addition to deliberations on the peace process, there will be discussions on current developments in Israeli society and the role of Jewish journalism in Israel-Diaspora relations.
Among the participants will be chairman of the American Jewish Press Service and editor of the ôSan Francisco Jewish Bulletinö Marc Klein, ôJewish Week of New Yorkö editor Gary Rosenblatt, editor of the JTA Lisa Hostein, editor of the ôCanadian Jewish Newsö Mordechai Ben-Dat, foreign editor of the ôJewish Chronicleö Jenni Frazer and Suzanne Belling of the ôJewish Reportö, South Africa. Many Jewish journalists from centers throughout the Former Soviet Union will also be in attendance.
The First International Conference of the Jewish Media took place in 1985 upon the initiative of the late Maj. Gen. (Res.) Uzi Narkiss, the liberator of Jerusalem in the Six-Day War, who was then chairman of the Information Department of the World Zionist Organization. The conference is being organized by the World Zionist Organization, Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Hayesod, Jewish National Fund, IsraelÆs Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Israel Government Press Office, Bank Hapoalim and the Jerusalem Post.
On Sautrday night, February 26th, a festive opening session will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Jerusalem from 8:30-10:00pm. Greeting the conference participants and guests will be Sallai Meridor, Chairman of the Executive, Jewish Agency for Israel and World Zionist Organization, Mayor of Jerusalem Ehud Olmert, Rabbi Joseph Wernik, Chairman of the conference and head of Department for Zionist Activities, WZO, Yaakov Levy, Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Ministry and Rami Kornblum, Director-General of the Department for Zionist Activities, WZO. Rabbi Michael Melchior, Minister of Israeli Society and the World Jewish Community, will deliver the central address. The eveningÆs artistic program will include Tuvia Tsafir, the ôEdenö song troupe, ôTararamö, and singer Efrat Rotem.
The conference will convene at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Jerusalem