Envoys head for ‘Post’ diplomatic parley

Some 50 ambassadors to Israel and 120 consuls-general, military attachés and other foreign embassy staff members have confirmed their attendance at the first Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference in Herzliya next Wednesday.

Foreign Minister and Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman, former foreign minister Tzipi Livni – who has now formed a new political party – and US Ambassador Daniel Shapiro will lead the lineup of VIPs slated to address the invitation- only event, hosted by The Jerusalem Post’s Editor-in-Chief Steve Linde.

“Coming soon after Operation Pillar of Defense and only a month before our elections in Israel, this unique event is sure to spark news from the prestigious speakers,” Linde said, noting that more than 40 foreign and local correspondents are expected to cover the conference.

“We will no doubt address the current tension between the international community and Israel over the government’s plan to build 3,000 new housing units over the Green Line,” he said.

Joining Liberman, Livni and Shapiro on the dais will be former Israel Air Force commander Maj.-Gen. (res.) Ido Nehushtan, who will present an overview of the security challenges facing Israel. There will also be addresses by Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, and Efi Stenzler, world chairman of the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF).

All guests will receive a special magazine compiled for the conference, which coincides with the Post’s 80th birthday.

According to media specialist Brig.-Gen. (res.) Avi Benayahu, who has served as IDF spokesman and adviser to the prime minister and the defense minister, the conference will fill a void for the members of the foreign diplomatic corps.

“In all my previous roles, I understood that the we could be doing more for the diplomatic community, but were restricted by lack of time and resources,” said Benayahu, who formulated the idea of a diplomatic club dialogue in his role as media adviser to the Post. “The Jerusalem Post – an Israeli institution and unbiased disseminator of news – is perfectly placed to fill that void and provide information directly to the diplomats without any barriers.”

Benayahu emphasized that the inauguration of the club was the first of regular meetings that the Post would be sponsoring for diplomats, including planned power breakfasts, symposiums, field trips and annual conferences like the one taking place on Wednesday.

“There’s no doubt that this will be a successful integration of the diplomatic community and The Jerusalem Post’s ability to offer the best people with the best information about what is happening in Israel and in the region,” he said. “It’s a win-win situation.”