NEW YORK – Dan Diker will leave his post as secretary-general of the World
Jewish Congress on January 2.
The WJC leadership has decided to revert
its headquarters to New York at the end of this year, and Diker has decided to
remain in Israel, where his family resides.
Diker joined the WJC as
Middle East policy adviser in June 2009, became the director of strategic
affairs in June 2010 and was confirmed as secretary- general in June 2011. He
also served as director-general of WJC-Israel from June 2011 to September
2012.
During his time at WJC, Diker was instrumental in establishing the
Global Coalition for Israel, which brings together 60 international Jewish
organizations and seven Israeli government ministries to form a response to the
delegitimization of Israel.
Under his leadership, the WJC set a new
rights-based agenda for the Jewish state and published a book in conjunction
with the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, Israel’s Rights as a Nation State
in International Diplomacy.
Diker also brought the issue of seeking
justice for Jewish refugees from Arab countries to the top of the WJC agenda,
organizing two conferences in Jerusalem and at the UN on this issue.
“We
are all very sorry that Dan will be leaving the WJC,” said Ronald Lauder, the
organization’s president, in a news release. “His love of Israel and the Jewish
people is second to none. He invigorated the organization with his enthusiasm
and dynamism. We wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Diker stated: “I
thank Ronald Lauder and the WJC leadership for having given me the opportunity
to serve at the helm of this distinguished organization.
I am now looking
forward to focusing on working with the upcoming Israeli government and the
Knesset in representing Israel’s vital interests.”
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