Diker to resign as World Jewish Congress leader

Dan Diker will leave his post as secretary-general of the WJC early 2013; leadership reverts headquarters to New York.

Daniel Diker 370 (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Daniel Diker 370
(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
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.”