Rivlin to American Israelis: You are the bridge

President Reuven Rivlin met with American Israelis in Los Angeles and stressed the importance of their ability to advocate on behalf of the Jewish state.

President Reuven Rivlin addresses American Israelis in Los Angeles. (photo credit: MARC NEYMAN/GPO)
President Reuven Rivlin addresses American Israelis in Los Angeles.
(photo credit: MARC NEYMAN/GPO)
President Reuven Rivlin emphasized the importance of maintaining a dialogue with Israelis living in all parts of the globe during a meeting on Sunday with Israeli-Americans in Los Angeles.
He regarded Israeli expatriates as a significant force campaigning on behalf of the State of Israel, he said.
Rivlin also reminded them that they have a secure home in Israel should they wish to return. “I know that you are our ambassadors here,” he told the audience that had assembled under the auspices of the Israeli-American Council – an organization established a decade ago for Israeli expatriates living in the US.
“You are the bridge between Israelis living in Israel and Jews of the United States,” said Rivlin, adding that Israelis living in the US were also a bridge between the US and Israel.
Because Israeli expatriates are so familiar with the Israeli reality, said Rivlin, they can liaise well with Israel and their countries of domicile.
What may be clear to Israelis living in Israel may not be comprehensible to outsiders, he said, which is why it is important for Israelis abroad to help promote understanding.
Rivlin urged the audience to maintain their Israeli and Jewish traditions, preserve the Hebrew language and bring it to the communities in which they live.
Moving on to the upcoming 70th anniversary Israel’s independence, Rivlin said, “We have a lot of which to be proud.”
He also mentioned some of the visits he had undertaken over the past year to Spain, Germany, India and Vietnam.
Rivlin explained that in all these places “little Israel” was regarded as some kind of a superpower in everything including culture, education, entrepreneurship, innovation, hi-tech, academia, agriculture, medicine and security.