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GPO Director Nitzan Chen speaking at the 4th International Jewish Media Summit 

Itzhak Rabihiya / SNN, Space Network News 

The coronavirus crisis has placed the Jewish identity of hundreds of Jewish communities around the world in genuine danger. The Government of Israel must assist them in connecting to their Jewishness and preserving their identity. 

This important message was raised yesterday evening (Tuesday, 8 December 2020) at the international Jewish Media Summit organized by the Government Press Office (GPO) in cooperation with the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and with the participation of President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and media representatives and influencers from 30 countries. This year's summit was held online in light of the coronavirus pandemic and linked senior figures in the global Jewish media with the State of Israel. 

President Rivlin said in his video message saying, "The role of the Jewish media is so important, not only for helping us all stay connected to our communities, but for being the voice of the communities, especially when it comes to fighting anti-Israel hatred and BDS." 

"2020 was a year of not only a dreadful plague. It was a year of good news of peace with 3 Arab countries. I expect the circle of peace to grow," said Prime Minister Netanyahu. 

Meanwhile GPO Director Nitzan Chen said, "The international Jewish Media Summit has become a main platform in which Jewish media leaders from Israel and the world deal with critical issues for the Jewish Diaspora. I have no doubt that this summit, especially during the coronavirus crisis, strengthens the bond between the State of Israel and its government and public opinion leaders among dozens of Jewish communities around the world, which desire close ties with decision-makers in Israel." 

Ruderman Family Foundation Executive Director Shira Ruderman also mentioned, "Currently, Israel is willing to listen to American Jewry only when it comes to donations or lobbying for Israel in Washington, DC. Most Jews in Israel do not understand American Jewry well enough, and we have lost our shared mission. If Israel really wants to function as the nation state of the entire Jewish people, this must change." 

Among the issues discussed at the summit were the influence of social networks on the hatred of Jews in the world in the shadow of the coronavirus and the right of Jews from around the world to intervene in what is going in in Israel. 

Among the participants in the summit were Jewish influencer and comedian Avi Liberman, Israel Hayom editor Boaz Bismuth, Israel TV News Ch. #13 Shabbat edition presenter Hila Korach and other senior global Jewish media figures. 

During the conference, many participants expressed their deep desire to receive assistance from the Israeli government in formal and informal education including work with students and young people on college campuses. 

For additional details please contact GPO Director Nitzan Chen at 050-6236213. 

Attached photo credits: Tzivia Katzman (GPO)