Making Peace: Palestinian leaders and heads of organizations gather together in an event blessed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Mahmoud Abbas.
Initiated by Mr. Sam Ben Shitrit – Chairman of the World Federation of Moroccan Jewry, the conference was held at the “Pavilion” banquet hall where some 250 heads of Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews met with ministers and officials on behalf of Mahmoud Abbas, to discuss the “role of Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews in the matters of peace and coexistence in our region”. The conference was attended by special delegations from Morocco, the USA, UK and Canada.
Dr. Andre Gasiorowski – Chairman of Helping Hand Coalition and World Federation of Moroccan Jewry Presidium member said:”I am grateful to be part of this important project. Special thanks to Sam Ben-Shitrit and the World Federation of Moroccan Jewry, for putting together this initiative. It is a matter of life for the Israeli people and for the Palestinian people, to constantly seek a dialogue in order to find a way to peace. A very important thing for the Middle East and the entire world. “
This unprecedented meeting included participation by 17 leaders of worldwide federations including Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iran and others. Palestinian Authority was represented by the senior advisor to Mahmoud Abbas, and Dr. Mahmoud Al-Habash – Supreme of the PA and Minister of Religious Affairs, as well as ministers and senior officials. Most of them came with their wives. Around 40 scholars attended from all communities, Israeli ambassadors, Knesset members and businessmen. Mr. Sam Ben-Shitrit – Chairman of the World Federation of Moroccan Jewry emphasized that “we are not rightwing people nor are we leftwing people. We are of the opinion of the majority of the Israeli people that supports peace.” Mahmoud Abbas’s declaration was especially moving to the heads of the federation when he turned his gaze towards the woman rabbi Bruriah Zvuloni and said, “Pray for me, that I may live long enough to sign a peace treaty with Israel, and I will set up a Palestinian State that lives in peace; in peace and harmony side by side with Israelis”.
In his letter to Sam Ben-Shitrit on the 31st of December in 2015, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “I thank you for taking the time to move forward the dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians”. Netanyahu concluded his letter: “We are convinced that you will continue making efforts to deepen the understanding and cooperation between Israel and the Palestinians and help lay the foundations for peace.”
During the conference, a “manifesto” was unanimously received with a roaring applause among other things, like the direct request for Mahmoud Abbas and Netanyahu to meet together with their wives, as they publicly declared that they would do, which may reduce stress and plant hope in the hearts of both peoples. The participants support the establishment of two states for two peoples living in peace and harmony with each other.
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