GENEVA – Members of the World Jewish Congress Jewish Diplomatic
Corps, Danny Mofsowitz (South Africa), chairperson of the SAJBD Gauteng Council
and member of the SAJBD National Executive Committee, and Yaakov Chaliotis
(UK), recently joined the WJC Geneva Office to bolster advocacy efforts at the
58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The JDs engaged in
strategic diplomatic meetings, interactive dialogues, and high-level events,
emphasizing key human rights objectives and combating antisemitism.
Danny Mofsowitz delivered powerful statements
highlighting the imperative to protect religious freedom and prevent genocide.
On freedom of religion, she stressed, “Recent months have witnessed an
alarming surge in antisemitism, affecting personal safety and religious
freedom. A comprehensive international response is urgently needed.” In her
address on genocide prevention, Mofsowitz poignantly stated, “History shows
that dehumanization leads to genocide. We must leverage technological advances
to ensure hatred has no place in our future.”
Yaakov Chaliotis engaged in diplomatic outreach
from February 24 to 28, strengthening relationships through strategic meetings
with ambassadors from Argentina, Montenegro, Malta, and Austria on pressing
issues such as advocating for human rights, combating antisemitism, and
ensuring global stability.
During the UNHRC High-Level Segment, member-states such as
Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary voiced their strong opposition to Hamas’s
October 7 attacks and emphasized the urgency of releasing all hostages held in
Gaza. Slovakia condemned Hamas’s brutality and linked it to the rising wave of
global antisemitism, underscoring the need for international action against
extremism. Austria reaffirmed its commitment to combating antisemitism and
securing Jewish communities worldwide. Hungary, meanwhile, addressed the issue
of bias within the Human Rights Council, calling out the disproportionate focus
on Israel and advocating for a more balanced approach to human rights
discussions
Additionally, Chaliotis attended key events focused on press freedom, notably “Journalists Under Fire,” a high level event hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, emphasizing the urgency for global solidarity and protection for journalists as vital pillars of democracy.
The World Jewish Congress strategically engages with country dignitaries
to strengthen diplomatic relations, advocate for human rights, combat
antisemitism, and ensure global stability. By fostering collaborations within
the international community, the WJC promotes justice and equality while
addressing issues such as the Israel-Gaza conflict and religious freedom and
combating extremism.