Legislators from Latin America in the Israel Allies network will meet in Miami, Florida, on Sunday for a conference on the adoption and implementation of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism hosted by the Israel Allies Foundation (IAF) and the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM). Each of the attending legislators serves as Chairman of the Parliamentary Israel Allies Caucus in their country and has a faith-based connection with Israel.
Ten countries are represented, including Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, and Brazil. Speakers at the event include Guatemalan Minister of Foreign Affairs Mario Bucaro, Israel's Consul General in Miami Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, former Mayor of Bal Harbor Gabriel Groisman, and President of Feuntes Latina Leah Soibel.
Minister Bucaro will serve as keynote speaker at the event and provide guidance to the legislators on how to translate their support for Israel into real political action. "The IAF played an instrumental role in our decision to move the Guatemalan embassy to Jerusalem," said Bucaro. "Jews and Christians working together to promote support for Israel and Judeo-Christian values can make a real impact across the globe."
The IAF currently coordinates the activities of 50 Israel Allies Caucuses worldwide. One of the conference delegates, Deputy Dorina Rodriguez from the Dominican Republic, leads the formation of the 51st Israel Allies Caucus. "We are proud to work with the Israel Allies Foundation and to support Israel from the Dominican Republic Congress with the formation of a group of deputies who love Israel," said Rodríguez, "especially at this important moment with the excellent relations between both countries."
The legislators will draft and sign a resolution together which calls for the study, adoption, and implementation of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism.
"With Israel under constant attack and antisemitic hatred flourishing on an unprecedented scale globally, it is time for friends of the Jewish people and state – both across Latin America and worldwide – to stand up and take meaningful action," said Combat Antisemitism Movement CEO, Sacha Roytman Dratwa. "One of the most effective ways for lawmakers to have an impact in the collective effort against Jew-hatred is to promote the adoption and implementation of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism," he added.
IAF Latin America Director Leopoldo Martinez said, "The success of diplomatic tools like the IHRA working definition of antisemitism can only be as effective as their implementation. We know we can count on the parliamentarians in the Israel Allies network to creatively and powerfully implement this tool, among others, to combat antisemitism and its new manifestation, anti-Zionism."