This week in New York, Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., Gilad Erdan met with Chairman of the Yesha Council Shlomo Ne’eman, CEO of the Council, Shira Livman, and Yigal Dilmoni, director of international relations at the Yesha Council and board member of AFJS (American Friends of Judea and Samaria).
During the meeting, Ambassador Erdan was briefed on the developmental progress in the communities of Judea and Samaria, and the security challenges of the region.
At the end of the meeting, Mayor of the Gush Etzion Regional Council and Chairman of the Yesha Council, Shlomo Ne’eman presented Ambassador Erdan with a wooden mezuza in the shape of Israel, designed by artist Michal Green-Shatz, a resident of the Yakir community in Samaria, as well as with a stone from a mikveh that was used by people on pilgrimage to the Temple during the Second Temple era. The mikveh is situated near Neve Daniel, in Gush Etzion.
The new mezuza will be affixed in Erdan’s office at Israel’s mission to the U.N.
Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., said: “I am very glad to receive this mezuza from Shlomo Ne’eman, chairman of the Yesha Council, and the Vice-Chair of the council, which was designed by the artist, Michal Green-Shatz of Yakir; a mezuzah that symbolizes that Judea and Samaria always belonged to the nation of Israel and will forever be part of Israel. God- willing, in a few months I shall affix this mezuza at my new office as Israel’s ambassador to the U.N. I was also happy to receive this “good stone” found at a mikveh from the Second Temple era, on the Path of the Patriarchs. It is, of course, further proof of the connection between the Jewish people and Judea and Samaria, which has lasted thousands of years, especially after having presented the security council in the past, with a stone thrown on the roads of Judea and Samaria.”
Shlomo Ne’eman, Mayor of the Gush Etzion Regional Council and Chairman of the Yesha Council thanked Ambassador Erdan for his work at the U.N. advocating Judea and Samaria. He said: “My friend, Ambassador Erdan, is a true friend to the community of Judea and Samaria. We have come to thank him and support him in his unyielding position on the side of truth throughout his service. We have gifted him with a stone from Gush Etzion from the Second Temple period which he can present to the U.N. to demonstrate our right to our fathers’ legacy. In the name of all residents of Judea and Samaria, we wish him continued success in all the work he does for the benefit of Israel and Judea and Samaria.”