February, 2011
For the first time in a quarter of a century, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations came to the City of Ariel on Thursday, February 17th. The Conference brought three busloads of leading figures from America’s primary Jewish organizations. Mayor Ron Nachman was here in Ariel to greet the group back in 1986 and he was here – yet again – to greet the delegates for their long awaited “return visit” in 2011.
Mayor Ron Nachman, American Friends of Ariel Director Avi Zimmerman and English-Speaking-Ariel-Aliyah Coordinator Reuven Franks boarded the Conference’s three buses at the Oranit checkpoint. They began the bus tours with an important point of reference: “You are now about to cross the green line and enter Samaria”.
The bus tour was an important element of the visit. The group learned about the strategic significance of the Ariel bloc, both in terms of its geography and its topography. The buses entered the Ariel Industrial Park where they saw Ariel’s significant contribution to Israel’s gross national product on the one hand and its stunted growth due to recurring building freezes on the other hand. They heard of the coexistence that amongst Israeli and Arab employees of the factories and about the international boycotts that serve only to undermine that coexistence.
Upon entering the City of Ariel, the group was introduced to the Ariel National Leadership Development Center and its national impact on the next generation of Israeli leaders. They then continued to the Ariel Regional Center for the Performing Arts where Mayor Ron Nachman gave a presentation about the founding of Ariel and its development as a city.
Traveling through Ariel, the group saw the well kept residential areas and the Lowell Milken Family Sports and Recreation Complex, which was modeled after the Jewish Community Centers (JCC’s) in America that the visitors were are all thoroughly familiar with. Just before arriving at the Ariel University Center the group saw the sad living conditions of the Netzarim community, originally from Gush Katif in the Gaza Strip until the “Disengagement” of 2005 when they were forced to leave their homes.
The tour was concluded at the Raab Building Auditorium at the Ariel University Center. The group was addressed briefly by Ariel University Center students Meskerem Tadesse of Ethiopian origin and Arab student Rim Nassar. They also heard from Mrs. Tami Zilbershein of the Netzerim community. Following their remarks, MK Dani Ben-Simon (Labor) was invited to address the group. He explained that although he represents the opposite pole of Mayor Ron Nachman’s politics, he recommended that Mayor Nachman receive the Israel Prize for establishing the City of Ariel.
Mayor Nachman was the final speaker for the visit. He discussed the consistent failures in Israeli diplomacy since the Oslo Accords and the misinformation concerning the supposed “occupation”. As he mentioned during his remarks at the Ariel Regional Center for the Performing Arts, Mayor Nachman stressed that he is not only in Ariel to guarantee the future of those living in the city but also to guarantee the future of the Jews in America and across the Diaspora.
On behalf of Mayor Ron Nachman, American Friends of Ariel wishes to thank Conference of Presidents Chairman Alan Solow and Executive Vice Chairman Malcolm Hoenlein for bringing the delegation to Ariel and exposing them to a firsthand appreciation of the Zionist enterprise.
Follow the links below to watch the presentations: