The International Forum Of Latin American Jewish Leaders To Combat Anti-Semitism was organized by Hatzad Hasheni (Hasbara Department of Maccabi), the Jewish Community of Chile and B´nai B´rith Chile, in Santiago from March 16-19.

Jewish leaders of B´nai B´rith Latin America and from the communities in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Uruguay and Panama and special invited guests from Israel, Simon Wiesenthal Center Latin America and ADL (Latin America Division) attended the event.

Amit Efrat, officer of the Ministry of Strategic Affairs and Public Diplomacy of Israel attended, made presentations and worked separately with each one of the countries on such issues as cooperation in public diplomacy.

Representatives from B´nai B´rith and the communities made presentations on the way Latin American countries are facing the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement and all forms of anti-Semitism.

Eduardo Kohn, B’nai B’rith director for Latin American Affairs, made a presentation about the political context in Latin America and the ongoing political changes in different countries. He discussed how B´nai B´rith programs are connecting with those who are friendly to Israel and work to combat anti-Semitism and how B´nai B´rith is contesting those countries that incite Jewish hatred and help Iranian and Hezbollah penetration in the region, such as Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Cuba. Kohn explained the role of B´nai B´rith in the Organization of American States and U.N. agencies.

There were two presentations from Israeli Ambassador in Chile Eldad Hayet, sharing with the 40 participants how Israel is facing BDS and the delegitimization of Israel.

Stuart Eizenstat from the United States, shared with the forum attendees how BDS is addressed in the United States. Gabriel Ben Tasgal, Hatzad Hasheni´s director coordinated the agenda and made presentations on the legal issues which are discussed in international forums vis a vis the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Ben Tasgal and his office will issue a document based on the main presentations made during the event, and the participants will coordinate political actions which may be useful for all countries based on the document, and also based in the summary of the discussions held in Chile this week.