Insights on Israel from consul general

Chabad welcomes David Siegel



UPDATE ON MIDDLE EAST—David Siegel, center, consul general of Israel in Los Angeles, spoke on “Israel at the Crossroads” at the Chabad of the Conejo town hall meeting at the Agoura Hills Sheraton on Oct. 7. Also present were Agoura Hills Mayor Denis Weber, left, and Rabbi Moshe Bryski of the Chabad of the Conejo.

UPDATE ON MIDDLE EAST—David Siegel, center, consul general of Israel in Los Angeles, spoke on “Israel at the Crossroads” at the Chabad of the Conejo town hall meeting at the Agoura Hills Sheraton on Oct. 7. Also present were Agoura Hills Mayor Denis Weber, left, and Rabbi Moshe Bryski of the Chabad of the Conejo.

Chabad of the Conejo’s town meeting with David Siegel, consul general of Israel in Los Angeles, was packed with residents thirsty for details about the topic “Israel at the Crossroads.”

Rabbi Moshe Bryski opened the Oct. 7 event at the Agoura Hills Sheraton with some general comments about the state of Israel in a very unsettled region of the world.

“Few people are neutral about Israel,” Bryski said, adding that the Jewish homeland inspires passion, and despite challenges with opposing forces from Iran, Hamas and others, the country continues to prosper and experience economic growth.

Bryski shared a Bible prophesy about God’s vision that, after being exiled to the four corners of the world, Jews would board “the wings of eagles and fly back to the promised land.”

He said that the prophesy of Isaiah had been realized when one million Soviet Jews, Ethiopian Jews and Jewish people from all over the world returned to Israel.

“There are more Jews living in Israel than the United States for the first time,” Bryski said. “There are more people studying at yeshiva (orthodox Jewish college) than in any time in our 3,000-year history. Our 2,000-year-old dream . . . has unfolded before our eyes.”

Siegel outlined the full scope of Jewish commitment and challenges. He said Israeli humanitarians were the first to provide aid in Turkey after the 2011 earthquake and also after a tsunami ravaged Japan the same year.

A secret field hospital run by Jewish groups in the Golan Heights is caring for Syrian refugees, he said. Groups are also working in all African nations sharing farming and irrigation technology.

Siegel marveled at the progress Jews have made in recent history.

“Virtually all Jews are free from oppression,” he said. “It is a great time in history. We shouldn’t have been here—we’re here for a reason.”

Despite the progress, Siegel said, there are challenges that Israel continues to face, including Hezbollah and Hamas threatening the Gaza strip with 100,000 rockets.

Iran’s race for nuclear weapons is also a threat since the nation continues to call for Israel’s destruction, he said.

In the midst of chaos, war and polarization between Middle Eastern countries, including two Egyptian revolutions, political progress is being made, he said. Israel, in partnership with the United States, is in the ninth round of negotiations with Palestinian leaders over land disputes and other issues.

Siegel voiced support for the United States’ efforts to remove chemical weapons from Syria.

“I hope through the twists and turns of diplomacy, chemical weapons will be taken out,” he said.

Siegel praised the anti-missile defense systems developed in Israel with the help of the U.S. He said the new technology has “miraculously saved lives.”

Despite constant threats, Israel recently experienced its best month in tourism since 1947.

“The Middle East may be unraveling, but Israel is not,” he said.

Economically, Israel is among the most prosperous in the world, according to Siegel. He said there are more startup businesses per capita in Israel than in any other place in the world, and the country has more money invested in research and development than anywhere globally. Apple Computers is setting up shop in Israel—the first move for the company outside of California.

Siegel said Israel sells durum wheat to Italy for pasta production, snowblowers to Russia and wine to France.

“We are the No. 1 country in the world for water management,” Siegel said.

Eighty percent of the water used in Israel is recycled. Spain is a distant second with water recycling in the low teens. California only recycles 5 percent of its water.

The audience asked questions about the push to stop settlements on Palestinian land, the growth of the Muslim population in Israel and whether sanctions against Iran are better than a full military offense.

Siegel said Israel’s stance is to increase worldwide political pressure on Iran because sanctions have been effective.

Agoura Hills Mayor Denis Weber was one of many city leaders to attend the event. Weber said Siegel’s talk was thought-provoking, and he was surprised to hear about so many negotiations with Palestinian leaders.

“I have to say the patience levels of the Israelis show when dealing with groups like the PLO ( Palestinian Liberation Organization), Hamas, Muslim Brotherhood, etc. (It) is amazing to me, when their very existence is threatened by the 100,000 missiles (and) rockets that are pointed at them every day from these same groups. May God continue to bless them,” he said.


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