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Amid War, Panama Is An Unexpected Beacon of Hope for Pro-Israel Advocacy
This month, I was invited to a discussion with the Consul General of Panama in New York, Elias Levy, who is deeply rooted in Panamanian and Jewish heritage. Levy will be leaving his post on July 31.
During the meeting, I shared my concerns about the shocking rise in antisemitism across the world, and was to hear Levy felt the same and was working to combat the rise in hatred against Israel. Levy has had a strong connection to Israel from a young age, as he won the prestigious Chidon Ha-Tanach at the age of 12 in Panama, and represented Panama in Israel.
Reflecting on his time in New York, Levy told me he believes that most people do support Jews and Israel’s right to live in peace, but that the nefarious voices of the worst actors drown out the silent majority of the many.
As someone who represents a foreign government, and also has great love for the State of Israel, Levy feels that the lack of education and misconceptions about Israel as a beacon of religious freedom are concerning.
“People don’t realize that Israel is a country with total freedom where you can practice any religion and enjoy LGBT rights. Many individuals think being against someone is a trend, such as being antisemitic. People see Israel and Gaza as strong versus weak. As Jews, we always pray for peace, and our desire is for peace in the region, including with all of Israel’s neighbors. I am sure Israel can achieve peace with the Palestinians when given the opportunity. However, for peace to happen, both parties need to truly want it.” Levy shared.
Levy’s goal is to create safe places for Jewish faith and culture to thrive without fear or discrimination, as seen in Panama, where the Jewish community lives peacefully among other cultures and coexists harmoniously with other religions.
Relations between Panama and Israel have been strong for decades. Recent highlights include a Free Trade Agreement in 2018, and strong support for Israel after the Hamas massacre of October 7. Levy’s statement also reflects Panama’s position that there can’t be a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, until there is a true partner for peace in the region.
Levy told me that the Jewish population of Panama is approximately 16,000, and the educational landscape has evolved to encompass five Jewish schools dedicated to nurturing a profound sense of cultural identity and Jewish heritage. I didn’t know that Panama was such a strong beacon of support for Israel — and hope that many Jews and people who support Israel come to learn about the ties between the two countries, and support Panama, just as Panama has supported Israel.
Levy’s message inspired me. I hope the horrific rise in antisemitism is a trend that will pass, and until then, Israelis and Jews in the United States — and in Panama — will continue to raise our voices and stand strong together to bring light and pride to our Jewish spirit.
Ayelet Raymond is an Israel activist, and the creative force behind the @Kosher_Barbie character and social media personality.
The post Amid War, Panama Is An Unexpected Beacon of Hope for Pro-Israel Advocacy first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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PA Security Forces End Standoff with Jenin Battalion, Enter West Bank Camp
Illustrative. Palestinian demonstrators call for an end to clashes between Palestinian security forces and terrorists in Jenin, in the West Bank, Dec. 16, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta
i24 News – The Palestinian Authority on Friday reached an agreement with the jihadists of the Jenin Battalion, ending a six-week standoff in the northern West Bank terror hotbed.
The Jenin Battalion is a local jihadist militia affiliated with Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.
The PA’s engineering and civil defense crews will begin dismantling explosives planted across Jenin, Palestinian media reported.
A Palestinian security source told i24NEWS that not a single weapon has been handed over by the Jenin Battalion to PA security forces.
The post PA Security Forces End Standoff with Jenin Battalion, Enter West Bank Camp first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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With Hamas Yet to Name 3 First Hostages to Be Released, Netanyahu Slams Violation of Agreement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference in Jerusalem, Sept. 2, 2024. Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg/Pool via REUTERS
i24 News – Hamas violated the terms of its agreement with Israel even before the ceasefire went into effect, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pointed out on Saturday.
The jihadist group failed to submit to Israel the names of the three hostages slated to be freed on Sunday, in contravention to the terms of the ceasefire stipulating that this information be communicated 24 hours in advance.
“We will not move forward with the outline until we receive the list of hostages to be released, as agreed. Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement,” Netanyahu said some three hours after the names should have been submitted. “The sole responsibility lies with Hamas.”
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US Slaps Sanctions on Yemeni Bank with Ties to Houthis
Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi addresses followers via a video link at the al-Shaab Mosque, formerly al-Saleh Mosque, in Sanaa, Yemen, Feb. 6, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
i24 News – The US on Friday imposed sanctions on a Yemen-based financial institution that Washington accused of financially supporting the Houthis, as President Joe Biden’s administration sought to further pressure the Iran-backed jihadists before Biden leaves office.
The US Treasury Department said it imposed sanctions on Yemen Kuwait Bank, accusing it of helping the Houthis exploit the Yemeni banking sector to launder money and transfer funds to allies, including fellow Iranian proxy Hezbollah.
In addition to numerous attacks on Israel’s civilian centers since November 2023, the Houthis have carried out more than 100 attacks on ships, sinking two vessels, seizing another and killing at least four seafarers. The intensity of the attacks has disrupted global shipping and prompted route changes.
The attacks have disrupted international commerce, forcing some ships to take the long route around southern Africa rather than the Suez Canal, leading to increases in insurance rates, delivery costs and time that stoked global inflation fears.
The Houthis, a fundamentally antisemitic jihadist group, seized power in Yemen in late 2014 and control most parts of the country including the capital Sanaa.
The post US Slaps Sanctions on Yemeni Bank with Ties to Houthis first appeared on Algemeiner.com.