Anti-Israel Protesters in New York (AP)
Dani Dayan, former head of the Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria, was chosen as the next Israeli consul general in New York, where he plans to join public diplomacy efforts against BDS.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Dani Dayan, former head of the Yesha Council – an umbrella organization representing the Jewish municipalities in Judea and Samaria (and formerly Gaza) – as the next Israeli consul general in New York.
“This is an important statement to the world,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely. “The State of Israel is blessed with a worthy representative living in the communities of Judea and Samaria who will carry an important message in accordance with the government of Israel, standing behind Danny as a faithful and worthy representative of the country.”
Dayan’s appointment to the position is significant in light of the recent controversy surrounding his prior nomination to be Israel’s ambassador to Brazil. The appointment faced strong opposition from officials in Brazil due to Dayan’s residence and position of leadership in Judea and Samaria, where Israel has been pressured by the international community to freeze construction.
Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely says the appointment of Judea and Samaria leader Dani Dayan is “an important statement to the world.” (Hadas Parush/Flash90)
“The Yesha Council congratulates Dani Dayan on the the occasion of his appointment as consul general in New York,” Yesha Council Chairman Yigal Dilmoni told Tazpit Press Service (TPS). “Dayan is a man of human values, with rich experience in public and international diplomacy… We are confident that Dayan will fill the role in a professional and ethical manner and will faithfully represent and serve the State of Israel, its citizens and its policies.”
Oded Revivi, senior member of the Yesha Council and mayor of the Judean city of Efrat, said that Dayan is a “true Israeli statesman who represents all of Israel. People from across the political spectrum admire him for his unwavering moral compass and strong character. Dani will make a fine consul general in New York and will continue to represent our nation at the highest level.”
Dayan told TPS that he sees himself as being in a unique position to assume such a task in the United States. “I believe that I can manage respectful dialogue with all shades of American society,” he said. “I speak the Spanish language, which will allow me to have direct contact with Hispanics… and just as important, and perhaps most important, with all layers of Jewish society in New York and North America.”
Dayan also mentioned that his primary mission as will be to help Israel in the public diplomacy arena.
“My main task will be advocacy-oriented,” Dayan continued. “I will volunteer in the already existing effort of legislative initiatives against BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against Israel), even at the federal level.”
In a gradually growing trend, a number of states across the U.S. have passed legislation penalizing businesses that work with the BDS movement. Dayan believes that he can bring the trend to New York.
“It is certain that legislation against BDS in the State of New York will be a strategic achievement, and I believe we will achieve it,” Dayan said. “We will not give up at all on presenting the position of the State of Israel and of the Israeli government.”
By: Jonathan Benedek/TPS