RABBI HIER, JEWISH LEADERS MEET WITH ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER OLMERT

Rabbi Marvin Hier, the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Dean and Founder, along with forty Jewish leaders, met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert today in Washington, D.C..  Additionally, Rabbi Hier, Rabbi Meyer H. May, Wiesenthal Center Executive Director, and Brian Greenspun, Wiesenthal Center Trustee, were among the select dignitaries attending Prime Minister Olmert’s historic speech delivered to a joint session of the United States Congress.

Prime Minister Olmert told the Jewish leaders that although Israel is a small country with a small population, unlike large and highly populated countries such as China or India, the President of the United States found it important enough to meet for six hours because of his commitment to Israel’s welfare, security, and future existence.

He added that when he entered the U.S. Congress and saw everyone standing and applauding, he realized that the applause was not for him, but rather for the State of Israel and the Jewish people, a realization that left him choked with emotion. The Prime Minister said he saw this as a clear indication of how the U.S., the most powerful country and the greatest democracy in the world, respects and honors the Jewish nation.

Prime Minister Olmert shared that in the meeting with President Bush, a significant part of the discussion dealt with Iran, and that the President fully understood the serious nature of the situation. He added that with Iran on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons, this poses a threat to the peace and security of the entire world, not just to Israel, adding that Iran would likely share these nuclear weapons with other terrorist groups as well.

Olmert, who received numerous standing ovations during his speech, reiterated that Israel is ready to negotiate with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas stating, “From this podium today, I extend my hand in peace to Mahmoud Abbas, the elected president of the Palestinian Authority.” The Prime Minister also restated that he would not consider contacts with the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority. And, on the Middle East peace process, he said, “The road map was and remains the right plan.”

Olmert also praised Congress for legislation known as the "Iran Freedom and Support Act" that would further isolate Iran.

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