Israeli President Reuven Rivlin participated in the opening session of the Yedioth Ahronoth/Ynet conference on combating BDS, Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, held in the Jerusalem International Conference Center on Monday.. The President spoke with Dr. Yoaz Hendel about the boycotts, their influence, and the possibilities to act against them.
During the session the President said, "We must distinguish between criticism and delegitimization when we deal with the BDS. Criticism can be given also among friends, but it is important to make sure that it does not turn into the delegitimization of Israel. The claims of the proponents of BDS and the organization's criticism, is based on a hatred and enmity of Israel, including anti-Semitic elements with regard to the right of Jews to return to their homeland."
The President went on to discuss the incident last week in Hevron, and the resulting criticism leveled against the IDF Chief of Staff. He said, "Those who allow systematic incitement do not recognize that it has no boundaries. We are in a democratic society but as democratic as it may be - we have red lines which cannot be crossed. The IDF is bound by the Military Justice Act and its rules are clear. It is important for me to stress that I sleep better knowing that Gadi Eizenkot is the IDF Chief of Staff. I trust our army, which is one of the most moral armies in the world and knows how to conduct itself and its actions with reason, wisdom, knowledge, and responsibility. Our army is not an army of mercenaries - it is an army made up of our children who guard our homes. I trust the army and its abilities to examine and draw conclusions."
Morning plenary speakers following the President were Defense Minister Gilad Erdan and World Jewish Congress President Ron Lauder. Dani Dayan made his first appearance as the newly appointed Chief Counsel in New York.
Throughout the day in panels and workshops, a long list of government officials participated. Among those in the photo essay are Head of Opposition Yitzhak Herzog, Yair Lapid, Naftali Bennett, Zippy Livni, and MK Michael Oren.
EU Ambassador to Israel, Lars Faaborg-Andersen participated on a panel with Dr Ronen Bergman moderating. Stressing the EU position for a two-state solution, Faaborg-Andersen said the EU was not supporting boycotts.
Yaakov Kirschen, the cartoonist behind Dry Bones, had some of his work on display in the halls. Michael Dickson, staff and supporters of StandWithUs, a sponsor of the conference, were on various panels throughout the day. Former MK Dov Lipman and Avi Abelow were among the hundreds who attended.
Special afternoon speaker was US comedienne Roseanne Barr, who is visiting Israel with her mother. Barr, a former Green Party Presidential candidate in the US, went from an anti-Israel position, to one of a vocal pro-Israel advocate. In her talk she stressed her Jewish roots and pride in speaking for Israel.
Sitting on an afternoon panel with Social Media professionals, Mark Hawala shared his unusual background. Raised as a Muslim to hate Jews, he later in life found out that his mother was Jewish. He now works with StandWithUs in their anti-BDS campaign.
