Opening Gala Of Conference Of Presidents Of Major American Jewish Organizations’ (Video & Photo Essay)

By BJLIfe/Sharon Altshul
Posted on 02/15/26

Jerusalem, Israel  - Feb. 15, 2026 - Led by Conference of Presidents Chair Betsy Berns Korn and CEO William C. Daroff, the delegation, representing the Conference’s 50-member organization and guests, rose to welcome Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who gave the keynote address at the Opening gala of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations’ 51st Leadership Mission to Israel tonight in Jerusalem. 

Against a backdrop of regional tensions in a changing Middle East, and an alarming rise in antisemitism in the United States and globally, seventy key U.S. Jewish leaders are convening this week, February 15–19, at the Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem for the Conference of Presidents’ 51st Annual National Leadership Mission.

The Prime Minister spoke of his recent trip to the United States, as always, without notes. “I just had a very important meeting with President Trump.  The focus was on Iran. The President is determined to exhaust the possibilities of achieving an agreement.”

On Iran:  I expressed my skepticism of any deal with Iran because Iran is reliable on one thing – they lie and cheat.  But if a deal is reached, it must have several components that we believe are important for the security of Israel and the world.

First, all enriched material has to leave Iran.

Second, there should be no enrichment capability.  Not just stop the process, but dismantle the infrastructure that allows you to enrich.

Third, need to deal also with the question of ballistic missiles.  

And the fourth is to dismantle the axis of terror of Iran.

And finally, distrust and verify. Must have effective inspections for all of the above.

On Gaza: We had three goals– return the hostages, disarm and dismantle Hamas military capabilities, and third, dismantle Hamas governing capabilities.  The first has been achieved.

Hamas must give up its weapons.   The weapon that does the most damage is the AK-47.   Assault weapons.  There are 60,000 such weapons; they must go.

First, disarm Hamas.  Second, demilitarize Gaza.  We dismantled about 150 km of the 500 km of tunnels.   We’re giving the President’s plan a chance. It can be done the easy or hard way.  We hope for the easy way.  Because we know the human cost of war.  But that goal must be achieved.  And one way or another it will be.

Gaza will not pose a threat ever again to the State of Israel.

On the economy: After 2 years of war, our economy is growing rapidly, and our stock market is at an all-time high. The shekel vs the dollar is almost at a 30-year high.  Inflation is going down.

Israel is the number 2 cyber power in the world.  Israel receives more foreign investment in cybertech than any country aside from the United States. Will do the same in AI and quantum.  Israel is a juggernaut of innovation.

Israel is a very strong country coming out of the war.  Strong militarily, strong economically, strong technologically.  The United States just issued a memorandum describing its vision of alliances, and it called Israel “the model ally.”  We are willing to fight for ourselves.

With deep appreciation for American support over the years from both parties, we can afford to phase out the military aid.  Israel will support itself and does.  Over the next ten years, Israel will move from aid to partnership with the United States.  Our goal is to build an independent arms industry in Israel.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister said, "People are shocked by the rise of antisemitism.  But it’s not shocking if you look at the cycle of history."  He stressed, "The great change of Jewish history is the independent state with the power to roll back those attacks."  Fight back.  Do not cower, fight back. People respect those who respect themselves.  We have to fight back.  Silence will not help. To defeat antisemitism, we have to fight it. He concluded by advising the Jewish leaders, "Fight. Fight. Fight."