At last: an end to the WJC imbroglio
Forward: World Jewish Congress Drops Libel Suit.
Isi Leibler via email:
During these days of pain for the Jewish people, we must concentrate all our efforts towards supporting the State of Israel in its struggle against the forces of darkness.
I am therefore delighted that at long last, the WJC have come to their senses and have unconditionally retracted the $6 million libel suit launched against me in the Tel Aviv District Court.
The retraction is a triumph of sorts over a vindictive campaign which continued to embroil Jewish communities throughout the world in an utterly senseless ongoing scandal.
When the damning report from New York Attorney General Elliot Spitzer was released, I was totally vindicated. The report more than confirmed my concerns in relation to financial irregularities and prescribed the reforms to be implemented by the WJC, including the obligation of the chairman of the Governing Board to step down.
As far as I was concerned, that should have been the end of an unseemly scandal. I wrote to all WJC members expressing the hope that the "confrontations of the past will now be set aside in favor of constructive activity on behalf Klal Yisrael and the State of Israel", and urged the WJC to fully implement the fiscal and oversight reforms prescribed by the Attorney General to create a new regime based on governance and financial transparency.
Like many others, I was therefore appalled when, simultaneously with the release of the Attorney General's report, the WJC leaders launched a $6 million libel suit against me. I did not fear the consequences for myself personally because the Attorney General's report served as the best possible defense.
But I warned that a public trial would reignite the scandal in the media and impact negatively on Jewish communities and the image of the Jewish people. Regrettably, I was proven correct.
It is unfortunate that despite the growing negative publicity and the calls from their member communities to stop the action, the WJC only finally withdrew in the wake of the disaffiliation of the Australian Jewish Community from the WJC.
Needless to say, I wish to profusely thank all of you who encouraged and supported my struggle for financial transparency, accountability and governance.Having served the WJC for 40 years, I deeply regret that over the past two years, this self inflicted scandal has effectively undermined the organization. I genuinely hope that under new leadership and after implementation of the reforms prescribed by the New York Attorney General, a reformed and democratic WJC will resume its former role as a constructive vehicle for World Jewry, once more focusing on its mission and concentrating on the burning challenges now confronting the Jewish people.
Today the Jewish people stand at a crossroads. We must set aside all differences and concentrate on supporting Israel in its present confrontation with the advance of barbaric Islamic fundamentalism which represents a threat not only to Israel but to the entire civilized world.
Whilst we in Israel are on the front lines of this battle, this is also a time for Diaspora Jews to stand up and be counted. The solidarity missions, the public demonstrations and other activities designed to support Israel must be stepped up.
Isi Leibler, Jerusalem , 4 August 2006
Addendum: I will be donating all my legal costs to be recovered from the WJC to Emunah-Israel for their programs among children traumatized by the war in the north of Israel. (My wife Naomi is currently international president of World Emunah, the religious Zionist women's organization devoted to social welfare projects in Israel).
posted by Tzemach Atlas at 7:42 AM
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