For the first time ever, a former Member of Knesset and chief of Israel’s security agency will be the keynote speaker at the Israel Action Forum. Sponsored by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the event features The Honorable Avi Dichter Tuesday night, Dec. 9, at the White Theatre on the Jewish Community Campus.
Dichter served under several Israeli prime ministers — as Minister of Security under PM Ehud Olmert, and Minister of Home Front Defense under Benjamin Netanyahu. He is probably best known, however, as director of the Israeli security agency, also known as Shin Bet, from 2000-05.
Given last summer’s war in Gaza, followed by terrorism in Jerusalem and the menacing threat of ISIS on the Syrian border and Hezbollah on the Lebanese border, this presentation from one of Israel’s most respected security experts will provide insight into Israel’s current challenges, which also includes Iran, a country on the verge of nuclear capability.
“We are so excited to bring the Seventh Forum to the JCC and the White Theatre,” said Bonnie Siegel, AIPAC Kansas City Council chair. “The AIPAC Forum has grown to be a very anticipated community event, drawing upon those committed to the strength and importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship.”
Dichter restructured the Shin Bet to deal with an upsurge in Palestinian terrorism during the second intifada. His efforts led to a dramatic reduction in the number of terrorist attacks and to a restoration of public morale and safety. During his tenure, he also planned and improved both the defensive West Bank security barrier and the offensive tools and methods of operation to prevent terrorist attacks.
In addition, Dichter was a member of the Knesset from 2006-12 and was chairman of the sub-committee for Security Conception and Power Building, as well as a member of the prime minister’s security cabinet until the elections of 2013.
Dichter served as head of the service’s Southern Division, which includes Gaza, and as head of its Security and Protection Division, where he protected dignitaries, aviation routes, embassies and strategic information. He assumed this position 19 years ago, immediately after Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated.
The Dec. 9 program begins at 7 p.m. with Dichter and an educational segment about AIPAC. It will be preceded by a Leadership Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres Reception at 5:45 p.m. in the lobby of the White Theatre. The leadership reception is exclusively for AIPAC Club members who have invested at the 2015 Washington Club level or above. For more information about joining the Washington Club, call Midwest AIPAC Director Brad Fahlgren at 312-253-8997.
AIPAC is the only American organization whose principal mission is to lobby the U.S. government about legislation that strengthens the relationship between America and Israel. AIPAC has broadened that bond by working to secure vital aid for Israel — as evidenced by the Iron Dome, which protected Israeli citizens from the thousands of rockets launched by Hamas from Gaza. AIPAC promotes strategic cooperation between the two nations, works with Congress to develop sound anti-terrorist policies and to stop rogue nations such as Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability.
The more than 100 Kansas Citians who attended the 2014 AIPAC Policy Conference can attest to the strength of that bipartisan cooperation in Congress.
“It’s remarkable to be a part of a large Kansas City delegation,” said Forum Co-Chair Lisa Bernard. “It was a highlight to lobby our elected officials. We bonded as a community of pro-Israel supporters, regardless of political identification. Policy Conference is invigorating. The opportunity to learn from the best and brightest from Israel, from members of Congress and the administration, from authors, historians and experts in so many areas is just one benefit of participating.”
The other benefit, she added, “is meeting so many like-minded Israel activists from all across America — but, most importantly, are those right here in Kansas City who support the effort!”
Information about the March1-3, 2015, Policy Conference will be available at the Dec. 9 event. Advance reservations for the Forum are preferred. The cost is $25; $5 for students. For more information, call Haddassah Mendoza-Elias at 312-253-8983 or email her at . To register online, visit: www.aipac.org/KCIsraelActionForum. RSVPs are requested by Dec. 1.