The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) commemorated Hanukkah and the 74th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Partition Plan during an event at the residence of Guatemalan Ambassador to the US, H.E. Alfonso Quiñónez. The historic event, the first-ever Hanukkah party held by a Latin American embassy in the US, was attended by ambassadors and high-level diplomats from Argentina, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Israel.

At the event Combatting Antisemitism Movement, honored Pastor Mario Bramnick, President of Latino Coalition for Israel with the 2021 “Latino Defender of Israel Award.”

At the event Pastor Bramnick stated “anti-Semitism and the BDS Movement are not just anti-Jewish, they are anti-Christian, anti-American and anti-Western.” “We honor CAM for its work combatting anti-Semitism and for education and mobilization in facing anti-Semitism in their countries.” We must adopt a zero-tolerance approach to this new wave of anti-Semitism.

Ambassador Quiñónez noted the long commitment that Guatemala has with Israel, stretching back to the Partition Plan, and being one of the first nations to recognize the State of Israel and move their embassy to Jerusalem. He added that they were the second nation after the US to return their embassy to Jerusalem in 2018. The Ambassador also mentioned his country’s ongoing commitment to fighting antisemitism.

Deputy Head of Mission of Israel to the US Benjamin Krasna also mentioned the significance of the support of Latin American countries in the crucial vote at the UN 74 years ago, even under tremendous pressure. “There are times when diplomats must make the right decision to support Israel, even if it is not diplomatic,” Deputy Head of Mission Krasna said.

CAM Director of Hispanic Outreach Shay Salamon stated “After the recent launch of its Hispanic Outreach Department, CAM looks forward to expanding its ties throughout the Americas and working collaboratively with its partners there to further the mission of defeating the world’s oldest hatred,” Salamon said. “Let’s not be indifferent, we have responsibilities as representatives of our countries, of our organizations, but above all as human beings. Let us illuminate the world with the colors of hope, tolerance, and fraternity,” he added.

Deputy Head of Mission of Israel to the US Benjamin Krasna also mentioned the significance of the support of Latin American countries in the crucial vote at the UN 74 years ago, even under tremendous pressure. “There are times when diplomats must make the right decision to support Israel, even if it is not diplomatic,” Deputy Head of Mission Krasna said.

CAM Director of Hispanic Outreach Shay Salamon stated “After the recent launch of its Hispanic Outreach Department, CAM looks forward to expanding its ties throughout the Americas and working collaboratively with its partners there to further the mission of defeating the world’s oldest hatred,” Salamon said. “Let’s not be indifferent, we have responsibilities as representatives of our countries, of our organizations, but above all as human beings. Let us illuminate the world with the colors of hope, tolerance, and fraternity,” he added.

“I stand here tonight to entreat each of you do what is in your power to not allow the one country on earth which threatens to commit genocide against the Jews, to attain the very weapons they need to carry out that threat,” said Ellie Cohanim, LCI Board Member and Advisor to CAM and former Deputy Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism at the United States Department of State.

LCI Board Members Elli Cohanim, Connie Wilson, Sammy Eppel and Leopoldo Martinez also attended.

 

The Latino Coalition for Israel’s vision is to engage and activate Hispanics in the Pro-Israel movement to counter the global rise of antisemitism and the Campaign to Delegitimize the Nation of Israel and to engage heads of state of Latin American countries to move their Embassies to Jerusalem. Our vision is to establish the largest Pro-Israel Hispanic entity:  The Latino Coalition for Israel (LCI).