Netanyahu not invited to largest annual gathering of North American Jewish leaders in US

For the first time in many years of Benjamin Netanyahu’s tenure as Prime Minister of Israel, he has been denied an invitation to address the annual conference of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). The event is set to be held this week in Washington DC.

Instead, President Isaac Herzog will represent the state of Israel at the largest annual gathering of North American Jewish leaders.

When asked why an invitation had not been extended to Netanyahu, a spokesperson for the JFNA said,"No comment."

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This is the first major sign of discontent towards Netanyahu and his policies that even Jewish legacy organisations like the JFNA, which have typically refrained from criticising the Israeli prime minister publicly, have snubbed him this time.

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Last year when the JFNA General Assembly was held in April, the annual event was held in Tel Aviv, to mark Israel’s 75th anniversary.

In 2023 as well, there were reports that people might block roads near the venue where the conference as anti-government protests were hot at that time.

Therefore, to avoid the optics disaster, Netanyahu cancelled his in-person address at the confab.

At the time, the focus of the protest movement was the Netanyahu government's planned attempt to eviscerate the judiciary.

A poll commissioned by the JFNA in April found that while American Jews overwhelmingly support Israel, nearly two out of three were uncomfortable with actions taken by its government.

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This year's lineup of speakers includes Sheryl Sandberg, the former senior Facebook executive; television personality Meghan McCain, the daughter of the late John McCain; and Mark Mellman, the Democratic pollster and political strategist.

The annual assembly will kick start a few hours after a big rally in support of the state of Israel, organised by both the JFNA and the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organisations. The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday (Nov 17). Around 30,000 participants are expected to gather at the event.

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Notably, this is the first big Jewish event since the result of the US presidential election and also marks a year since the big march for Israel that took place last year in Washington – a month after the October 7 massacre.

Though the rally titled "Stand Together," is meant to be a show of Jewish unity and solidarity, several left-leaning Jewish organisations that participated last year will not show up for this one.

(With inputs from agencies)