The session of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress General Council has began its work on November 24, 2011, in the Jerusalem hotel “Citadel of David.” Holding important Congress events in Israel has become a Congress tradition, and is a way to show the solidarity of the Jews of the Euro-Asian region with the Jewish state. This was stressed by EAJC Secretary General Michael Chlenov, who spoke on the night before the opening session with a group of American Evangelical Christians who support the Jewish state. The meeting with American allies of Israel took place in Knesset, and a delegation of EAJC leaders took part in it. Another traditional event before the session was the visit of EAJC General Council members to the Wailing Wall.

In the morning before the official opening of the session, EAJC General Council members lef by Michael Chlenov and General Concil Chairman Josef Zisels visited the Jerusalem city hall, where they met with the mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat.

The head of the capital of Jerusalem greeted the participants of the session “at home,” because, as Barkat said, “Jerusalem was, is, and remains a city that belongs to all Jews.” The mayor thanked the members of the Congress for their solidarity with Israel, gave a short speech on the development of the city as he sees it, and expressed his readiness to support any joint project with the Congress aimed to strengthen the ties between Diaspora Jews and the capital of the Jewish state.

At the opening of the session, an address from Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu was read by Spokesman Alex Selsky. In his address, the leader of the cabinet thanked the EAJC leadership for their decision to hold the session in Jerusalem. The Prime Minister also stated that he is “impressed by Congress activity in strengthening Jewish self-awareness in Jewish communities of Eastern Europe and Asia.” The Prime Minister stressed, “Your successes in strengthening the ties between these communities and Israel deserve respect and thanks.”

Many guests of honor participated in the opening of the EAJC General Council session, including JADI leader Natan Sharansky, Head of the Liaison Bureau Lishkat Hakesher Naomi Ben-Ami, head of the Russian Cultural Center in Tel-Aviv Alexander Kryukov, and the head scientist of the Ministry of Absorption Zeev Hanin.

The session was opened and led by Josef Zisels, and Michael Chlenov gave the report on EAJC activity. The most important task of the session was the discussion of the candidate for new EAJC President.