The Deputy Secretary General of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Haim ben Yakov has taken part in the yearly meeting of Jewish immigrants from Belarus. Several thousand people, including famous politicians, community activists, musicians, and journalists participated the already-traditional “Belarusskiy Les” (Belarusian Forest) event on April 12th. This is the 57th time that the Union of Jews of Belarusian Origin together with the “Block” Union of Jews from the Former Soviet Union have organized a wonderful festival of unity, friendship, and a general good mood.

Among the guests of the Forest were Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel Avigdor Lieberman, Minister of Tourism Stas Misezhnikov, Minister of Internal Security Yitzhak Aronovich, Minister of Absorption Sofa Landver, Knesset deputies from different parties, Ambassador of Belarus in Israel Igor Leschenya, and the President of the World Congress of Georgian Jews, EAJC Vice President Gabriel Mirilashvili, as well as many others. All of the speakers stressed that the long friendship between Israel and Belarus must continue developing, and noted that it is necessary to move towards canceling the visa regime between these two countries.
The legendary Pesnyary band, who played their greatest hits, was a special guest at the celebration.