The outgoing Israeli Consul General, Rehaveam Amir, said here that “no other city (in the diaspora) can gratify a Jew or an Israeli as much as New York.” The 55-year-old Amir this week leaves the post he has held during the past three years to assume the Israeli Ambassadorship in Thailand. He commented in an interview with a Jewish Telegraphic Agency reporter that the inspiration which Israel provides for American Jewry, particularly New York Jewry, has become apparent during his service here, noting that American Jews are Israel’s greatest source of support, friendship and solidarity. But even more important, he said, is the factor of mutual “identification” between Israeli and American Jew, especially since the 1967 Six-Day War. When questioned as to any possible improvements he might suggest for the Jewish community here. Amir said he thought there could be greater “kehila” or community, and unity amongst New York branches of national Jewish organizations. Amir, who will be taking his wife and two daughters with him to Thailand, described Israeli-Thai relations as “friendly.” With Israel seeking to profit economically from an East Asian ally as well as share its technical and scientific acumen with the Thai people, the Israeli embassy was established there in the late 1950’s. In addition to its diplomatic dealings, the embassy also has contact with that country’s 80 Jewish families and Amir hopes to establish a relationship with the 300 or so Jewish American servicemen stationed there. Amir concluded that “although we are pleased with our past achievements and acquaintances, we must always look forward to the future.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
