Israel Today Conference Returns to New York to Test US Alliance

The Israel Today newspaper will host its second annual conference in New York City on November 11, focusing on the theme "The Alliance Tested." The conference, held a year after the first, will examine the future of relations between Israel and the United States, as well as the partnership with American Jewry, amidst significant political and regional shifts. The past year has presented crucial tests for the US-Israel alliance, highlighted by joint efforts against Iran, which demonstrated a deep security partnership and a shared willingness to confront the Iranian threat. However, the Gaza conflict and debates over Israeli policy have intensified political divisions in the US, making support for Israel a central issue in the lead-up to the midterm elections. The conference will take place shortly after the US midterm elections and Israeli elections, allowing for an analysis of their outcomes and implications for Israel. Discussions will cover the political landscape in Washington, Israel's position on the American agenda, and strategies for maintaining broad support for the bilateral alliance.

This year's conference will place a significant emphasis on economics and innovation. Israeli companies listed on Wall Street, entrepreneurs expanding their US operations, and cross-border investments will be central to discussions on growth, capital raising, and market expansion. The conference will also address defense industries, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, areas where Israeli expertise, American capital, and mutual needs converge. A key segment will be dedicated to American Jewry and its connection to Israel, addressing antisemitism, issues of identity and belonging, and the role of the younger generation in shaping the partnership. Leaders and emerging voices from the New York Jewish community will participate in conversations about the future of Jewish life in the US and its relationship with Israel.

Boaz Lachmanovitz, Editor-in-Chief of Israel Today, stated that the conference's timing, a week after the US midterms, is highly relevant. He noted that in a year marked by joint action against Iran alongside growing political polarization in the US regarding support for Israel, understanding the alliance's future is crucial. The conference aims to explore how to broaden consensus on supporting Israel, expand the partnership through economic and technological collaboration, and engage a younger generation of American Jews for whom the connection to Israel is no longer a given.