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Euroasian Jewish News
Post-Soviet Jewish Group Awarded Top Israeli Prize.
24.06.2006
 Chairman of the influential Jewish group active on the territory of a post-Soviet nation has been awarded a top prize of the Israeli government for his contribution to the cause of the Keren Hayesod United Israel Appeal foundation.
Alexander Machkevitch, chairman of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress received the Yakir Keren Hayesod Award at an international conference held this month in Tel Aviv under the aegis of the United Israel Appeal, the EAJC reports.
The Yakir Keren Hayesod Award is given to public figures, in recognition of their commitment and volunteerism, as well as to those who have distinguished themselves by their contribution towards promoting the aims and goals of Keren Hayesod, both in Israel and throughout the Jewish world. It was established in 1998 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the State of Israel.
Alexander Machkevitch is the first winner of the Yakir Keren Hayesod Award who heads a Jewish group with a head office in a former Soviet state. Earlier, the award was conferred on former Israeli PM Yitzhak Shamir, Nobel Prize winner and vice-PM Shimon Peres, prominent politicians and charity makers.
"I see that award as a recognition not only of my work but also of an enormous contribution made by our brethren from the former Soviet Union to the creation and prosperity of the modern State of Israel," EAJC chairman told the press.
Machkevitch, named the president of Keren Hayesod in the post-Soviet states (the CIS), has been working tirelessly to pioneer the UIA's campaigns and is seen as an example of the foresight, creativity, courage and dedication which has always characterized Keren Hayesod - United Israel Appeal's leaders and is thus a most worthy recipient of the Yakir Keren Hayesod Award, Keren Hayesod said on its official website.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met EAJC President and other winners of the award to discuss the geopolitical situation around the globe and in the Middle East. The Israeli leader set forth his government's plans towards further Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. The award winners also met with Shimon Peres to discuss economic and humanitarian aspects of the pullout plan. Peres' initiative to establish special economic zones along Israeli-Palestinian border was later examined during talks with Minister of Infrastructure Benjamin Ben Elieser.
Other issues discussed included prospects of the international dialogue between Jews and Muslims launched in Kazakhstan, visited by Peres recently. "Contacts with the Israeli leaders have convinced us that this dialogue must continue in the future, at the support of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. We maintain that dialogue in many regions and on all levels," Machkevitch concluded.
MOSNEWS.COM
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