Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) Deputy Secretary General Haim Ben Yakov participated in a special meeting and ceremony on the launch of a new parliamentary lobby, the goal of which is to develop ties between the State of Israel and the communities of the Diaspora. The creators of the new lobby plan to pass new laws and support joint projects between the State of Israel and the Jewish communities of the Diaspora, which will strengthen these communities.

Among those present at the ceremony were Knesset Chairman Reuven Rivlin, Diaspora Minister Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, JAFI leader Natan Sharansky, Chairman of the Parliamentary Alyah, Absorption, and Diaspora Committee Dani Danon, and dozens of Knesset deputies hailing both from the coalition and the opposition. Knesset deputies Ze'ev Elkin and Nachman Shai became co-chairmen of the lobby.

Results of a study held by the Dahav Institute for Social Opinion Research were presented at the meeting. The goal of the study was to ascertain the importance of ties with Jewish communities of the Diaspora for citizens of Israel, as well as the importance of these ties for strengthening both Israel and these communities. The results of the poll show that most Israelis (75%) believe that mutual moral obligations exist between the Israelis and the Jews of the Diaspora. 91% of the respondents believe that the State of Israel must aid Diaspora communities facing economic and political hardship, as well as those that suffer from anti-Semitism. 91% believe that the Jews of the Diaspora will support Israel in case of a confrontation, whether with Iran or in any other regional conflict. 95% believe that supporting the Jews of the Diaspora is very important for the Israelis politically, and that 86% believe that it is important economically, as well. 23% believe that the ties between Israel and the Diaspora weaken as time passes, 12% believe that these ties are strengthening. 81% believe that the Israelis and the Jews of the Diaspora feel themselves to be one people, and 96% think that visits of youth from Diaspora countries through such programs as MASA and Taglit are very important. 74% believe in the importance of visits of young Israelis to Diaspora communities.

EAJC leaders hold intensive consultations aimed at creating joint programs to teach the Jewish tradition, to aid the spiritual and cultural closeness of Congress communities and the State of Israel, augment interfaith and inter-cultural dialogue, and to counteract anti-Semitism in all possible forms. EAJC is a traditional and reliable partner in Jewish education, academic scholarship, and the preparation of professional and educational literature.