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As international leaders gathered in New York City in September around the start of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Hadassah advocates showed up to speak out against antisemitism and anti-Israel bias at the UN and strengthen global collaboration to build bridges to peace. With a new secretary-general starting in January, the work of Hadassah advocates to build global collaboration to fight antisemitism and build bridges to peace is more critical than ever.
Meetings With Foreign Leaders
Hadassah leaders participated in discussions with mission leaders to the United Nations from Australia, Costa Rica, Cyprus and Israel. These conversations developed and deepened international partnerships to address critical issues like championing public health, fighting antisemitism globally and combating anti-Israel bias at the UN.
Hadassah CEO Ellen Finkelstein, National Board member and UN Team Leader Cheryl Sperber, and Director of Government Relations Elizabeth Cullen met with the Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the UN Boris Vasir Marchegiani Carrero.
“I'd like to believe that our individual meetings with foreign diplomats help move the needle in support of Israel and the Jewish people,” said Sperber. “Soft diplomacy and highlighting to people in power the impactful work that comes out of Israel and the Hadassah Medical Organization is one of the most satisfying things I do as a Hadassah volunteer.”
Sperber, Cullen and Frieda Unger Rosenberg, member of the National Board and UN Team, attended meetings with the Permanent Representative of Australia to the UN James Larsen, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cyprus to the UN Maria Michail, and the Counselor of Economic and Social Affairs at the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN, Nitzan Arny. Members of Hadassah’s UN Team also participated in meetings alongside Jewish community groups with the Latvian and Moldovan delegations to discuss rising anti-Israel bias and antisemitism at the UN.
"I was proud to represent Hadassah and sit at the table with representatives of other major Jewish organizations. I truly felt the power and strength of being a Hadassah leader. I was empowered to speak up," said Rosenberg.
Speaking Out Against the Durban Conference Commemoration
Twenty-five years ago, the World Conference against Racism met in Durban, South Africa, for a UN-sponsored meeting to address racism. Intended to unite countries in the fight against racism, the conference quickly devolved into a forum to vilify and isolate Israel, Jews and Zionists. The hatred and antisemitism on display have had long-reaching effects, contributing to the tsunami of global antisemitism of recent years.
In response to efforts at the 2026 UN General Assembly to commemorate the anniversary, Hadassah joined the UN-affiliated NGO Committee to End Antisemitism and Promote Peace (EASAPP) in a statement urging global leaders to decline events celebrating the Durban Conference on September 28. We were glad to see more than 40 countries choose not to attend.
International Task Force to Combat Antisemitism
Hadassah was also grateful to see Israel’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Danny Danon announce the creation of a new International Task Force on Combatting Antisemitism. This is a critical initiative which will work to identify emerging threats and make recommendations to address antisemitism at the UN and around the world.
What You Can Do
Read More About the Durban Conference Statement
