Israeli president recognizes his background

Israeli President Moshe Katsav addressed a Eurasian Jewish Congress delegation that arrived in Jerusalem for the 34th congress of the World Zionist Organization. He said, "We all originate from former Soviet countries."

The solidarity and friendship of Israel with Jewish communities of the diaspora were also touched upon at other official meetings organized in the network of the Eurasian Jewish Congress in Israel. Two explosions sounded in Jerusalem during short visit of thedelegation, and number of victims of Palestinian terror has increased.

President of the Eurasian Jewish Congress Alexander Mashkevich and his colleagues met with pupils in Jerusalem area of Gilo; the pupils were accidental eyewitnesses of the tragedy. Alexander Mashkevich said that congress members felt for the Israeli people with their whole hearts. During the visit to Jerusalem, the congress was blessed by Chief Rabbi Eliyahu Bakshi Doron for further activity, the latter in his turn promised to pay a response visit to Kazakhstan in the nearest future. Alexander Mashkevich is head of the Kazakhstan Jewish community.

Translated by Maria Gousseva

Read the original in Russian: http://www.pravda.ru/cis/2002/06/25/43168.html