World Jewish Congress on anti-semitism, Palestinian elex

Описание: (10 Jan 2005)
1. Wide of conference room with Israel Singer at podium
2. Various of delegates
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Israel Singer, Chairman of the Governing Board, World Jewish Congress (WJC):
"The ultimate test of every democracy is the way it protects its minority not the way it treats its majority. European countries today have an obligation - with new immigration which we encourage and understand of different cultures to Europe - to make Europe a place that is safe for all of its citizens."
4. Singer at podium
5. Various of delegates debating controversy over financial allegations within WJC
6. Isi Leibler holding microphone in front of main stage
7. UPSOUND: (English) Delegate making statement into microphone
8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Isi Leibler, Outgoing Vice-President, World Jewish Congress
"I would like to have your approval to speak very briefly. This is a very democratic body. This is one of the most important issues facing the World Jewish Congress for a long time. There has been a total misrepresentation repeated here again and again. This was to be the first time, the first and only time, of presenting my side of the story."
9. Delegate making angry gestures
10. Wide of conference
11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Israel Singer, Chairman of the Governing Board, World Jewish Congress
"I was attacked and other people were attacked and I think this is a subject that will be dealt with by the Secretary General. I think it has been dealt with by his report. You can read his report. Thank you."
12. Singer surrounded by delegates and aides
13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Israel Singer, Chairman of the Governing Board, World Jewish Congress
"Let me put it like this way. I think the passing of Mr. Arafat has given a new fresh hope to the Middle East, and I think that the initiative of Mr. Sharon coming at the same time as well as Mr. Peres joining his government gives us a really great opportunity for a fresh start and that is what Mr. Bronfman (President of WJC) said in his speech today here and I find that there was a real support for that in the Jewish community and we called on the hope that we would be able to get support for that from the European Union and other international bodies and we really have more than a hope - a prayer - because what was going on for the last four years was hopelessness, violence and anger and that wasn't positive for anyone."
14. Close up document
15. Pan from speaker to delegates

STORYLINE:

A meeting of the World Jewish Congress in Brussels aimed at improving the fight against anti-Semitism was overshadowed by allegations of mismanagement of money at the organisation's New York headquarters.

The start of the two-day plenary assembly on Monday, which drew some 500 delegates from around the world, was thrown into turmoil, and dominated by heated debates between delegates over accountability of the WJC under President Edgar M. Bronfman and its handling of donated money.

The allegations have led to an informal investigation by the New York State Attorney General's office.

Outgoing WJC Vice President Isi Leibler last year called for an independent audit citing claims that some 1.5 million US dollars given to the WJC was secretly syphoned to a Swiss bank account.

Leibler and Daniel Lack, a lawyer formally worked for the WJC office in Geneva, said the office there was unaware of the account.

The money in question was given by Israel's Jewish Agency, a quasi-governmental organisation, which makes regular donations to fund the WJC.



announced reforms.

Leibler's comments to the assembly angered many delegates.









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