Volume 67, Issue 4  

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Addresses Yeshiva Stresses the International Body’s Importance

by Alan Goldsmith

In the past, Yeshiva has hosted a litany of prominent Israeli figures ranging from President Moshe Katzav, to Education Minister Limor Livnat, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau and, on numerous occasions, former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to deliver on-campus lectures. And, this month, we can add another name to the list.

On October 16th, with security on high alert, Dr. Yehuda Lancry, the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, addressed a Lamport Auditorium crowd at the behest of the Israel The ambassador spoke about the complex, multi-faceted and yet vital relationship that Israel shares with the world’s most celebrated international body.  

The evening began with renditions of Hatikva and the Star Spangled Banner by Yeshiva College junior Daniel Pollock and former Yeshiva College Student Council President Lou Shapp.  Following the anthems,Yeshiva College junior Gavri Butler proceeded to introduce Yeshiva President and Rosh Hayeshiva Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, who agreed to attend the event on short notice much to the Israel Club’s delight.

The President welcomed Lancry, highlighting that Yeshiva students are “people whose hearts and minds are intimately bound up with Israel.”  Criticizing those in Europe and American academia, who spew anti-Semitism masked as anti-Israel rhetoric, Rabbi Lamm emphasized, “If you want to find one group of people that represents all these variants of anti-Semitism, look only to the UN.”

Yeshiva’s President then compared the ambassador to Avraham Avinu, by making reference to the forefather’s versatile roles as wanderers, men of peace and military warriors. “Israel has such a man in Ambassador Yehuda Lancry,” Rabbi Lamm exclaimed. “Facing the well of ill-wishers in the UN, he does not flinch… Right now we are against the world and the world is against us. (Lancry) has the onerous duty and great privilege to speak for Israel at the UN.”

Taking the podium to resonant applause, Lancry, who holds a doctorate in French literature from the University of Nice and previously served as the Israeli Ambassador to France, delved directly into the topic that he was asked to address by the Israel Club: why Israeli membership in the United Nations matters.  The ambassador responded by noting, “I can feel a sense of bitterness and frustration which is reflected in the question itself.  We believe the UN was established for a genuinely noble purpose, and a vision which is quite close to the Jewish position; namely, that in the words of (the prophet) Yeshaya, ‘nations do not learn war any more.’ They have also… acted to ameliorate the suffering of humanity,” he explained.  Lancry compared these efforts to the Jewish belief in tikkun olam, maintaining that Jews could not be indifferent to the UN’s actions in these areas. “We can’t be a light unto the nations if we decide to divorce ourselves from the nations.”

Competing philosophies aside, Lancry asserted that the Jewish State has a far more practical reason for participating in the UN. “Israel, from its inception… had a vested interest in the creation of an international mechanism that could ensure international and human law as an accepted rule for all the nations,” stated Lancry. “Further, the UN, in a way, gave birth to the State of Israel, and that is maybe the positive that makes Israel’s membership in the UN a moral one.”

After the speech, Lancry fielded questions.  Because of technical difficulties questioners were forced leave their seats and walk to within hearing range to put forward their questions.  Many students also complained about not being able hear the ambassador clearly.

Though many students enjoyed the speech, heavy rainfall was said to have accounted for a turnout that did not come close to the 950-person capacity that greeted Netanyahu about a year ago.  Although an estimated 400 people were in attendance, the number was dominated by Wilf Campus students and included few rabbis, faculty members, and administrators.

Mordechai Raskas, Yeshiva College Senior and President of the Israel Club, was pleased with the remarks. “It was an excellent speech,” enthused Raskas. “He directly addressed the subject at hand and he didn’t just give generalities. It’s important for the student body to know that there’s many good reasons why Israel needs to be a part of the United Nations.”

Butler mused that it was easier for the ambassador to speak at an Orthodox institution. “He wouldn’t have to worry about having to field tough questions regarding settlements and other controversial issues,” said Butler.

Sy Syms Sophomore Ari Wainberg had nothing but expressed high regard for the speaker and his responsibilities. “His role is an important one, and his presentation is integral to Israel’s defense,” said Weinberg. “Upon witnessing firsthand his determination and strength, I realize that Israel’s public image is not the fault of its representation but is caused by infectious anti-Semitism in the international community.”

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