Edgar Bronfman, Sr.
Edgar Bronfman, Sr.
Edgar Miles Bronfmanwas a Canadian-American businessman and philanthropist. He worked for his family drinks firm, Seagrams, eventually becoming president, treasurer and chief executive. As President of the World Jewish Congress, Bronfman is especially remembered for initiating diplomacy with the Soviet Union. This resulted in the legitimising of the Hebrew language in Russia, and major steps towards allowing Soviet Jews to practice their own religion and emigrate to Israel...
NationalityCanadian
ProfessionBusinessman
Date of Birth20 June 1929
CountryCanada
The most vexing problem Israel faces is its relations with its neighbors. From the inception of the state until today, Israelis have felt besieged, surrounded by enemies who want to make them disappear.
The principles governing Western democracies, of which Israel rightly considers itself a part, are based on the assurance that everyone has a vote, but also that the minority needs to yield to the wishes of the majority.
Much of what has gone wrong in the pursuit of Arab-Israeli peace is due to a lack of strong leadership, primarily among the Palestinians.
No one said anything to my face, but I constantly heard comments denigrating Jews.
My father put it right when he said: 'I don't get ulcers. I give ulcers.'
Maintaining control indefinitely over millions of Palestinians will inevitably lead to a demographic nightmare and cannot be sustained if Israel is to remain true to its founding principles.
A two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a region free of Iranian nukes are worthy goals that should be able to withstand public scrutiny in every Middle Eastern capital.
In politics, as in business, leadership is crucial.
In terms of defending Jews, I'm a Jew.
Making money is marvelous, and I love doing it, and I do it reasonably well, but it doesnt have the gripping vitality that you have when you deal with the happiness of human life and with human deprivation.
I remind everybody that the Sabbath was the Jewish gift to civilization.
Economic support from the rest of the Arab states to the fledgling Palestinian Authority in the West Bank is virtually non-existent.
I would like every Jew to be as comfortable in his skin as I am in mine.
Contrary to many of the rumors and innuendo in circulation, I wholeheartedly believe that Obama views Israels security as absolute.