The Jerusalem Leaders Summit public policy conference will return to Israel’s capital for the third time on Sunday, bringing together government, academia, business and policy leaders to advance solutions to 21st-century economic concerns, global threats and security challenges.
The summit is organized by Virginia-based International Leaders Summit, an independent think tank co-founded by Joel Anand Samy and Natasha Srdoc, which leads a coalition within America and partnering countries to strengthen the rule of law, advance economic freedom and expand free and fair trade.
Its organizers are optimistic that the meeting will strengthen economic, security, technology and trade ties between Israel and other rule of law nations, including the United States, India, United Kingdom and continental European countries.
“Without economic strength, there is no real military strength or security,” Samy told The Jerusalem Post. “It is all interconnected in how we safeguard our economies, borders and allow economic opportunities to individuals. That leads us to secure peace through strength.”
A high-level trade mission headed by Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant and other international conservative leaders will attend the conference. A new Mississippi law implemented in March by Bryant will allow the state treasury to invest up to $20 million in Israeli bonds.
“We have a new generation of leaders coming into power and many of them don’t remember the first or second world wars, the Vietnam War and don’t even understand the complexities of the Cold War. When it comes to Israel, we have noticed that American millennials, these new business leaders, have a very different perspective and understanding,” Samy said.
International Leaders Summit therefore seeks to engage new stakeholders from key groups, including Asian-American and Latino leaders, and US descendants of eastern European immigrants, to be more aware of Israel’s contribution to the world through technology, creativity and innovation.
“We cannot rely on peace in the Middle East without having Israel as a sovereign country that controls its borders. People understand that much more when they come here and see it by themselves.” Srdoc said. “The crucial importance of the Jerusalem Leaders Summit is bringing legislators, opinion makers and media leaders to Israel to see what is going on here.”
Samy and Srdoc are eager to expand their endeavor in the coming years to include not only stakeholders from the West, but also leaders from growing democracies in Asia that understand the importance of bolstering ties, uphold the rule of law and favor advancing economic opportunities for all.