Top speakers for JNF
FORMER director of Mossad, Tamir Pardo, and former US ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, are set to appear exclusively in Australia at JNF’s annual campaign in September.
FORMER director of Mossad, Tamir Pardo, and former US ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, are set to appear exclusively in Australia at JNF’s annual campaign in September.
As the keynote speakers at the organisation’s gala dinners in Melbourne and Sydney, Pardo and Shapiro will bring their unique, insider perspectives on a tumultuous period that saw the proliferation of Middle Eastern conflicts and broader regional threats, including the Iran nuclear issue and tensions between Israel and the US administration.
Prior to joining Mossad in 1979, Pardo, who will appear solo at JNF’s Perth gala dinner, was a member of the IDF’s elite Sayeret Matkal unit and served under Yoni Netanyahu in the Entebbe rescue operation.
He then assumed positions in all levels of Mossad before leading as director from January 2011 until 2016.
JNF national president, Peter Smaller, commented, “We feel privileged to hear from someone who has had such an impact on Israel’s security and honoured that Tamir Pardo will headline the JNF campaign this year.”
Pardo’s term as director was characterised by a significant expansion in intelligence and operational cooperation with foreign countries. Under his watch, Mossad received five Israel Security Awards for groundbreaking operations that reinforced its international reputation among world leaders.
JNF CEO Dan Springer noted, “Pardo is a renowned expert on global security challenges, including cyber threats and the changing nature of conflict. He will share with JNF audiences his insightful analysis of the present, a bold vision for the future and personal stories from an illustrious and colourful career.”
Shapiro’s professional life has been similarly distinguished. As part of his lifelong commitment to the Jewish homeland, Shapiro spent six years representing the Obama administration in Israel. Holding his post up until January of this year, the former ambassador negotiated the $38 billion Memorandum of Understanding for US military aid to Israel, conducted outreach to Israel’s diverse communities, and boosted US–Israel trade by 40 per cent.
“Having so recently vacated the role, Dan’s perspectives on the relationship between the US and Israel (where he still resides) and recent trends in both countries, will be of particular interest,” commented Springer.
Pardo and Shapiro will attend JNF’s annual campaign dinners in Melbourne on September 3 and Sydney on September 6. Pardo will attend the Perth function on September 7. For more information, visit www.jnf.org.au or call 1300 563 563.
SOPHIE DEUTSCH
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