Despite controversial ties, Venezuelan president meets Jewish leaders

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro welcomes Jewish leaders at the governmental palace in a bid to “strengthen cooperation.”

Ties between the government and the Jewish community have faced roadblocks at times in the country.

“A good day of dialog for peace. Boosting the co-existence and the dialog of civilizations, of religions to consolidate our nation,” Maduro tweets after the meeting in Caracas, which was also attended by foreign affairs minister Delcy Rodriguez.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (C) is surrounded by sympathizers as he arrives at the polling station to vote in the legislative election, in Caracas, on December 6, 2015. (AFP PHOTO/LUIS ROBAYO / AFP / LUIS ROBAYO)
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro (C) is surrounded by sympathizers as he arrives at the polling station to vote in the legislative election, in Caracas, on December 6, 2015. (AFP PHOTO/LUIS ROBAYO / AFP / LUIS ROBAYO)

The Jewish delegation was led by Rabbi Isaac Cohen, spiritual leader of the Asociacion Israelita de Venezuela, which represents the country’s Sephardic community. Members of the country’s umbrella Jewish organization, the Confederacion de Asociaciones Israelitas de Venezuela, also attended.

According to the state-owned Telesur channel, which distributed the news to all other media outlets, the meetings were intended to “strengthen the cooperation and fraternity ties” with the Jewish community.

— JTA

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