Israel honors B’klyn beep; it’s prez-on-prez in Bronx

The State of Israel solidified its relations with two New York borough leaders in January, saluting Brooklyn’s borough president and participating in a presidential visit with the president of the Bronx.

In celebration of Black History month and to commemorate the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the State of Israel, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, and the Jewish National Fund, honored Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams with the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Award.

Consul General of Israel in New York Ambassador Ido Aharoni, Nassau Coliseum developer Bruce Ratner, CEO of the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center Brett Yormark, Executive Vice President of JNF Russell Robinson, and Managing Director of JCRC-NY Hindy Poupko, presented Adams with the award at at center court in the Barclays Center before a Brooklyn Nets home game against the Los Angeles Clippers. 

“I thank Ambassador Aharoni, along with my friends at the JCRB-NY and JNF, for this recognition that underscores my bond with Israel and with the Jewish people of Brooklyn and beyond,” Adams said.

Israel has embraced the legacy of Dr. King, for it mirrors the values of hope and peace to which we can all relate, organizers of the Barclays ceremony said in a statement, adding that Dr. King was a great friend to Israel and the Jewish people and was active in the battle against anti-Semitism.

During a visit in the Bronx with Borough President Ruben on Jan. 28, Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin stressed ties between the borough and his home country.

Rivlin’s visit — reportedly the first time an Israeli president has come to the Bronx — followed a five-day trip to Israel by Diaz and 11 Latino business and civic leaders.

Rivlin said that he wanted to visit the Bronx since Latinos, the borough’s largest ethnic group, “are going to become the majority, not as Latinos, bus as Americans.”

“This is a connection, this is a relationship, that we are forging now for many, many generations to come,” Diaz said.