Leaders urge strengthened Israel-US ties at Israel Hayom conference in NYC

Adelson described the relationship between the two nations as a “majestic alliance” that rises above politics.

By World Israel News Staff

Israel Hayom launched its first U.S. summit on Tuesday in the heart of Manhattan, bringing together senior American and Israeli officials, diplomats, former hostages, security experts, and Jewish community leaders to discuss the future of Israel–U.S. relations, Jewish unity and global security.

The event opened with a keynote address from Israel Hayom publisher, businesswoman and philanthropist Dr. Miriam Adelson, who delivered a strong call for unity, resilience and a renewed partnership between Jerusalem and Washington. Speaking to a crowded room that included U.S. Ambassador to the UN Michael Waltz and local civic leaders, Adelson described the relationship between the two nations as a “majestic alliance” that rises above politics. She said this alliance is essential for safeguarding Western values and ensuring the security and continuity of the Jewish people.

Following Adelson’s remarks, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed the growing challenges Israel faces in global public opinion. “Israel once had the worst public relations of any country I knew, and I think it is only worse now,” she said. “People shout ‘from the river to the sea,’ but which river and which sea? They do not know. We must do a better job explaining why supporting Israel and its security matters across generations. The biggest challenge is with young people.”

Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli focused on regional threats and the danger of legitimizing extremist groups. “Erdogan is Muslim Brotherhood; Jolani is Muslim Brotherhood,” he said. “We must insist on keeping forces in the buffer zone and fighting the jihadists. There will be no peace agreement with Jolani. He has zero legitimacy, and it was a mistake to give him any credit.”

The emotional toll of the ongoing hostage crisis was highlighted by Yael Alexander, mother of former hostage Idan Alexander. She described the difference between the support her family received in Washington and what they experienced in Israel. “The embrace we felt from the administration here was real,” she said. “They knew the stories, they came prepared. In Israel it was different. It was very hard. I felt as if no one was really listening and no one was taking responsibility. It was very difficult.”

Another testimony from inside captivity was shared at the summit, describing both the brutality of Hamas and the solidarity among hostages. One survivor recounted: “I went through sexual assaults in captivity. I had nowhere to run. During that period, when Evyatar looked like a skeleton in the video everyone saw, we gave up on showers because we were getting sick from them. At one point I could not lift my arms, and Evyatar lifted my arm and cleaned my armpit with a wet wipe because I simply could not raise my shoulders.”

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman commented on recent discussions about Judea and Samaria annexation. “Annexation is not going to happen,” he said. “There will not be a unilateral takeover of territory by Israel while we are trying to bring the war in Gaza to an end. Most people would agree this is simply not the right time.”

Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, responded to NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s attempt to block Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from entering the United States. “Mamdani does not decide who comes to New York or to the United Nations,” he said. “Prime Minister Netanyahu will come here and he will speak.”

Throughout the summit, speakers emphasized that Israel’s challenges, whether military, diplomatic or narrative, require steadfast cooperation between Washington and Jerusalem. Dr. Adelson’s call for unity set the tone for the gathering, underscoring that the Israel–U.S. partnership, rooted in shared values and shared destiny, remains vital in an increasingly unstable world.