Vaughan mayor to serve as chair of Ontario municipal leaders’ summit on antisemitism Jan. 21

Maurizio Bevilacqua announced role during virtual summit with his Israeli counterpart from city of Ramla

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 29, 2021
Dina Al-Shibeeb

Vaughan -- home to one of the largest Jewish communities outside of Israel -- will have its mayor serve as chair of the Ontario Municipal Leaders’ Summit on Antisemitism Jan. 21.

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua announced that he was the upcoming chair on Nov. 23 when he hosted the inaugural Vaughan-Ramla Summit alongside Mayor Michael Vidal from the Israeli city of Ramla.

The summit will also be hosted by the North York-based Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA).

Meanwhile, the Vaughan-Ramla summit marked the two-year anniversary since the City of Vaughan led a business mission to Israel in 2019.

In 2019, Bevilacqua alongside staff and representatives from the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce went on a mission to Israel in hopes of signing business deals and bringing more foreign direct investments into the city.

During the mission, Vaughan signed a memorandum of understanding with Ramla.

“During the City of Vaughan-led business mission to Israel in 2019, we made meaningful progress by signing a memorandum of understanding,” Bevilacqua said. “Since then, the global COVID-19 pandemic has forced municipal priorities to shift, but now is the time to refocus our efforts to advance shared cultural opportunities and experiences.”

He added, “In August, I met virtually with Mayor Vidal and members of his administration to express my support and solidarity with the people of Israel in response to the violence taking place in the Middle East during the summer months.

“We reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening relations between our cities.”

Vaughan council has already approved the Vaughan-Israel action plan for 2023, which will mark the 30th anniversary of the Vaughan-Ramla partnership.

“I would like to thank our friends in Vaughan, especially Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, for their mutual desire to promote joint projects that benefit our cities. By working together, we will create successful outcomes for our communities,” said Ramla’s Vidal.