Mayors Mark Kristallnacht Anniversary in Jerusalem
Dozens of municipal leaders lit memorial candles during the opening of the 35th International Mayors Conference.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Civic
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Dozens of mayors and municipal leaders gathered in Jerusalem on Sunday evening to commemorate the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Nazi pogrom of November 9-10, 1938. The candle-lighting ceremony opened the 35th International Mayors Conference, organized by the American Jewish Congress (AJC).
Why it matters
The conference brings together local leaders to explore cooperation in technology, innovation, and economic development, with AJC president Daniel Rosen saying it aims to foster relationships between international municipal leaders and Israel. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee urged the mayors to challenge misinformation about the country by visiting it.
The commemoration marked 88 years since the November 9-10, 1938 Kristallnacht pogrom, and the conference is the 35th of its kind. The extraction does not specify the total number of attending mayors or the countries they came from.
The players
American Jewish Congress (AJC)
The AJC is a Jewish advocacy organization that works to combat antisemitism and promote Jewish community interests globally.
Mike Huckabee
Huckabee is a former governor of Arkansas who serves as the United States Ambassador to Israel.
Daniel Rosen
Rosen is the president of the American Jewish Congress who leads the organization's international outreach.
The details
Mayors from several countries lit memorial candles to remember the victims during the ceremony at the conference opening. Huckabee, a former governor of Arkansas, addressed the international delegation and encouraged the mayors to visit Israel and then tell others what they saw.
Timeline
November 9-10, 1938: Nazi Kristallnacht pogrom takes place.
Sunday evening: Candle-lighting ceremony held at the opening of the 35th International Mayors Conference in Jerusalem.
Over the coming days: Mayors visit Israel and experience innovation during the conference.
Civic Context
The 35th International Mayors Conference of the American Jewish Congress continues a decades-long series that brings municipal leaders to Israel. The 2026 gathering follows that established pattern of linking local government officials with Israeli counterparts.
Municipal leaders attending the conference will experience Israeli innovation firsthand over the coming days. Local residents may see the resulting partnerships only as the mayors return home and pursue joint initiatives.
The takeaway
Municipal leaders are encouraged to see international partnerships as a way to strengthen local economies and civic ties. Engaging directly with a country, rather than relying on secondhand accounts, is the approach the conference's organizers are promoting.
Further reading
For more on local leadership and municipal affairs, explore the Civic section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Jerusalem Post.
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