International Mayors Witness Israel’s Innovation and Impact Firsthand

When over 20 mayors and city leaders from 15 countries gathered in Israel for the 34th International Mayors Conference, what began as a professional exchange soon became a deeply personal journey. Organized by the American Jewish Congress (AJC) and Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the five-day visit left many participants transformed by what they saw, heard, and experienced.

From Sderot to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to Kfar Aza, mayors representing cities from Europe, Africa, the Americas, and beyond encountered not only cutting-edge technology but the emotional weight of Israel’s ongoing battle for security and peace.

Dan Cohen, the Jewish Lord Mayor of Leeds, UK, described it as nothing short of transformational. “This is how the country is building back,” he said. “Not with conflict, but creativity, coexistence, and start-ups using the power of AI to benefit our residents in our own cities.”

A standout moment came when the mayor of Entebbe, Uganda initially influenced by negative media portrayals told Cohen that the visit completely changed his views. “You’ve turned me from a pessimist into an ambassador,” he admitted.

That kind of shift was echoed by AJC President Daniel Rosen. “Many of the mayors said the stories they hear from social media and press simply don’t reflect the truth on the ground,” he said. The AJC’s aim, Rosen explained, is to let leaders witness Israel with their own eyes its challenges, its spirit, and its groundbreaking solutions.

Throughout the trip, the mayors were introduced to Israel’s most advanced tech firms, especially in artificial intelligence and emergency response. One AI-powered system that integrates drones, live camera feeds, and real-time data to manage municipal crises caught special attention, with clear applications for flood-prone or terror-vulnerable cities like Leeds.

But perhaps the most emotional parts of the trip were visits to sites devastated by the October 7 Hamas attack. At Kibbutz Kfar Aza and the Nova Festival grounds, participants heard stories of survival and loss directly from those who lived through the horrors. “It was like a raw wound,” said Cohen, visibly shaken. “My own daughters could have been there.”

And yet, even amid the sorrow, hope emerged. In Sderot, a city on Israel’s front lines, the local mayor told the delegation, “We want to build a future not of conflict, but of creativity and coexistence.” That sentiment echoed throughout the trip from high-tech labs to city halls.

The AJC conference didn’t just build international goodwill it opened hearts. Mayors from across the globe returned home with new alliances, new technologies to explore, and a deeper, firsthand understanding of the strength and humanity of the Israeli people.

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