Mayor Edward I. Koch greets Izzy Tapuchi, recently appointed President of Israel Bonds. Photo: Maxine Dovere.

Investment commitments of over 70 million dollars were announced at the annual luncheon of the Real Estate and Construction Division of Israel Bonds. Honoree Robert J. Ivanhoe received the organization’s Award for Excellence at the Pierre Hotel in New York.

“Israel always faces danger,” said Israel Bonds New York Executive Director David Pasternak. “Bonds help build infrastructure…invest at any level. The only investment that is too small is no investment at all.”

Keynote speaker, former Mayor Edward I. Koch called for a new alertness. “This is a dangerous year for Israel. The world has forgotten that when the Nazis killed us, they said never again. They didn’t mean it then and they don’t mean it now…be involved…speak up and stand up.” The octogenarian called the UN “a cesspool where even countries that are relativity neutral, don’t have courage to vote no.”

Regarding his support of Republican (now) Congressman Bob Turner, Koch said “I thought (the President) was throwing Israel under the bus…I said to the voters ‘Let’s send him a message,’ and they did.” “I’m giving him a chance. I want to see him speak out and I will support him.”

About Israel and the Middle East, Koch said “I believe in the two state solution.” He referred to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – “Bibi” – as “a strong guy, someone who will say ‘you’re not going to push me around.’…we’ve lived through thousands of years of persecution. We’re not going away.”

Larry Silverstein, “the individual who rebuilt downtown and showed the whole world what New York can do,” served as arbiter of investment commitment, receiving each pledge graciously and sharing personal comments with many.

Israel Bonds Award for Excellence honoree, Robert J. Ivanhoe was cited as “the kind of guy that, if he is your friend, you have a friend,” Ivanhoe called his nomination for the award “humbling.” He stressed that purchase of Israel Bonds supports Israel, America’s only true ally in the Middle East.

Award of Excellence recepient Robert J. Ivanhoe at the presentation reception November 3 in New York. Photo: Maxine Dovere.

Master builder and Israel Bonds Luncheon MC Larry Silverstein enjoys a humorous moment at the 2011 Real Estate Division luncheon. Photo: Maxine Dovere.