In an interview with Lietuvos žinios partially republished by the Baltic News Service on May 17, Israeli ambassador to Lithuania Amir Maimon said unity is important for any community, as the Lithuanian Jewish Community prepares to elect a new chairman or chairwoman.

He noted the Lithuanian Jewish Community is small, and hoped disagreements among members could be solved so that larger issues could be tackled.

Vilnius Jewish Community executive board member Simonas Gurevičius circulated a petition two weeks ago for the ordering of elections for the chairmanship of the national community. The petition calls for an earlier regime for elections. The text claims changes to the regulations reduced the influence of the non-Vilnius regional communities. Gurevičius has offered himself as a candidate for the post at elections in May. Current chairwoman Faina Kukliansky hasn’t announced her candidacy.

In the interview ambassador Maimon also said Lithuania and Israel could do better in cooperating to protect Jewish heritage.