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- Written by Greer Fay Cashman / Jerusalem Post
VIETNAM and Israel established diplomatic relations in July 1993 and last year celebrated the 30th anniversary of those ties. Israel opened an embassy in Hanoi in December 1993. Vietnam waited till 2010 to establish an embassy in Tel Aviv, but since then the ties between the two countries have become increasingly stronger. The number of Vietnamese citizens resident in Israel is somewhere between 150 and 200. The first Vietnamese came to the country as refugee boat people in the late 1970s. One of the initial acts by Menachem Begin after he became prime minister, was to grant them political asylum. During the Vietnam War, numerous temporary Jewish communities were set up in Vietnam, consisting largely of American military personnel.
After the Vietnam War, the Jewish community decreased significantly, but in recent years has begun to return, Ly Duc Trung, the ambassador of Vietnam, told a large group of Israeli business executives at a superb luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Herzliya that he cohosted with the Ambassadors Club of Israel.
Chabad is active in Vietnam, with centers in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hoi An, where visitors can receive kosher meals, Sabbath services, and ritual baths. Each of the abovementioned cities has a synagogue. There is also a Jewish school, said the ambassador.
At formal events, the ambassador is usually attired in the national costume of his country, but this time he wore an elegant business suit.
While people were networking before the meal, which incidentally was served with true professionalism, some of the food and beverage products of Vietnam could be viewed on a display table, along with a book of beautiful photographs of Vietnam in the totality of what it has to offer.
At the tables, guests heard something of the ambassador’s remarkable biography, both from Yitzhak Eldan, the founding president of the Ambassadors Club, and from the ambassador himself. Ly Duc Trung entered diplomatic school when he was 18, stayed for four-and-a-half years, and was awarded a scholarship to Paris. He wanted to officially join the Foreign Service, so he returned home and has held a number of positions over the years.
Eldan noted that while some ambassadors left after October 7, Ly Duc Trung stayed on and did much to improve the connections between Vietnam and Israel.
But most of the conversation centered on what the two countries could do for each other.
The Vietnamese people believe in a balanced diet, which is why they are so slim, the ambassador told his guests.
But the real purpose of the luncheon was to explore imports from Vietnam and Israeli investment potential in Vietnam.
Israeli car importers are very interested in importing Vietnamese electric cars, and Vietnam is interested in exporting them to Israel, but there’s a lot of bureaucratic red tape to cut before that can happen. The ambassador said that before he came to Israel, he had envisaged traversing the country in its length and breadth in an electric car. Unfortunately, he can’t see that happening during his posting here.
Among the guests were architects, town planners, transport and tourism officials, and people engaged in night vision devices, cyber, agriculture, homeland security, diamonds, civilian and military communications equipment, and journalism.
Israel and Vietnam complement each other in that Israel grew out of the mosquito swamps and the desert, and Vietnam grew out of a wild jungle. Traditionally, both countries also observe lunar calendars. Vietnam’s New Year, the Year of the Dragon, coincides with February 10. Both Vietnam and Israel have developed out of very little into highly modern countries, and the ambassador asserted that not only Vietnam but all of Asia is destined to become a formidable power.
The luncheon was held on Tu Bishvat, so the ambassador received a large tray of fruit from Eldan, and in return he presented Eldan with a work of Vietnamese art.
The ambassador recommended Vietnam as a popular honeymoon destination, saying that it is so close to other Southeast Asian countries that honeymooners can go for day drips and return for romantic evening meals. Vietnam has become so popular a honeymoon destination for Indians, he added, that some even have the wedding in Vietnam, and most Indian weddings have around 300 guests. An Indian wedding is a weeklong affair, which is a tremendous boon to Vietnam’s tourism
Presumably, Vietnam will soon be hosting Israeli weddings.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-784424
Photo by Silvia G Golan
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- Written by Silvia G. Golan
Mike Evans, a Trump insider, said on Jan. 29 at a special Israeli Government Press Office event entitled “Israel in the Foreign Media in the October 7 War,” at the Friends of Zion Heritage Center which he founded, that he was asking President Trump to use his power and platform to mobilize support for the U.S. retaliating by bombing Kharg Island into the Stone Age in light of Iran's drone attack on a U.S. military base, killing three soldiers and wounding dozens Sunday.
Three U.S. service members were killed in Jordan at Tower 22 on Sunday and at least 34 others were injured from an Iran-backed drone attack, the first American military fatalities since the Oct 7 massacre.
Evans said there have been 159 attacks on U.S. forces since the October 7 Iranian-funded massacre by Hamas on Israel. Kharg Island plays a key role in the export of Iranian oil and serves as its main terminal for crude oil. It is the home of its petrochemical complex, which produces oil for export and domestic consumption.
In addition, the island has naval facilities. Kharg Island is only eight kilometers long and four kilometers wide. Since it's one of the centers of production and processing of oil for Iran, it is the perfect target. More than 90% of the island of Kharg has been assigned to oil companies and their terminals.
2023 saw the highest volume of Iranian exports since 2018. Iran made $42.6 billion to fund terror after the Trump administration unilaterally left the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and reimposed all sanctions. It was $7.9 billion in 2020.
It's time to bankrupt Iran. Their only key source for funding terror is oil. This target would not only significantly damage Iran economically, but would punish Iran for its attacks on shipping in the Persian Gulf. Iran has also continued to attack through its Houthi proxy on global shipping in the Red Sea.
Kharg Island is administered by the Iranian providence of Bushehr, which is also the location of Iran’s Russian-built nuclear reactors. Iranian warplanes even fired missiles at a U.S. drone but missed hitting it near Kharg island on November 1.
Approximately 90% of Iranian crude exports depart from Kharg Island. Iran’s exports have been roughly 2.5 million barrels per day. I am sending a message to former President Donald Trump to use his platform and power to mobilize the Republican Party and American people to support the bombing of Kharg Island. I sent this message to him through his former Ambassador to Israel David Friedman moments ago.
Dear President Trump,
I know you have been deeply troubled over the 159 attacks on U.S. forces by Iran and its proxies since the Oct. 7 massacre and the killing of three American soldiers in Jordan at Tower 22 on Sunday and at least 34 others who were injured by an Iranian-backed drone attack in the first American military fatalities since the Oct. 7 massacre.
In light of this, I humbly ask you to use your power and platform to mobilize the Republican Party and the American people to support the bombing of Kharg Island. Approximately 90% of Iran's crude oil departs from Kharg Island, roughly 2.5 million barrels per day from this Iranian location. It is only eight kilometers long and four kilometers wide and located in the Persian Gulf. It’s the perfect target.
2023 saw the highest volume of Iranian exports since 2018. Iran made $42.6 billion to fund terror after the Trump administration unilaterally left the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and reimposed all sanctions. It was $7.9 billion in 2020.
You understand that the vast majority of Iran’s money to fund terror comes from its oil resources. No American president has done more for the State of Israel than you have.
October 7 was a preemptive attack on the state of Israel through Iran’s proxy Hamas. Iran has also continued to attack through its Houthi proxy on global shipping in the Red Sea.
Iran will soon be a nuclear state, with a potential nuclear umbrella of Russian planes flying over Iranian airspace. The U.S. must have the courage to stand up to Iran now before it's too late.
Sincerely,
Mike Evans
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Photo credit Silvia G Golan
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- Written by Silvia G. Golan & Steven Aiello
The piercing sound of the Jerusalem Symphonic Orchestra, punctuated by the pan flute performed by Dalila Cernatescu, brought Romanian National Culture Day to life in a gala concert held in Jerusalem on Saturday night January 20.
Martin Salamon, the Director of the Romanian Cultural Center, welcomed guests to the Henry Crown Hall at the Jerusalem Theater. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Romanian Cultural Center in Tel Aviv, Mr. Salamon quoted the saying “When guns roar, the muses are silent” and flipping it on its head, noting that the sounds of the concert give voice to the idea that only art and culture can cover the sounds of guns and violence.
Noting the challenge of promoting soft power with so much ongoing warfare in the region and around the world, Mr. Salamon emphasized that we must continue to believe in peace, diplomacy and cultural relations, and maintain hope. This is the message of the concert he said: “to never give up hope.”
H.E. Dr. Radu Ioanid, Ambassador of Romania spoke next, expressed Romania’s full solidarity with the people of Israel, and noted that the Romanian Prime Minister was the first leader to visit Israel following the October 7th atrocities. Ambassador Ioanid explained that Romania as well was dealing with hostages of Romanian heritage and citizenship and was dedicated to bringing all the hostages home safely.
Following these opening remarks, guests were treated to a unique collaboration of the world class Jerusalem Symphonic Orchestra, led by Maestro Ionut Pascu. The concert featured pan flute virtuoso Dalila Cernatescu, and composer Florin Raducanu, who performed on piano as well as Oren Hardy on the double bass and Yonathan Rosen on the drums. The musicians astounded the audience with a diverse range including Romanian Doina, Klezmer, Sephardic Jazz sketches, and even a pan flute improvisation.
Diplomacy.co.il and www.debateforpeace.org congratulates the Embassy of Romania, the Romanian Cultural Center, and the people of Romania on Romanian Culture Day.
:Steven Aiello
Founder--DebateforPeace
Photos Silvia Golan
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- Written by Silvia G. Golan
Indigenous Coalition for Israel is pleased to announce the opening of an Indigenous embassy in Jerusalem. The Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem will be hosted by Friends of Zion Museum in center of Jerusalem.
The Indigenous Embassy in Jerusalem is an international project that opens with strong expressions of support from Indigenous leaders from all around the world: Singapore, Taiwan, Samoa, American Samoa, Hawaii, Tahiti, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji, Native American chiefs and paramount chiefs from Southern Africa.
Dr. Mike Evans- one of the greatest Evangelicals leaders, founder of Friends of Zion Heritage center, a # 1 New York Times bestseller of 118 published books read by 38 million people and Nobel Peace Prize candidate for his contribution fighting antisemitism, declares; "Friends of Zion Heritage center is a Zionist platform dedicated combating anti-Semitism and BDS, which main goal is supporting the Jewish people and the state of Israel. Naturally, the Indigenous Embassy which will open in Jerusalem would operate in its campus. I congratulate ICFI on the decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem and thank them for their support in Israel, especially in these times".
Jerusalem’s Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum who spearheaded the initiative along with the ICFI said, “We are grateful to the ICFI leadership for pursuing this initiative, especially during a time of war. The Jewish people are the indigenous people of Israel and so we are thrilled with the support of the global First Peoples’s community “.
According to Dr Sheree Trotter, ICFI co-founder and one of this project's initiatives: ‘Antisemitism has seen a disturbing and unprecedented rise in the weeks since 7 October. The indigenous peoples recognize the Jewish people as indigenous to the land of Israel. Further, many view Israel as a truly inspirational expression of self-determination in ancestral homelands. "We believe this is the right time to launch the embassy in order to send a strong message of solidarity from indigenous peoples around the world, that we recognize the Jews as indigenous to Israel and stand with her in her struggle against forces that seek her annihilation".
IEJ will become a hub for indigenous peoples visiting Israel and a tangible expression of their support. IEJ will also support and promulgate the academic work being undertaken to respond to false narratives.
IEJ will not purport to be an official representative of any of the governments that host nations of the respective indigenous peoples. It will engage in educational and cultural initiatives and mutually beneficial collaborative projects.
IEJ will foster relationships with Israel, promote understanding and fight antisemitism.
A formal inaugural event will be held on 1 February at 18:00 at Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem, with the presence of the Foreign Minister Mr. Israel Katz
Friends of Zion Heritage center was established in 2015, in the center of Israel’s capital Jerusalem, by founder Dr. Mike Evans.
This is a Zionist platform dedicated to the fight against anti-Semitism and BDS. On of its main goals is bolstering awareness for the historical support of the Christian friends of Israel. In their advanced Media Center, FOZ museum holds dozens of events, activities, and press conferences in line with their vision.
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- Written by President's Spokesperson
Sunday, 5 November 2023 / 21 Cheshvan 5784
President Isaac Herzog today, Sunday, received the diplomatic credentials of incoming United States Ambassador to Israel, Jacob J. Lew.
Under the shadow of the ongoing war against Hamas, the ceremony at the President’s Residence was conducted without the traditional guard of honor and national anthems. The Ambassador presented his credentials, after which the two made statements to the media.
President Herzog:
“Ambassador Lew, it’s a true honor to welcome you here today and receive your credentials here in Jerusalem. Welcome. I know of your record of excellence over many decades of public service in the United States, and of your deep connection to Israel and to the Jewish people. I also want to thank Deputy Ambassador Hallett for serving as acting Ambassador for the last few months. A crisis is always when you’re reminded who your friends are. This is true of people, and it’s true of countries. I’m speaking for all Israelis when I say: never has American friendship been more evident or more valued than it is right now. We are grateful to President Joe Biden for his unwavering support of Israel and its people. We value the immense efforts and repeated visits by Secretary Blinken and high-level officials. We are grateful for everything that the USA has done for us and is doing as we speak. We will never forget it. I’d love to greet you at a time of peace. You deserve the full welcoming ceremony. But, unfortunately we both know that you arrive and begin your service here at a tipping point for Israel and the region, maybe for the world. On October 7, (the Jewish festival of) Simchat Torah, we were subject to a barbaric attack that changed this country forever.
Our army is now fighting in Gaza against a terror organization that uses its civilian population as a human shield and the source of its attacks, that conceals its forces in ambulances and hides its headquarters underneath a hospital. Yesterday, our forces were opening a humanitarian corridor to get Palestinian civilians to safety when they were attacked by Hamas. This organization, and the other Iranian proxies in Lebanon, Yemen, and elsewhere in the region, are the threat we face – but it’s also what America faces, and ultimately what the entire civilized world faces.
This war is about much more than Israel and Hamas. It’s about whether the world will accept the violation of our most basic values as human beings. We treasure the clarity we’ve heard from President Biden, who called the Hamas threat by its true name – evil. Evil is the accurate word for terrorists holding more than 240 people, including babies and the elderly, and including American citizens, without any news of their fate. This is an ongoing war crime, and anyone concerned with humanitarian aid must act to secure their immediate and unconditional release. As secretary Blinken heard on Friday, we are committed to humanitarian assistance wherever possible to the uninvolved civilian population of Gaza. But we know that the only way to stop the suffering of Israelis and Palestinians is to remove the threat of Hamas.
These trying times are a test for us all. But as you know, Israel is a country founded on hope. Our national anthem is called Hatikva, which means, “the hope.” Together, Ambassador Lew, we can defeat the forces of chaos and violence and make our hopes for the region a reality. May you go from strength to strength, and I wish you much success.”
Ambassador Lew:
“Mr. President, I'm honored to stand beside you today as I present my credentials as the United States Ambassador to the State of Israel, particularly at this moment of history. This is a difficult time. Representing the United States as Ambassador to the State of Israel is a profound honor. I arrived in Israel only days after being confirmed last week, arriving on Friday to join the Secretary of State for important consultations. These are not normal times and this is not a normal transition. In fact I am told it’s the shortest time from a vote in the Senate to arriving in country - reflecting the urgency in the moment. In that spirit, I appreciate you receiving me today.
I was raised with a deep appreciation of the importance of Israel, and I worked over my career in government to deepen the US-Israel relationship to meet critical immediate security needs, and also to build enduring approaches that span many years. Over many visits, I have developed a deep respect for the people and history of this country. I have many friends here as I arrive, and I look forward to building new relationships even during these hard early days. This past month has tested Israel and it has also proven that the bond between our nations is unshakable. As two great democracies, we share values that underlie how we make decisions. That explains why we remain so close.
I met this morning with families of hostages and there are no words to explain the pain they feel and we share. Working for the release of over 200 hostages, including Americans, will remain a top priority until their captivity comes to end. As President Biden has said so passionately, Israel has a right and indeed a responsibility to defend this nation and it’s people in a manner that reflects the values that we share. We remain committed to providing the support to be successful in that effort. Even during a time of crisis, we must remain focused on the long term strategic challenges that will shape a future of greater stability and security, with better opportunities for all people of goodwill, regardless of religion. There's much to do, but we'll do it together. And is in that unity of purpose that I find hope for a brighter future. What took place on October 7 is a stain on humanity. It cannot happen. And so I want to reiterate what President Biden and Secretary Blinken have said countless times since that very dark day: the United States stands with you. We will work together. Our resolve will remain strong. Thank you for this honor, and I look forward to working with the Government and people of Israel.”
Photo credits: Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO)
