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Greece and Israel, as modern democratic states, represent the proud independence of two ancient nations. Both contributed greatly to Western civilization and have fiercely maintained their unique identities throughout the millennia.
On 21 May, we mark the 25th anniversary of upgraded diplomatic relations between the Hellenic Republic and the State of Israel. Although bilateral relations have existed since 1952, full diplomatic ties were established in 1990. In recent years, common democratic values and interests have led Greece and Israel to forge an important strategic partnership in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Today, the relations are characterized by wide-ranging cooperation in politics, defense, energy, finance, tourism, culture and academia.
High-level political contacts have become commonplace. In October 2013, the first Greece-Israel High Level Government-to-Government Council (G2G) was held in Jerusalem, headed by the Prime Ministers of the two countries. Both States look forward to holding the second High Level Government-to-Government Council as soon as possible. The bilateral political dialogue has been accompanied by economic cooperation, important deliberations on energy issues, enhanced military and defense cooperation, flourishing cultural exchanges, interesting academic and scientific contacts, an inter-religious discourse, and large waves of tourism.
Greece and Israel, as modern democratic states, represent the proud independence of two ancient nations. Their long histories are intertwined and their common traits are numerous. Both are peoples of books and letters who contributed greatly to Western civilization and have lived together in this part of the world for generations. They are both nations of a homeland and a diaspora. And they have fiercely maintained their unique identities throughout the millennia.
The Greek Jewish community and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem are bridges of friendship between the two countries.
The bilateral cooperation promotes mutual interests, progress, and stability in the wider region. Both States aspire to further promote and enhance relations of peace and good neighborliness with the nations in the area.
Following a quarter century of upgraded diplomatic relations, the Governments of Greece and Israel express satisfaction with their close and friendly relationship. Both States look forward to further enhancing their bilateral cooperation in the next 25 years, especially regarding people-to-people contacts, as well as cooperation in the fields of high tech and entrepreneurship, for the benefit of both peoples. The two nations are joined together in friendship as they face common challenges and strive to build a better future.
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- Written by MFA
For decades, Israeli innovators have developed technologies to directly harness the power of the sun, Israel's most abundant resource. It's on our shoulders to light a new path for people around the world toward a more sustainable future.
Ambassador Ron Prosor addressed the Second Annual United Nations Sustainable Energy for All Forum at the UN in New York.
First, allow me to congratulate you, the Secretary-General and the leadership of Sustainable Energy for All, for convening this forum.
The world faces serious energy challenges which demand immediate attention. The International Energy Agency estimates that one in five people do not have electricity. Another 2.6 billion use unsafe fuel to cook, inhaling toxic smoke. In order to realize our vision of a world in which everyone enjoys clean and safe energy, we must act now to spearhead this transformation.
Mr. Chair,
With few natural resources and mostly arid land, Israel has always had to do more with less. For decades, Israeli innovators have developed technologies to directly harness the power of the sun, Israel's most abundant resource. Solar water heaters, developed in the 1950s, have been installed in 90% of Israeli homes, and are required by law.
Israel is committed to pursue renewable energy sources. And we have set a national goal to raise total renewable energy generation by 400% by the year 2020.
In the Negev desert, engineers at the Arava Power Company built the country's largest solar installation, covering an area equal to twenty football fields. The energy it generates will offset over one hundred thousand tons of carbon emissions - the equivalent of planting almost a quarter million trees.
The Knesset - Israel's Parliament - is a model of energy efficiency. This year, the roof of the Knesset building was covered with enough solar panels to lower energy consumption by one-third and save half a million dollars annually.
In addition to solar power, Israel's first hydro-electric plant will be completed by 2018 and will increase power generation capacity and energy security.
Israel is a hub for renewable energy research and development, and is committed to sharing innovation and expertise with developing countries abroad. In Ghana, for example, an Israeli company gives meaning to the phrase, "one man's trash is another man's treasure." It takes useless organic waste and turns it into useful energy. In rural Africa, another Israeli company keeps the lights on even after the sun goes down. Innovative tulip-shaped towers absorb solar energy by day and produce electricity by night.
Mr. Chair,
In September, leaders from all over the world will gather in this very hall to adopt a transformative agenda that will guide the future of sustainable development. It is on our shoulders to light a new path for people around the world toward a more sustainable future.
As one of Israel's sustainable energy pioneers once said, and I quote, "To realize that the same sun shines equally on all of us, is owned by none of us, and can supply energy in abundance, inherently promotes peace. The sun doesn't recognize borders." May our desire to build a world where sustainable energy is available to all, be a reason for unity and solidarity.
Thank you.
Photo Ambassador Ron Prosor
Copyright: UN Webcast
https://youtu.be/lp70XZd3iVE
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Following the Summer's Hostilities: Jewish Agency Awards Scholarships to 1,300 Israeli Students from Communities Near Gaza
Scholarships made possible by special contributions totaling some NIS 8 million (~$2 million) from The Jewish Federations of North America and individual Jewish Federations
Deputy Chairman Trainin: "The scholarships will support young people who have chosen to live in communities near Gaza and will help strengthen academic institutions in Israel's South. Growing southern Israel's population is the most Zionist response to Hamas terror"
JERUSALEM – The Jewish Agency for Israel has awarded scholarships to some 1,300 Israeli students who live in Sderot and other communities near Gaza and study in academic institutions in southern Israel. The scholarships were made possible by special contributions totaling some NIS 8 million (~$2 million) from The Jewish Federations of North America and individual Jewish Federations, and each student will receive more than NIS 5,500 ($1,375).
The scholarships were presented in a special ceremony yesterday (Monday, March 2) in Sderot and was attended by Deputy Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency Rany Trainin, Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi, Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council Head Alon Schuster, S'dot Negev Regional Council Head Tamir Idan, Sapir College President Omri Yadlin, and Danny Labin, Associate Vice President for Global Programs at The Jewish Federations of North America.
In the aftermath of this summer's hostilities, The Jewish Agency has worked with its partners to collect funds from world Jewry in order to strengthen the residents of communities near Gaza and encourage young people to move to the area. The aid has helped support residents directly affected by rocket fire, enable the construction of additional bomb shelters, assist business owners whose income was affected, facilitate communal activities, and provide tens of thousands of local children with respite activities.
As part of these efforts, The Jewish Agency has collected some NIS 8 million (~$2 million) from Jewish communities in North America to provide students who reside in Sderot and other communities near Gaza with financial assistance. The scholarships were made possible by special contributions from The Jewish Federations of North America, the Jewish United Fund / Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, and the Jewish Federation of San Diego. Due to the high demand, the scholarship committee decided to award the first stage of the scholarships to some 1,300 students who both live near Gaza and attend academic institutions in Israel's South, thus supporting both the students themselves and the higher education community in southern Israel. Some 750 of the recipients reside in Sderot, 300 in the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, and the remainder in the S'dot Negev, Ashkelon Beach, and Eshkol regions.
Rany Trainin, Deputy Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency, noted: "The communities of southern Israel in general and those near Gaza in particular were on the frontlines during this summer's hostilities. These scholarships will support students who have chosen to live in communities near Gaza and will strengthen the academic institutions of Israel's South. This is a significant contribution to the strength of Israeli communities in southern Israel, the growth of which is the most Zionist response to Hamas terror."
PHOTOS: Students from southern Israel receive scholarships from The Jewish Agency for Israel, made possible by contributions from The Jewish Federations of North America and individual Jewish Federations, during a ceremony in Sderot, March 2, 2015.
Photo credit: David Shechter for The Jewish Agency for Israel.
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The course took place in Israel (26 April-8 May) with the participation of 25 medical professionals from developing countries. Among them, were 3 Nepalese doctors who were in Israel at the time of the devastating earthquake which hit their country at the end of April.
Due to this unique situation, MASHAV requested the Rambam Teaching Center to provide the three doctors with any additional training which can be of use to deal with the severe situation prevailing in Nepal. Within this framework, the Nepalese doctors requested a workshop on Secondary Trauma – viewed as the stress which medical teams experience resulting from helping or wanting to help a traumatized or suffering person.
It is expected that upon return to their country, the doctors will be able to apply the knowledge they acquired during the course in Israel for the benefit of the people of Nepal. In the next following weeks MASHAV is planning to send to Nepal a medical team comprised of professionals from the Rambam Hospital to conduct a specialized workshop on dealing with trauma situation
Photo :Director of MASHAV’s Training Division, Ambassador Mattanya Cohen (second from left) and Nepal’s Ambassador to Israel Prahlad Kumar Prasai, with the Nepalese doctors at the course’s closing ceremony
Copyright: MASHAV
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Sharansky: "This is a year of record Aliyah. Beit Brodetsky is an excellent place to learn Hebrew, to get to know Israel—and also to find a shidduch (match)."
Landver: "Today you received a first home in Israel, a warm home and a social and professional structure. You are the future of the State of Israel."
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL – Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel Natan Sharansky and Minister of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Sofa Landver dedicated a new center for young immigrants from around the world this morning (Thursday, December 11) in Tel Aviv. The Beit Brodetsky Center for Young Immigrants is a joint venture between The Jewish Agency and the Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption and will be operated in conjunction with the Ministry of Education in order to encourage young people from around the world to immigrate to Israel and ease their integration into Israeli society.
294 young immigrants between the ages of 18 and 35 from 23 countries—most of whom have arrived in Israel over the past month, and more than half of whom hold academic degrees—will be participating in the first cycle of the live-in center dedicated in a festive ceremony this morning.
Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky told the hundreds of young immigrants in attendance: "This is a year of record Aliyah, with some 25,000 immigrants arriving in Israel from around the world. People around the world ask how immigrants continue to come despite the images of warfare. If they look at you, they will understand how good and complete life is in Israel. Beit Brodetsky is an excellent place to learn Hebrew, to get to know Israel—and also to find a shidduch (match)."
Minister of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Sofa Landver said: "Today you received a first home in Israel, a warm home and a social and professional structure, but at the same it is important to me that you know that even when you finish your stay at this center, the Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption will be another home to you for many years, and the professional staff of the ministry will accompany you on your path to successful absorption and integration into Israeli society. You are the future of the State of Israel."
Located in northern Tel Aviv, near Tel Aviv University, the center for young immigrants is a joint venture between The Jewish Agency and the Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption and is part of the expanded cooperation between the two bodies aimed at increasing the number of young immigrants coming to Israel and helping them as they take their first steps as Israeli citizens. The new center will serve as a bridge between the young immigrants and Israeli society, providing them with the infrastructure necessary for optimal integration while realizing their individual potential.
As part of the live-in program, the young immigrants will participate in intensive Hebrew lessons (ulpan) taught by educators from the Ministry of Education's Division for Adult Education. Participants will enjoy rich and diverse social and cultural programming and will be provided with counseling and guidance on continuing their education and advancing their careers in Israel. The center will eventually be home to some 600 young immigrants who will be divided into two cycles each year.
Uriel Benita and Elodie Assayag immigrated to Israel from Peru and France (respectively) two months ago and are living in the new center. They thanked the groups and individuals behind the venture for the warm welcome they have received. "One day, I was walking in the street in France and someone stopped me and told me to take off the Star of David necklace that was hanging around my neck. That was when I knew I would be making Aliyah," said Elodie. "I have made friends from around the world and I look forward to contributing to my new country."
PHOTO: Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky and Minister of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Sofa Landver join young immigrants from around the world in dedicating the Beit Brodetsky Center for Young Immigrants in Tel Aviv, December 11, 2014. Photo credit: Zed Films.
