Diplomatic Events

 

The banquet room was colourfully decorated in red, blue and white flowers and flags representing the national colours of the Dominican Republic.

 

Master of Ceremonies, CEO and founder of  Anthony Raphael Escoboza Media Group based in Miami and Herzliya warmly welcomed all and sundry. 

 

The national anthems of the Dominican Republic and Israel's Hatikvah were played and resounded with enthusiasm.   

 

H.E. Mr. Olivio Fermin's address was in Spanish with an English translation on screen welcoming Ambassadors, authorities of the State of Israel members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the business and academic sectors and Dominican community members in Israel. The independence of the Dominican Republic is a sacred date on which we pay tribute to the courage, vision and sacrifice of the country's founding fathers namely Juan Pablo Duarte, Fransisco del Rosario Sanchez and Ramon Matias Mella. Our independence continues to be a profound affirmation of identity, freedom and democracy. In this spirit, we welcome the excellent state of relations between the Dominican Republic and Israel sharing fundamental values such as respect for freedom, historical resilience, human talent and the ability to transform challenges into opportunities. Israel is globally recognized as a nation of innovation, technology and entrepreneurship while the Dominican Republic stands out as one of the most dynamic economies in Latin America and the Caribbean. Opportunities exist to deepen in sectors such as precision agriculture, water management, cybersecurity, health technology and renewable energy. Our country offers a favourable climate for foreign investment, legal certainty and preferential access to international markets creating prospects for Israeli entrepreneurs. Our country warmly welcomes visitors including Israeli citizens who discover our beaches, culture and hospitality. Baseball, our national sport, represents an important field of cultural and human connection. We are pleased to see growing interest in this sport in Israel and trust that sporting exchange, youth training and cooperation between federations will continue to intensify.  We also value the academic, scientific and cultural exchanges between our nations. Dialogue between Dominican and Israeli universities, research centres and entrepreneurs open promising horizons for joint projects in education, technology and applied research. We also express our sincere appreciation to the State of Israel for the welcome extended to  Dominican citizens who have chosen to work in Israel. We are grateful for their dignified treatment and opportunities that Israel offers to those who contribute to the development of the societies that accept them. Allow me to conclude by reiterating our gratitude for your presence at our celebration. Long live the Dominican Republic, long life its heroes and long live the friendship between our countries.

 

Representing the State of Israel, Ms. Sharren Haskel, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs started her speech by stating that this evening is a testament to the freedom that was established by the Dominican Republic's founding father, Juan Pablo Duarte. Israel and the Domincan Republic's bilateral relations are historical and heartfelt. In 1947, you were among 33 nations supporting a U.N. resolution for our establishment followed in December 1948, recognizing Israel's independence. In July 1938 at the Avian conference, nation after nation closed its doors to Jews requesting a safe haven from Nazi persecution, however the Dominican Republic's President Rafael Trujillo agreed to accept 100 000 Jews. In January 2026 the Dominican Republic restored the historic synagogue and Jewish museum in Sosua. Abraham Cohen from Curacao helped finance the Dominican Republic's War of Independence and supported Duarte in his efforts. He eventually moved to the Dominican Republic where his descendants continue to live. Through Israel's Foreign Ministry's Mashav programme, over 5000 Dominican professionals have received training in Israel. Thousands of Israelis annually visit the Dominican Republic. In January 2025, I had the pleasure of having a warm and fruitful telephone conversation with your Deputy Foreign Minister and subsequently met in my office with Ambassador Fermin where issues of common interest were shared.  In April 2025 an Israeli rescue team of doctors, paramedics and specialists were sent to the Dominican Republic to help rescue lives in a tragic fire of a night club which led to the deaths of 113 people. There has been increasing dialogue between faith leaders and youth leaders from our countries. The Deputy Minister concluded her speech by stating that the Dominican Republic's core values representing resilience, faith, love of life, freedom and family are common values by nations that have led to a robust relationship between the two states. 

 

A toast was shared by the Ambassador and Deputy Minister Haskel.      

 

A choice of two types of Dominican rum as well as a display of Dominican cigars were offered to guests. There was a lavish buffet including a rocket and tomato salad, breast of chicken skewers, roast beef accompanied by roast square potatoes, focaccia, traditional Dominican ceviche, baked lavrak (sea bream), a vegetarian stir fry dish including cauliflower, bean, broccoli, zucchini and bok choy and lastly a choice of sumptuous desserts and fresh fruit. 

 

Guests danced exuberantly to Dominican sounds of barachta, merengue, dembow and dalos music. 

 

Present were ambassadors, high ranking state officials, entrepreneurs, academics, Dominican nationals including H.E. Mr. Gil Haskell, Chief of State Protocol, H.E. Mr. Amir Ofek, Israeli Foreign Affairs Director for Latin America, Mr. Yoram Ray Naor, Consul General of Belize, Vice President of the Ambassadors Club and Vice President of the Israel - Latin America Chamber of Commerce,  Ms. Miri Berger, Executive Director of the Israel - Latin America Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Ilan Ben Hakoon, the Dan Arcadia Hotel's General Manager, Mr. Emanuel Shapira Rabbanian, the Dan Hotels Director of Delegations, Mr. Gabriel Hayon, Director of the Diplomatic Institute, Mr. Tony Reichler, the Head of the Knesset International Relations Section, Dr. Samuel Birger, a dental surgeon based in Miami and Tel Aviv and Mr. Mauricio Dimant, Coordinator of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Entrepreneurship and Innovation with Latin America.

 

Diplomacy.co.il extends its warmest congratulations to the Dominican Republic on the auspicious occasion of its 182nd anniversary of independence and expresses its sincere appreciation, thanks and gratitude to the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the State of Israel and his spouse for a most memorable evening of joy and conviviality.                        

 

 Photos Silvia G. Golan