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Photo: President Rivlin with Ambassador of Korea H.E. Mr. Suh Dong Gu
President Rivlin received diplomatic credentials from the new ambassadors of Korea, India, Slovakia, Costa Rica and Sri Lanka to Israel, as they begin their terms of office in Israel
President Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin today, Thursday 21 November / 23 Cheshvan, received diplomatic credentials from the new Ambassadors of Korea, India, Slovakia, Costa Rica and Sri Lanka to Israel, as they begin their terms of office in Israel, in an official ceremony at Beit HaNasi. As they arrived, the national anthem of their country was played by the Israel Police Band and then they reviewed an IDF guard of honor. After presenting their letters of credence to the president and an audience in the Jerusalem Room, each ambassador signed the Beit HaNasi visitors’ book and ‘Hatikva’ was played before the end of each ceremony.
Photo: President Rivlin with Ambassador of Slovakia H.E. Mr. Igor Mauks
The first to present his credentials to the president was Ambassador Igor Mauks of Slovakia. The president welcomed the ambassador to Israel and expressed his appreciation for Slovakia’s friendship towards Israel and noted that he was delighted to welcome the former president of Slovakia in Israel two years ago. The president also sent his thanks to the president of Slovakia for confirming her attendance at the central event to mark 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, which will take place in Jerusalem in January 2020.
Ambassador Mauks thanked the president for his warm words and invited him to visit Slovakia. He also stressed his country’s fight against antisemitism, saying “Slovakia has zero-tolerance for antisemitism.”
Photo: President Rivlin with Ambassador of Costa Rica H.E. Mr. Marco V. Vargas Pereira
Next to arrive was Ambassador of Costa Rica Marco Vinicio Vargas Pereira. In their conversation, the president noted the similarities between the two countries, saying, “Israel and Costa Rica gained independence in 1948 as the only democracies in their region. Today, too, we are small countries that invest in human capital, in our young people, and in education.” The president also spoke to the ambassador about his hopes that the Costa Rican embassy would return to Jerusalem. “I hope you are able to take meaningful steps to bring the embassy back home to Jerusalem.”
The ambassador thanked the president and said that this was his first time in Israel and that he was discovering the beauty of Israel’s varied landscape, and that he had seen a desert for the first time. “I am delighted to be representing Costa Rica here in your beautiful country and hope I am able to advance the good relations even further.”
Photo: President Rivlin with Ambassador of Sri Lanka H.E. Mr. Saddha Waruna Wilpatha
Ambassador Saddha Waruna Wilpatha of Sri Lanka then presented his credentials. The president conveyed his warmest wishes to the new president of Sri Lanka, wishing him much success. He also expressed his sorrow over the terrorist attack in Sri Lanka in April of this year. “Israel will continue to stand by Sri Lanka in the global struggle against terrorism, which threatens the security of the whole world.”
Ambassador Wilpatha thanked the president for his remarks and said that his country would welcome a strengthening of relations between the countries in a range of fields and that he would work to do so during his time here.
The next to arrive at Beit HaNasi was the new Korean ambassador, Suh Dong Gu. The president spoke warmly about his recent visit to Korea last July and thanked President Moon for his warm welcome, inviting him to make a return visit to Israel.
“The free trade agreement is an important achievement for both countries. It is the first time we have signed such an agreement with an East Asian country and I am sure it will help build stronger and deeper relations between us,” said the president. “During my visit, I learned that Israel and Korea have much in common: thousands of years of history, few natural resources and security challenges. Israel and Korea became independent states in difficult conditions, but we both overcame challenges.” The president spoke about how impressed he was with Korea’s advanced technologies, as well as its rich and vibrant culture. He said that his visit strengthened his feeling that there is a strong basis for cooperation between the two countries.
The Korean ambassador thanked the president warmly for his remarks, saying “Your successful visit to Korea gave precious momentum to our bilateral ties. I will use that momentum to advance our relations during my time here.” The ambassador also noted the similarities between the two countries, remarking on a shared national character that values family and education. “I was at the opening of the Knesset and thought to myself that Israel is a miracle, just as Korea is a miracle. I think we can bring these miracles together and that technological cooperation between us can help create more miracles.”
Photo: President Rivlin with Ambassador of India H.E. Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Singla
The last to present his credentials to the president was the Ambassador of India, Sanjeev Kumar Singla. The president spoke of his particularly warm memories of his visit to India with his late wife Nechama ז"ל. “I had the honor of hosting former president Mukherjee on his historic visit to Israel and we developed a remarkable friendship. Israel and India cooperate in a wide range of fields, civilian and military. We consider our security cooperation as a strategic asset. I hope our cooperation in this field will keep developing. We know that the question of water is at the top of Prime Minister Modi's agenda and it came up in my visit to India and his visit here. I hope we will continue to push forward our cooperation on this. The opening of Air India's flights over the Gulf and Saudi Arabia is an example of how cooperation between Israel and India can advance peace in the Middle East." The president invited the Indian president to visit Israel, saying "I would be so happy to welcome him here to Jerusalem."
The ambassador thanked the president for his welcome and relayed the warm wishes Prime Minister Modi asked to send to the president. He told the president “the three priorities we hope to work on are water, agriculture, and innovation. Your visit to India helped advance the warm relations between our countries and I hope that during my time here they will develop even further.” He added, “Mr. President, I am happy to tell you that the sapling you planted during your visit to India is now an 8-foot tall tree.”
Photo credit: Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO)
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- Written by George Prajza and David Goland
His Excellency, Italian Ambassador to Israel Gianluigi Benedetti and his wife Mrs. Sabina Benedetti D'Antonio hosted an exclusive reception at their very elegant Ramat Gan residence. The evening which included an opening dinner for The Fourth World Week of Italian Cuisine was attended by an array of guests including Italian/Israelis and the whose who of the culinary world in Israel and around the globe.
Italian diplomatic missions in 110 countries around the world and numerous institutions in Italy and worldwide are celebrating this event, which runs from 18 to 24 November 2019. This year’s theme is "The Culture of Taste”. The event aims to promote quality Italian cuisine and Italian farm produce abroad. It is fast becoming a premier event of global acclaim.
After delicious hors d'oeuvres prepared by Chef Arcangelo Dandini with Emanuela Panke and Michele Bozzetto the guests were invited to hear the Ambassador's speech, as His Excellency introduced Chef Dandini and Wine Expert Mr. Fabio Piccoli Director of Wine Meridian magazine. In his speech, H.E. Ambassador Benedetti greeted chefs from Italy who are in Israel to participate in Italian Israeli workshops for scientists. He thanked several Italian bodies in Israel who have worked on forty related events around Israel: The Italian Cultural Institute, the Italian Trade Agency, The Israeli-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The Accademia Italiana della Cucina and the Italian Government Tourist Bureau. A poignant moment in the evening’s celebrations was when the ambassador passionately reflected on the flooding which has plagued Venice. He sought assistance for this on-going tragedy in Venice.
A delegation of approximately 10 young Italian chefs arrived in Israel, especially for this event. Chef Arcangelo Dandini leads these talented chefs, and he artfully created sumptuous dishes typical of Rome. This taste of Italy began with wines from a variety of regions from Italy. Aperol, Campari and Ferrarelle water were also flown in for the enjoyment of the guests. From the appetizers to the smooth, rich, dark espresso, the meal amazed our palates with exquisite tastes and textures. Guests were feted with an imaginative array of Italian cuisine. The menu consisted of Suppli cacio e pepe, Mozzarella in carrozza. Frittata di bucatini, Mezzi rigatoni burro e alici , Ombrina e garum, Caponata, VOV, and Zuppa Inglese. The evening was a delightful combination of Italian hospitality and extraordinary food and beverages.
Among the guests were H.E. the Ambassador Emanuele Giaufret, Head of the European Union Delegation and his wife , Vice President of the Italian-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Roberto Della Rocca, Delegate of the Italian Academy of Cuisine (Accademia Italiana Della Cucina) Dr Cinzia Klein , Vice Delegate Sabrina Fadun, businesswoman Mrs. Giordana di Castro, marketing councilor Dr. Joelle Inowlocki ,Letizia Della Rocca representative & owner of Sitam Israel Fashion School , Anat Carlquist and others members of the Accademia, Ofer Sachs , former Israeli Ambassador to Italy, Egyptian Ambassador to Israel H.E. Khaled Amzi, Ronni Benatoff president of Chamber of Commerce Italy -Israel, Russian Ambassador to Israel H.E. Anatoly Viktorov, Ambassador Amos Radian , Honorary Consul of Italy for Haifa and Nord of Israel Carlo Gross, George Athanassiou Area manager for Alitalia and Ran Pollak Sales Manager of Alitalia in Israel, Plastic Surgeon Dr. Dov Klein, the famous chef Master Chef winner Massimiliano Di Matteo, Comites presidents avv. Beniamino Lazar and Rafael Barki, Revital Ben-Asher Peretz ( Tel Aviv Municipality , Unifil General Del Col, RAI journalists Piero Marrazzo and Raffaele Genah, Gelateria Arte owners, Marco Camorali and Sissi Pagani, Moshe Barel owner of Pasta Della Casa.
Diplomacy.co.il congratulates the Italian Embassy and the organizers on a magnificent opening dinner for the Fourth World Week of Italian Cuisine. We wish them great success in their quest to share their passion and love of Italian cuisine with Israel and the world.
Photos by Silvia Golan
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- Written by Jonathan Danilowitz
The elegance of Tel Aviv University’s glittering Smolarz Auditorium was the appropriate site when the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Israel celebrated the country’s 70th anniversary. A glittering location for a glittering party hosting the glittering guests. It would be easier to list who wasn’t there from Israel’s diplomatic corps, government officials, Chinese residents and visitors, and Israeli VIP society members, but it’s impossible not to mention Ron Prosor, former Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Chief of State Protocol in the Israeli Foreign Ministry - Meron Reuben, Gilad Cohen, (deputy director general for Asia and the Pacific in the Foreign Ministry) , Tzachi Braverman the secretary of the Cabinet of the Prime Minister;Nitza Raz-Silbiger, Director of State Protocol, Yona Bartal, representative of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, Asher Ben Artzi, former chief superintendent of the Israeli Police and Superintendent Moti Meiry representative of the Israeli Police.
His Excellency Ambassador Zhan Yongxin and other embassy staffers greeted arriving guests and welcomed them to the lovely reception in the glass auditorium lobby. Guests mingled happily, partaking of the generous buffet dinner and open bar (including beer from China with special labels to mark the occasion), greeting old friends and making new ones. The mix of languages was exciting, with Hebrew speakers almost outnumbered by Chinese and English – and many other tongues. It was a fine mix of cultures, an indication of China’s importance on Israeli the diplomatic scene.
Guests were then invited into the main auditorium for the evening’s entertainment. The Shanghai Chinese Orchestra (SHCO), founded in 1952, was brought to Israel especially for this event, for this one performance.
The Ambassador opened the proceedings with a memorable address, first welcoming the guests, and then with a fascinating outline of China’s amazing economic, diplomatic, technological, scientific and cultural advances over the years. The Chinese statistics are mind-boggling; perhaps the number that amazed your correspondent most was the fact that China is Israel’s second largest trading partner in the world, and that in 2018 alone, trade between the two states amounted to almost $14 billion. Tourism is growing quickly too, with multi-airline direct flights being added between Israel and China at an unprecedented rate. By the end of the first half of 2019, 80,000 tourists from China had already entered Israel.
In conclusion, H.E. congratulated Israel and her people once again, and raised a glass in a toast to prosperity for the host country.
MK Yoav Gallant, Israel’s Minister of Absorption & Immigration, responded on behalf of the State of Israel. After thanking the Ambassador for his kind words, and after congratulating the People’s Republic of China on reaching her 70th anniversary, he noted that with China at 70, and Israel at 71: “ …neither of our nations are young, since they represent civilizations that have existed for thousands of years with rich histories and cultures that contributed much to humanity as a whole in so many ways. While we each sit at opposite ends of the Asian continent - China in the East, Israel in the west - we share between us many values, such as the sanctity of family, education and excellence. These values serve as a basis for the understanding, friendship and trust between our people.”
Mr. Gallant spoke of expanding multi-lateral ties, of expanding trade and of further understanding and dialog between the nations, for the mutual benefit of both countries. “To conclude, on this special day, I would like to warmly wish you, Mr. Ambassador, and the government and the people of the People's Republic of China, peace, security, prosperity and success. May the friendship and the good relations between our two countries continue to flourish”.
A beautiful rendering of the national anthems of China and Israel ended the evening’s formalities. The SHCO performers, in national dress, took to the stage, together with their strange (to western eyes) musical instruments. The music was strange too (again, to western ears) but hauntingly beautiful. We were treated to pieces with dramatic names that included, amongst others, “The Silk Road”, “Dancing Bees”, “Butterfly Lovers” and the erotic “Farewell to My Concubine”. The words of the SHCO Director, in the program, summed it up beautifully: “Let the audience … have understanding and love of Chinese folk music … build a solid bridge of cultural communication between China and Israel”. How true.
To end the evening guests were invited back to the lobby for deserts and liqueurs, a delightful culmination to a very special diplomatic event.
The Director and staff of www.diplomacy.co.il share their good wishes to the Ambassador and to the People’s Republic of China on this auspicious occasion.
Photos By Silvia G. Golan
© Copyright, Jonathan Danilowitz 2019.
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- Written by Steven Aiello
The Holocaust was one of the darkest periods in human history, but the brave individuals who took bold steps to save the lives of strangers represent beacons of humanity. Last week the Embassy of the Philippines in Israel commemorated the legacy of one such hero, President Manuel Quezon.
At a time when Europe had gone dark, and Jewish refugees were being turned away from many countries, President Quezon opened the doors of the Philippines, offering safe haven to Jews in need. This courageous step came despite vocal opposition from the US State Department (which at the time exercised control over entry to the country). In total, nearly 1,300 Jews were saved in the Philippines, but Quezon was willing to take tens of thousands more and had pressured the US government for more visas, even pledging his own land to house Jewish refugees.
The Embassy of the Philippines held two events this week to continue the important mission of educating about this inspiring story. On October 27, the film Quezon’s Game premiered in Tel Aviv, with guests of the embassy enjoying the drama based on the true story of Quezon’s efforts. On October 29, Balai Quezon--Quezon House, was inaugurated at the embassy, as an educational center to honor and promote the values of Quezon’s “Open Door” policy.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research, Mr. Ernesto C. Abella, was in Israel to join both events. He noted that the efforts of the Philippines to save Jewish lives reflects “the belief in their basic right to exist and pursue a life of freedom and fulfillment,” a fundamental sentiment that was unfortunately absent during much of this dark period.
Philippine Ambassador to Israel Mr. Neal Imperial explained that Quezon’s Open Door policy “remains the cornerstone of the deep and lasting friendship between the Philippines and Israel and that Balai Quezon was a fulfillment of a half-decade dream “to find a place that would honor this special moment in history between our peoples.”
Gilad Cohen, Deputy Director-General for Asia and the Pacific at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs added his own blessings to the efforts of the Embassy of the Philippines in Israel, and the Israeli Embassy in the Philippines, to educate about this important story, and informed the audience that the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs had requested that Yad Vashem, Israel’s premier Holocaust museum, give formal recognition to the Open Doors policy.
In addition to diplomatic guests of the embassy and those with ties to both countries, those in attendance included Jews who had survived the war years in the Philippines, such as Mr. Max Weissler and Ms. Margot Pins Kestenbaum, “Manilers” who now live in Israel.
Diplomacy.co.il congratulates the Embassy of the Philippines on these important efforts to promote stronger ties between countries and highlight the fundamental humanity of Quezon’s message.
Photo 1-
DFA Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research Ernesto C. Abella (center), Philippine Ambassador to Israel Neal Imperial (left), and Mr. Yaron Mayer, Director for Southeast Asia Department of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (right) during the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to inaugurate the Balai Quezon (Quezon House) and launch the exhibition entitled “The Philippines and Israel: An Enduring Friendship, A Growing Partnership”.
Photo 2- (L-R) Unveiling of Quezon portrait. Mr. Yaron Mayer, Director for Southeast Asia of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs; DFA Undersecretary Ernesto C. Abella; Ambassador Neal Imperial, Consul Shimon Weinbaum; and artist Celeste Lecaroz during the unveiling of “Manuel L. Quezon in Spontanrealismus”
Photos provided by the Embassy of the Philippines
Steven Aiello
Founder--DebateforPeace
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- Written by Hassan Hassan
The Embassy of Switzerland in Israel celebrated 70 years of great diplomatic friendship in a VIP event for officials at Pastel Restaurant in Tel Aviv.
H.E. Jean-Daniel Ruch, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Israel; Andreas Guth, chairman of Dreyfus Söhne & Cie, Banquiers- Swiss Private bank; Ofer Kiesh, CEO of Lufthansa Airline company; Gad Proper, Chairman of the Israel-EU Chamber of Commerce : government members, businessmen, journalists, and others participated as well. The national day for Switzerland also featured events open to the public next to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, where Swiss traditions, culture, and costumes were shared with the Israeli public.
The Swiss Ambassador Jean-Daniel Ruch addressed those that attended the event, stating that Switzerland celebrates “70 years of friendship, partnership, and striving relationship in all fields: cultural, economic, and innovation”. He added that it is also “an occasion to celebrate two cities: Basel and Tel Aviv, two cities that help change the world”. The Ambassador also praised the generous efforts of those who aim to forge the relationships between Israel and Switzerland by their contributions. These included Andreas Guth, chairman of Dreyfus Söhne & Cie, Banquiers- Swiss Private bank; Gideon Hamburger, the president of Harel Insurance and Finance Group; Ofer Kiesh, CEO of Lufthansa Airline Company; Richard Wherlock, and those in charge of the ballet performance that evening. Richard Wherlock, from the cultural field of Switzerland, stated that it is a privilege to “make things from the impossible into possible” and to share with Israel “love, passion, honesty, and sincerity”.
The warm atmosphere of the VIP event paved the way for other members to share points of view in different fields such as politics, technology, culture, and economic purposes. Both sides, Israeli and Swiss officials, shared their knowledge and their passion to further develop the relations between the two nations.
As for the public event, Israelis flooded in for Swiss cultural music, performances, and food.
The Swiss carnival was an outstanding performance that caught the public's attention. The Embassy of Switzerland gave away many gifts for the public. This joyful and rich event turned all the evening into an outstanding experience for both nations.
Happy Swiss National Day from www.diplomacy.co.il Staff !!!!!
Hassan Hassan is a member of Debate for Peace
Photos by Silvia Golan
