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JERUSALEM, Israel – Earlier this year, the Latin American country of Guatemala became the second nation after the United States to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. CBN News was on hand to see Guatemala's new ambassador present his credentials to Israel's president.

The ceremony began with pomp and circumstance and Guatemala's national anthem.

 

 

 

Then Ambassador Mario Bucaro presented his diplomatic credentials to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.

 

Rivlin noted the long friendship between Guatemala and Israel.

"As we all know, Guatemala is one of the oldest friends of Israel. I still remember when I was 10 years old that in 1947, Guatemala initiated 13 Latin America states to recognize Israel," Reuven recalled. "Now as you have said, we have the embassy of Guatemala here in Jerusalem."  

"We're friends forever, I would say. Since the founding of the State of Israel, Guatemala has been a friend. But you also have been a friend always," Bucaro said.  "My mission and the orders that I have received from the president is that we can strengthen even more our relationship."

 

 

 

The ceremony ended when President Rivlin invited Ambassador Bucaro to sign the president's guest book.  

 

Later, the new ambassador and his wife were guests of honor at a reception hosted by Mike Evans and the Friends of Zion Museum. Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely came to greet Ambassador Bucaro along with ambassadors from most of Central America.

"I feel blessed with a great responsibility, but I'm very happy. It's an amazing time in Israel," Bucaro said. "It's such a privilege because since I was a child, my mom used to sing me a song that one day I would be in Jerusalem and today I am here and I am able to honor that."

"We have the vast majority of the ambassadors from Central America here," Evans said. "And what are we talking about? We're talking about God blessing their countries and blessing them. It's an amazing thing. It's part of the prophecy."  

Before his posting as Guatemala's ambassador, Bucaro served as CBN's regional director for Latin America.

"I just want to thank all the audience of CBN and especially the donors of CBN because for almost 10 years I have been part of this family. I continue to be a part of this family of CBN. Thanks, Gordon Robertson and Pat Robertson for their vision and their example, and I'm here also to be able to tell the world the love that I have for Christ, based on their example too and the best is yet to come," he said.

 

Dr. Mike Evans Presents Guatemalan Ambassador Mario Bucaro with 'Friend of Zion' award, Photo, Silvia Golan

 

"He's not only an ambassador, but he's also a believer, and a strong, solid believer, an intercessor," Evans responded. "So he's our brother in the Lord and evangelicals are the ones who made it happen in Guatemala as they did in America."  

And what did Bucaro write in President Rivlin's guestbook?

"Hineni. Here I am. I'm here in Jerusalem. I'm here to serve and to serve Guatemala and to serve Israel."

 

To read the full article:

https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/israel/2018/october/new-guatemalan-ambassador-bucaro-celebrates-jerusalem-move-here-to-serve

 

 Photos by Silvia Golan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin this morning, 25 October / 16 Cheshvan, received diplomatic credentials from the new Ambassadors of Cameroon, Guatemala, Germany, Hungary, and Japan to the State of Israel at a ceremony at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. Each ceremony began with the raising of the flag, inspecting an IDF guard of honor and the playing of the national anthems of the ambassador’s country and of the State of Israel by the Israel Police Band. The new ambassador presented their credentials to the president and signed the guest book. Later in the morning, the president met the President of the Bundestag, Wolfgang Schäuble, who is visiting Israel.

 

 

First to present his letter of credence was HE Ambassador Jean-Pierre Biyiti Bi Essam of Cameroon. President Rivlin wished him all success in his post and said, “the relations between Israel and Cameroon are strong and important. Israel will continue to offer humanitarian aid to Cameroon, particularly in the fields of agriculture and medicine – building capacity, training, and instruction.”

The Cameroonian ambassador thanked the president and said, “I am delighted to be appointed Cameroon’s ambassador to Israel. The cooperation between our countries in the field of agriculture is very important and I hope we are able to deepen it. I well remember my first visit here in 2002 and am happy to return here as ambassador.”

Following this, HE Ambassador Mario Adolfo Bucaro Flores of Guatemala presented his credentials to the president. “Guatemala is one of Israel’s oldest friends,” said President Rivlin, recalling that Guatemala was the second country in the world to recognize Israel’s independence. “Here in Jerusalem, we have a Guatemala Street and a Guatemala School – and now the Guatemalan Embassy. The cooperation between our two countries in agriculture, water and medicine is flourishing and is important to both of us.”

The Ambassador of Guatemala said with emotion that he had come from his country’s embassy in Jerusalem. “Our countries have been friends forever, and you expressed the depth of that friendship when you came to our aid after the eruption of the volcano this year. The first three words I have learned in Hebrew are ‘tachles’ (down-to-earth), ‘pituach’ (development) and ‘shalom’ (peace). Let these three words be with us during our time here.”

 

 

 

Following this, HE Ambassador Dr. Susanne Wasum-Rainer of Germany presented her credentials. The president welcomed her back to Israel and said, “Our two countries share a painful past but it is the basis for our strong and important relations today. As I said to Chancellor Merkel last week, our people-to-people relations are just as important as our government-to-government links. Our countries share values and a hope for the future based on our shared belief in peace and democracy.”

The German ambassador thanked the president for his warm welcome and said, “this is an emotional moment for me. I feel like I am coming home. It is a great privilege to serve both our peoples in this way. The relations between our countries are strong and deep but we can always find new ways to enrich our relations.”

 

 

Next to present his letter of credence was HE Ambassador Levente Benko of Hungary. “Hungary was home to the Jews and today has the largest Jewish community in eastern and central Europe, as well as a thousand Israeli students studying there. The bilateral relationship is strong and I want to thank the Hungarian government for its support of Israel in the European and international arena. As we are witness to growing anti-Semitism in Europe, we must be clear that there is zero tolerance for anti-Semitism. We will continue to work together with you to ensure that the Jewish community in Hungary is safe and secure.”

The Hungarian ambassador thanked the president and said, “Relations between our countries are at a historical high. Hungary and Israel are like-minded when it comes to the big issues we face – national identity, sovereignty, and security. Hungary stands up for Israel in the European and international arena because we see Israel as an important strategic partner. Be assured, Mr. President, that Hungary will not tolerate anti-Semitism.”

 

 

Finally, HE Ambassador of Japan Koichi Aiboshi, presented his letter of credence to President Rivlin. “Welcome to Israel, Mr. Ambassador,” said the president. “This is an exciting time for our two countries, and the sun is indeed rising over Israeli-Japanese relations. We share a deep commitment to the same values – democracy, freedom and the pursuit of peace. I want to thank Japan for its investment in the Japan Agro-Industrial Park in Jericho. It is proof of the importance of doing what can be done, rather than talking about what cannot be done. I was happy to welcome Prime Minister Abe earlier in the year. He brought a large delegation of business leaders and we were delighted to see the cooperation deepen and widen over a large number of sectors.”

The Ambassador of Japan conveyed the good wishes of Emperor Akihito, and said, “The Japanese people thanks to the State of Israel for the medical aid after last year’s earthquake. This exemplifies the deep friendship between the countries. I am proud that over the last ten years Japan has worked with partners in Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan to establish the Japan Agro-Industrial Park. We will continue to work to develop the excellent relations we have in the field of innovation and technology.”

 

Photos  Mark Newman  

 

 

 
 
 

On Sunday evening, September 16, the sounds and sights of traditional Chinese opera came to Tel Aviv, with an unforgettable performance at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. The performance, by the China National Peking Opera Company, was the centerpiece of an evening dedicated to commemorating the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.


Israeli and international diplomats, business and civil society leaders, met at the Museum of Art for a celebration of Chinese culture. After enjoying dinner in the lower atrium of the museum, guests were ushered into the auditorium for the official ceremony and the anticipated opera performance.


As they entered the hall, guests were shown beautiful messages in Chinese and Hebrew, and images of friendship between the two nations, including photos of Jerusalem with singing in Chinese in the background. Once all of the guests had arrived, the ceremony began with the playing of the national anthems.

 
 

H.E. Ambassador Zhan Yongxin welcomed the guests, noting that this was a double celebration--69 years of the People’s Republic of China, and 40 years since China’s economic reform and opening up to outside investment. The ambassador described how the country has developed as a result of the robust economic growth over the last 40 years. He noted specifically China’s annual GDP and foreign trade growing at rates of 9.5% and 14.5% annually, leading to an incredible rise in per capita disposable income by a factor of 100. In total, the ambassador reported that “more than 700 million Chinese people were lifted out of poverty, accounting for over 70 percent of the world's poverty population.”


The ambassador explained that this has also benefited China’s trade partners over the last 40 years, with China contributing 30% of global economic growth in recent years. He informed the audience that the 75 economic and trade cooperation zones that China has built abroad have resulted in 2.2 billion USD taxes revenue and 210 thousand jobs for host countries. This includes China, which is already Israel’s largest trading partner in Asia, and rapidly growing, with bilateral trade volume grew more than 20% in the first half of 2018. Ambassador Zhan also noted that China will hold the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai this November, with participation from 140 countries, including Israel.


Observing that Israel-China relations are at a high, the ambassador mentioned the visit by Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu to China last year and the subsequent establishment of the  China-Israel Innovative Comprehensive Partnership. Direct flights between Tel Aviv and Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong (and soon Chengdu) serve nearly 200,000 Israeli and Chinese travelers, with the Chinese tourism to Israel almost tripling in two years. Finally, the establishment of the Joint Committee on Innovation Cooperation and an Intergovernmental Mechanism of Economic and Technological Cooperation, and the opening of a Chinese Culture Center in Tel Aviv are further evidence of the growing ties between China and Israel. The minister closed with a toast to the friendship and success of the two nations.

 

 

 

Minister of Science, Technology and Space Ofir Akunis spoke on behalf of the Israeli government. Minister Akunis noted that although Israeli-Chinese diplomatic relations formally began only 26 years ago, the history of the two people goes back much farther. He noted a Jewish community in Kaifeng from the 10th century, as well as China serving as a safe haven for Jews from Russian pogroms in the late 19th century, and again during World War II for Jews fleeing the horrors of the Holocaust.


With this backdrop, the minister agreed with Ambassador Zhan that Israel-China relations are on the rise. He cited his own four visits to China, along with a recent visit by his Chinese counterpart, Mr. Wang, Minister of Science and Technology of China, and the upcoming visit by the vice president of China Mr. Wang Qishan, as further proof of the significance of Israeli-Chinese collaboration. This cooperation is particularly strong in the sciences, with researchers, scientists, academics, and government agencies partnering on a range of topics, and the opening of the Guangdong Technion Israel Institute of Technology in China. Fittingly, the minister finished his remarks by presenting a book on Israeli innovation to the ambassador.

 

 

Following the speeches, the guests enjoyed a remarkable performance by the Peking Opera Company, which performed three short operas: On the Crossroads; The Palace of Eternal Youth, and the Monkey King. The lively sounds and colors of the opera soon enveloped the hall, and the applause after each performance and at the end of the evening was thundering.

 

 

Along with numerous members of the Israeli and international diplomatic corps, the distinguished guests in attendance included former Knesset member and minister Orit Noked; Professor Moshe Lewenstein, deputy president of Bar Ilan University; Professor Danielle Gurevich, director of the Asia division at Bar Ilan University;  Ofer Dahan-Director of International Division at Bar Ilan University;; Yona Bartal, representative of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation; former basketball player Tal Brody, and Roni Klein, Global Sales Director at IDE technologies.


Diplomacy.co.il offers congratulations to the embassy of the People’s Republic of China on this important anniversary, and best wishes for years of prosperity and friendship.

 
Steven Aiello
Founder--DebateforPeace
 
Photos Silvia G. Golan
 
 More pics at Facebook Israel Diplo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

On Tuesday evening, October 9, the Korean embassy in Israel celebrated its national day, with a festive reception at the Embassy in Herzliya. The evening celebrated past and present Korean achievements, marking Korea’s national day with traditional Korean food, a display of Samsung innovations, and a dance performance that mixed the past with the contemporary.

 Korean singer Lee DamJi opened the evening by performing the national anthems of both Israel and the Republic of Korea.

 

 

H.E. Mr. Choi Yong-hwan then welcomed the guests to Embassy, noting that this year marks 70 years for both Israel and Korea as modern states. The ambassador pointed out that during those 70 years, relations between North and South Korea have been up and down. The ambassador expressed his optimism in light of recent diplomatic developments between the governments of North and South Korea and emphasized his hope for a peaceful future for the Korean peninsula, as well as for Israel.

 

 Ambassador Choi Yong-hwan emphasized the link between Israel and Korea in having robust democracies and market economies, which have led both countries to flourish in the last 70 years. This has also led to closer ties since diplomatic relations between the two countries was established in 1962. The ambassador noted that Korean car-producers (Hyundai and Kia) have been the top two in new car sales in Israel for the last three years, along with the popularity of Samsung and LG phones and other appliances. Acknowledging Israeli technological innovation as well, the ambassador recognized the  Korea-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation (KORIL-RDF) for its success in raising $57 million in joint funding for R&D projects, as well as a Free Trade Agreement, now in its final stage, that is expected to increase Israeli-Korean economic cooperation even more.

 

Moving to the cultural side, the ambassador mentioned the annual K-pop contest, now in its 7th year, which is attended by Israeli fans of Korean music. He pointed out that Neta Barzilai, Israel’s Eurovision winner this year, had in fact been inspired by K-pop music with her own winning Eurovision entry. Noting many more opportunities for cultural sharing, such as food and cosmetics, the ambassador cited a Korean expression, which translates to “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”

 

 

Minister of Regional Cooperation Tsachi Hanegbi spoke on behalf of the Israeli government. The minister noted that although the countries are geographically far, they are close in many other ways, with shared values and similar stories of perseverance over adversity.

 

The minister reiterated the success of both Korean and Israeli technological innovation, of free trade between the two nations, and of joint technological research ventures. He also remarked upon the rise in tourism, with a 20% increase in Korean visits to Israel in the last year. Finally,  minister Hanegbi noted the cooperation between the two countries in the area of national security and military defense technology. The minister finished his remarks by offering congratulations, and his blessings for peace and prosperity in Korea.

 

Following the speeches, guests enjoyed a contemporary dance performance, itself a collaboration between an Israeli and Korean dancer, who acted out a traditional Korean fairy tale. Traditional Korean dishes were then served for dinner.

 

Along with numerous members of the Israeli and international diplomatic corps, the distinguished guests in attendance included Major General (Res.) and former ambassador Matan Vilnai;Honorary Consul of France Nathalie Mimoun; Ambassador Yitzhak Eldan, head of the Israeli Center for Young Leaders and the Israel School for Young Ambassadors; Ambassador Meron Reuven, Chief of Protocol for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs;  Dr. Lihi Yariv-Laor, former head of the department of Asian studies at Hebrew University (which offers Israel’s only BA in Korean studies);Ehud Rassabi, Chairman of the Board of Ilan, the Israel Foundation for Handicapped Children; Samsung Managing Director Koh and business manager Daniel Rhee, and Dan Crivolotti of YONACO - Korea business experts.

 
 
 

 

 Diplomacy.co.il offers congratulations to the embassy of the Republic of Korea on this important anniversary, and best wishes for years of peace and prosperity.

 

Photo Silvia Golan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, this evening (Tuesday, 3 July 2018), attended an event in honor of American Independence Day hosted by US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman.

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

"It's a wonderful celebration of 4th of July anytime in Israel but this year it's special. This year President Trump moved the embassy after declaring Jerusalem Israel's capital. In the UN -- a powerful defense of Israel day in, day out.

And you remember that Iran nuclear deal? Remember that? President Trump decided to leave this bad deal and he did the greatest thing for the security of the world and for the security of Israel. Now, you should know that this is not yet universally accepted. And I can tell you that this week there's going to be a meeting and the meeting is going to be in Europe. Can you hear me? You got to hear this. Listen to me carefully. There is a meeting this week by the P4 without the United States. They are going to discuss how to go around the decision that President Trump and the United Stated made to leave this bad deal, which is funding Iran's terrorism and its aggression with billions of dollars.

 

There is in the same week something extraordinary. The P4 invited Iran's President Rouhani to attend that meeting. But at the same time, in recent days, this same regime dispatched a terrorist cell to carry out a major terrorist action in France. The commander of this terrorism cell was an Iranian diplomat in Austria. Fortunately, the plot was exposed. The cell's Iranian members were arrested in France, Belgium, and Germany. France and Germany are part of the P4. At the time of their capture, the cell members had explosives, detonators and more. European authorities are now completing their investigation and are expected to charge the Iranian agents and cell members behind the plot.

This Iranian terror plot was planned on the soil of Europe on the same week that the European leaders are supposed to meet the President of Iran about circumventing the sanctions on Iran. Here's my message to the European leaders: Stop funding the very regime that is sponsoring terrorism against you and against so many others. Stop appeasing Iran.

This is what President Trump has said but he's gone well beyond saying it. This is what he is doing. And we in Israel can appreciate this.

We're grateful for America's independence. We're grateful for America's strength. We're grateful for America's alliance with Israel.

 

 

Now, you know I'm both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister so I can tell you: We have relations with 160 countries and some of these are terrific friends. But there is no friendship like the friendship between Israel and the United States of America. American has no greater friend than Israel. Israel has no greater friend than America.

What makes this alliance so powerful? So enduring? What makes it so? Well, one thing – common values. We have common values that are clear – it's freedom, liberty, democracy. These aren't hollow slogans. They are the bedrock of Western civilization. They're the secret of America's success and of Israel's success. They're the secret of our ingenuity – Israel's and America – the big leaders of technology in the world. I'm a diplomat so I have to be careful. There are only two places, they say, where everything is happening. We have tremendous respect for American ingenuity, for American creativity, for American mobility, for American capacities in every field.  And we know where that comes from. It comes from a free society, from free discussion. We argue about everything. Believe me, I know. We have a free press. Believe me, I know. We have free speech. We have freedom of religion. Freedom, liberty, democracy. Real values. Here's what the Liberty Bell says, inscribed on it: 'Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all of its Inhabitants'.  We know that phrase. It comes from the Bible. It comes from Leviticus. So much of America's heritage is rooted in the Hebrew Bible. It is in the Bible that our prophets consoled us. They said the exiles will be gathered back to our ancient homeland. We will restore our national life here. We will restore our capital Jerusalem.

 

 

And 70 years later, President Trump brought the embassy to Jerusalem. David, I have one message for you. I have one request: Next year in Jerusalem. This is a fine and beautiful hall, immaculately done. Next year in Jerusalem right next to the American embassy. There can't be a more glorious gathering with greater friends.

Thank you all. God bless America. God bless Israel and God bless the alliance between America and the State of Israel."

 

 

Photos by Silvia G. Golan