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- Written by Marina Smolyanov
THE NATIONAL DAY OF REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA 2015
Many distinguished guests and members of the diplomátic community in Israel, gathered on June 30th at the sunset in the Slovenian ambassador residence in Hertzliya in honor of Slovenian 24th national day. Live Jazz and colorful mosaic of people contributed to the special ambience at the event.
The ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Israel her excellency Alenka Suhadolnik, welcomed the guests with great eloquence, humor and charm. She highlighted the beauty in the relationship between Israel and Slovenia which she was surprised to reveal during her 4 years of service. She expresessed her hope for the ties of friendship between Israel and Slovenia to continue growing even stronger in the coming years. "The potential is enormous, and we are committed to developing the relations between the countries".
The Deputy Director General for Europe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Aviv Shir-On, congratulated the Republic of Slovenia on the occasion of its National Day. "Slovenia has made great strides since declaring its independence and seceding from Yugoslavia in 1991. Israel was among the first countries to recognize Slovenia as an independent country and provided assistance in the Slovenian War of Independence,while the whole world stood indifferent".
He emphasized that Slovenia is a country known for its natural beauty, making it a highly attractive destination for tourists, including even medical tourism. Israelis have discovered Slovenia and so far thousands visited there each year.
Moreover, Mr Shir-On stated, that our countries enjoy growing economic relations, as is reflected in numerous areas, and especially in innovation. Additionally, the Israel-Slovenia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, based both in Tel Aviv and Ljubljana does important work to promote bilateral trade. In April this year, the CEO of the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute visited Slovenia to further advance trade relations between our two countries. He also mentioned that the port of Koper serves as an important gateway for the distribution of Israeli merchandise to Central Europe.
The guests were inspired to learn that Ljubljana has demonstrated its commitment to commemorating the memories of its Jewish community that perished in the Holocaust while trying to return the property of the victims and survivors to their families.
At the political level, Israel looks forward to strengthening the positive trend of mutual visits and to promote the excellent professional relations between our Foreign Ministries. In fact, at the begining of July, the political director of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alon Ushpiz, will be visiting Slovenia.
Israel and Slovenia also have a strong program of cultural exchanges in the fields of music, literature and the arts. There are growing numbers of books by Israeli authors that have been translated into Slovenian in recent years. Even the book Start-Up Nation, has been translated into Slovenian. Furthermore, an anthology of Israeli poetry will soon be published in Slovenia.
Towards the end of the event the ambassador awarded three finalists for the photography competition. The prize of a flight ticket to Ljubljana was sponsored by Josef Weiss, the owner of Adria Airways.
To conclude, Mr. Aviv Shir-Or expressed his gratitude, on behalf of the State of Israel, to the warm hospitality this evening. "Please convey our congratulations to your government and to the Slovenian People on the occasion of your National Day. May Slovenia enjoy growing prosperity, success, and peace".
Photos Silvia Golan
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- Written by Panama Embassy
Cultural farewell to New Israeli Ambassador to Panama
Tel Aviv, July 2, 2015: The Embassy of Panama in Israel gave a cultural reception to bid farewell to the new Israeli ambassador in Panamá, Gil Artzyeli and his wife Viviana.
Ambassador Artzyeli be traveling in the next few weeks to lead the Israeli diplomatic mission in Panama, and told the audience that he and his family are enthusiastic and found a choir of compatriots who have described a wonderful country a "Gan Eden" (Garden of Eden) for its natural beauty, but also an extremely interesting economic dynamics and especially its population.
Ambassador of Panama in Israel, Adis Urieta, said that both countries have served as geographical bridges for immigration and cultures, despite the distance between them, they are very similar.
Ambassador Urieta, including embassy staff, Marcelino Aviles, Second Secretary and Darnelys Vega, Attaché, and administrative officials as well as members of the Panamanian community in Israel, wished him successes Ambassador Artzyeli.
Among the members and friends of the Panamanian community in Israel, writers, architects, biologists, retirees, college students who have come to Israel, some temporarily and others to have taken root in this country were.
Photo Silvia Golan
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- Written by Bat-Zion Susskind-Sacks
Russian Federation’s National Day
Russia Day is celebrated on June 12th of each year. It marks the consolidation of Russian Statehood with its various symbols, the national flag, emblem and national anthem. The Supreme Soviet of Russia proclaimed it National Holiday since it was on this day in 1990 that the Declaration of the State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic was declared.
In Israel it was celebrated on Wednesday, June 10th in one of the few spacious and elegant ballrooms of the Dan Panorama Hotel in Tel Aviv.
Among the many distinguished guests of VIP’s, Minister of Immigration, Absorption and Jerusalem Affairs Zeev Elkin Ambassadors and various members of the diplomatic community, one could spot Former Foreign Affairs Minister, MK Avigdor Liebermann and Former Prime Minister MK Ehud Barak. Also present were representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church here in Israel.
In addition to the delectable buffet style meal composed of some Russian dishes and a colorful display of various desserts accompanied by an open bar, guests could also taste Russian beer and Vodka at some of the stands that were scattered around the ballroom.
The event also marked the end of His Excellency Sergei Yakovlev as his country’s Ambassador to Israel. In his farewell speech, Yakovlev, who spoke in Russian and English, thanked Israelis for their friendship and cooperation during his four years of service here.
Unlike Yakovlev, Elkin who spoke in Russian and Hebrew in more of a spontaneous manner, described the ever growing relationship between Russia and Israel on the political, economic and cultural levels. He also mentioned the deep rooted Russian culture in the Israeli one.
Russian pride and patriotism was expressed by Efraim-Fiodor Papernyi who praised President Putin for what he had done in honor of the victorious Red Army on the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
Dr. Amin Safieh, a member of the Israeli Druz community who is an honorary consul for Russia in Haifa also spoke. He expressed his gratitude to Yakovlev for his great service and wished him the best of luck in his next appointment.
Under the stewardship of Aleksander Kryukov, Counselor of the Russian Embassy, the evening was well planned and, without doubt, very successful
Photos by Silvia Golan
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- Written by Jonathan Danilowitz
117th Anniversary of Philippine Independence
The sparkle of the reception room at Tel Aviv’s Sheraton Hotel, normally outstanding, faded into insignificance besides the ladies and gentlemen in national regalia and costumes of the host country. The elegance of the fabrics, the designs, the embroidery and the colors were breathtaking. The “star”, modest as she is, was no doubt Ms. Octavia Leeman Imperial, the charming wife of his Excellency Nathaniel G. Imperial, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the State of Israel, the host of the glamorous event.
The invitees included many distinguished Ambassadors, Consuls and other members of the Diplomatic Corps in Israel, including, to name just two, Ambassador Branco Kesic of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Ambassador Sisa Ngombane of South Africa. Many Military Attachés graced the room in their own smart elegance, adding to the dazzle, including Captain Sophia Baranes of the Foreign Relations Section of the Israel Defense Forces, a rose among the “thorns”. Travel personalities included Boaz Waksman, Chairman of Ophir Tours, and David Hojman, CEO of Maman Aviation (which also represents Philippine Airlines in Israel). The who’s who of Israeli society mingled easily with the many diplomats and members of Filipino society in Israel.
A presentation of the national anthems of both countries signaled the start of the formal part of the evening. Philippine-Israel relations have always been warm and this was reiterated by the Ambassador in his welcome address to the guests. He remarked on the fine bilateral relations between his country and Israel stretching back to 1957, and made special mention of the large numbers of Filipino care-givers working in Israel and the almost universally good conditions under which they work “… the best working conditions in the Middle East”, as well as the number of Filipino students benefitting from their agricultural studies through the Granot AgroStudies Program in Israel. The Ambassador also quoted figures and statistics about the Philippine Republic’s economic stability and its importance in the Far East and as a member of ASEAN, and of APEC.
His Excellency touched on the growth in bi-lateral tourism between the two countries, and the importance of high-level visits by leaders of each country, to the other. He concluded by raising a toast to the good health of Israel’s Prime Minister and President, and to the continuing vibrant good Philippine-Israel relations.
In response, and representing the State of Israel, Mark Sofer, Deputy Director General and Head of the Asia & Pacific Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked the Ambassador and read out a letter of greetings and congratulations from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to H.E. Mr. Benigno Simeon Aquino III, President of the Republic of the Philippines. The Prime Minister’s letter made grateful mention of the fateful decision of the Philippine government to provide safe haven to thousands of Jews fleeing the Nazi atrocities in WW2, and also of the favorable Philippine vote at the United Nations in 1947, when Israel’s re-establishment was in question.
Mr. Sofer related how his own experiences in Manila confirmed just how open, warm and welcoming Filipinos are, so much so that when he mentioned to some of them the welcome that the distressed Jewish refugees had received, the locals were surprised that it could even have been any other way. Ambassador Imperial and Mr. Sofer then jointly cut into a beautiful cake bearing the flags of both countries as a fitting end to the introductions.
Perhaps the highlight of the evening was the really amazing performance presented by the “Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Group”. The group is in Israel thanks to cooperation between the Embassy and the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts. They will also be performing at the Philippines Tourism & Country Fair at the Castra Mall in Haifa on 17-18 June, a joint project of the Mall and Haifa Municipality.
The dancers were breathtaking in their elegance and style. Brilliant costumes, stamp-your-feet-tempo music, exquisite singing and unusual exhibits of timing, balance and joie-de-vivre.
Congratulations Philippines, and may the next 117 years take you to even higher plains of success and peaceful advancement.
Photos Silvia Golan
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- Written by Jonathan Danilowitz
Last Friday afternoon, a beautiful just-before-summer day in Israel: the setting: the delightful ambassadorial residence of His Excellency Carl Magnus Nesser, Ambassador of Sweden to the State of Israel. The purpose: to celebrate Sweden’s National Day (which is actually on the 6th June – the next day). The guests: decked out in summer finery and representing the Diplomatic Corps and the cream of Israeli society and commerce. A recipe for a wonderful meeting, and so it turned out.
Ambassador and Mrs. Nesser welcomed their guests with charm and warmth, accompanied on the receiving line by Col. Björn Blomberg, Sweden’s defense attaché in Israel. Guests mingled easily as drinks were served and an attractive buffet lunch invited them to partake. As I chatted pleasantly with Michael Storm and Marie Ericson, both working in Ramallah and representing Sweden on EUPOLCOPPS (a united effort to raise the Palestinian police to western standards), Michael suggested that I try “the typically Swedish herrings” from the buffet. “Comfort food” comes in surprising places. The pickled herring, the herring in mustard, the tomato herring, herring in cream sauce, marinated herring – it all reminded me of my family’s delicious Jewish traditional delicacies, and I am not Swedish. For non-herring fans, the generous buffet included many salads, smoked salmon, beef, fresh and roasted vegetables, sushi and more. Nobody went hungry, especially after the tables were cleared and desserts (including summer ice lollipops) appeared.
In his welcome address to the gathering, Ambassador Nesser explained the significance of the day and some of Sweden’s history, remaking that: “… those of us who studied and remember a bit of history are thankful that peace has reigned in our land for so long. And that our erstwhile rivals are now our closest friends”. He followed his comments concerning rivalry and friends with mention of the conflicts in the Middle East and Sweden’s grand efforts to bring peace to still-antagonistic foes in so many M.E. areas, including the Palestinian Authority and Israel. “As Europeans, neighbors and friends, supporting peace here remains a priority.”
Ambassador Nesser touched on the economic ties between Sweden and Israel, noting that Israel is listed as one of Sweden’s priority markets for trade promotion.
The Ambassador paid tribute – with an engaging touch of humor – to the Swedish commercial companies that provided generous support to the embassy, including SKF, ABB, SSAB, H&M, Volvo, AstraZeneca, Swedish Orient Line, Ericsson and SAS, the Scandinavian airline, which also donated airline tickets to Sweden as the prize in an ingenious competition – guests were invited to answer 8 questions about Sweden to win the prize.
Invitees were pleasantly surprised to hear Ambassador Nesser add a brief word of thanks – in Hebrew – to the government of Israel. Back in English he made special mention of, and thanked, the staff of the embassy for their efforts at making the reception such a success.
Responding on behalf of the State of Israel, Deputy Minister of Education, MK Rabbi Meir Porush congratulated the King of Sweden on the occasion of the country’s National Day, and also congratulated Sweden on its success in the very recent Eurovision contest (first place).
The Minister referred to Sweden’s peaceful past 200 years but also to Raoul Wallenberg, Sweden’s special envoy in Budapest in 1944. “I would like to take a moment to praise his heroic actions. Raoul did much to save the Jews of Hungary from the Germans and the fascist Hungarian regime. He was responsible for the rescue of more than 100,000 Jews, granting them Swedish travel documents or housing them in extraterritorial Swedish buildings in Budapest. In this way, he prevented the deportation of thousands to Auschwitz.
“The State of Israel has honored Raoul Wallenberg with the title of Righteous Among the Nations. He will forever be remembered as a man who tied his fate to the Jewish people, and his name is engrained in the collective memory of Jews
across Israel and throughout the world”.
Rabbi Porush made mention of the excellent economic ties between the two countries, and of Sweden’s popularity in Israel. “Sweden’s successful health and education policies, which ensure the wellbeing of its citizens, serve as a model for the world”. However, The Israeli MK did not omit to mention the unfortunate aspects of Swedish-Israel bilateral relations: “In Israel’s early years, we shared many common visions for the future, while lately, Sweden has taken steps that have cast a shadow over the relations between us and caused some discomfort in Israel. Despite this, there exists – on both sides – the will to keep our bilateral relations normal, to continue strengthening the economic and trade cooperation between us, and to further promote exchanges in the fields of culture and science”.
In conclusion he wished his Majesty the King of Sweden, the government, and the Swedish people good health and long life, prosperity and success in the coming years.
The formalities ended with a rendition of the Swedish national anthem, followed by the anthem of Israel, presented beautifully by Ms. Keren Eilenberg.
Amongst the distinguished guests were: David Castel, Consul of Sweden in Haifa and President of the Chamber of Commerce of Haifa and the North, Eva Taylor, the Ambassador’s personal assistant, Susanne Millner, Special Adviser for Culture and Public Diplomacy of the Finnish Embassy, Meir Shai of ABB Technologies Ltd, Prof. Michael Levitt, (Nobel Prize laureate, chemistry 2013), Silvia Golan, Executive Director of www.diplomacy.co.il and Eva Yaron, tour guide/emergency evacuation expert for the Swedish Embassy in Israel.
Another special guest was Israeli author Dror Mishani who has published several works based on Swedish crime fiction. “I read Swedish crime novels as my inspiration”, he told your Diplomacy correspondent. Ambassador Nesser presented Mishani with a special award from the Swedish Academy of Detective Fiction, for his novel “The Missing File”. Not bad for an Israeli author.
Sweden and Israel are poles apart, but you couldn’t tell from the way guests mingled. Diplomacy? Yes. But not without the genuine feeling of warmth and friendship engendered by Ambassador Nesser and his charming wife Maria.
Photos Silvia Golan
