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- Written by Jonathan Danilowitz
The crème of Jerusalem diplomatic elite gathered last week at the Inbal Hotel, in response to the invitation of Guatemala’s Ambassador to Israel, H.E. Mario Búcaro, to honor Werner Loval Guatemalan Consul in Jerusalem.
In his address to the gathering, the ambassador said: “We are here to honor a true friend of Guatemala, whose legacy goes way beyond just recognition. He was Israel’s first ambassador to our country 60 years ago when Israel opened its first embassy in Central America, and we all remember his grace and dignity, and his willingness to serve both Israel and Guatemala. Today, thousands benefit from this alliance and friendship. His legacy prevails.” He added many warm and endearing remarks about the new Consul.
Ambassador Búcaro then presented Mr. Loval with a beautiful commemorative plaque and at the same time, in a heartfelt gesture, a beautiful bouquet to Mr. Pamela Loval.
In response, Mr. and Mrs. Loval’s son read out their acceptance speech. Speaking on behalf of his father, he noted Guatemala’s strategic support for Israel way back in 1947 when the UN voted to partition British-Mandate Palestine into Arab and Jewish states; then in 1949 when Guatemala headed a small group of countries to invite Israel to become a United Nations member – the 50th UN member! And again in 1955, when Guatemala opened its embassy in Jerusalem – the 1st country to do so.
He noted too that today, all Israelis appreciate that the Guatemalan embassy is now back in Jerusalem. “Mr. Ambassador – this happened on your watch, as did so many other achievements!” He ended his address with a heartwarming “Viva Guatemala, viva Israel”.
Before the generous buffet dinner that followed, the national anthems of both countries were sung. H. E. Amb. Búcaro sang the Guatemalan anthem, of course, and then to the surprise of many, Israeli anthem as well. What a gesture of empathy.
Among the many distinguished guests in attendance were Ambassador Meron Reuben, Chief of State Protocol in the Israeli Foreign Ministry; Ambassador Modi Eprahim, Deputy Director-General for Latin America and the Caribbean MFA and Ambassador Oren Bar El, Director for Central América and México in the Israeli Foreign Ministry and Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, Mrs Fleur Hassan-Nahoum .
The director and staff of www.diplomacy.co.il join in wishing Consul Loval continued success.
Photos Courtesy of the Guatemalan Embassy in Israel
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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 Omri Weinstock
The Embassy of Nepal in Israel celebrated four years of the new Constitution of Nepal at the Herods Hotel in Tel Aviv, with traditional clothing, cuisine and artifacts.
After hearing the Nepali and Israeli anthems, the Nepali ambassador Dr. Anjan Shakya began her opening speech. She started by explaining how happy she is to be representing Nepal in Israel, thanks to the friendly attitude of people in Israel. The ambassador also praised Israeli democracy following the latest elections. Ambassador Shakya mentioned some interesting points about the history of Israeli-Nepali relations, such as the fact that Nepal was the first country in south Asia to recognize Israel. The ambassador noted that those relations have now existed for 60 years.
Dr. Shakya thanked the Israeli government and Mashav's assistance in training and educating Nepali students and therefore strengthening different sectors of the country. The newly introduced techniques, methods and technologies contribute to Nepal by boosting the agriculture and production. Later on, the ambassador emphasized how progressive Nepal's constitution is. She explained how it addresses ethnic diversity and promotes gender balance. Thanks to legislation, around 40% of the members of the parliament are women and the president and vice president of Nepal should represent different communities of Nepali society.
Ambassador Shakya added that Nepal HAS marked the year 2020 as "Visit Nepal Year"- the Nepali government will put extra effort in enhancing tourism in Nepal in order to reach the 2 million tourists mark. Tourism is growing and successfully boosting the Nepali economy according to the ambassador, by contributing 7.9% to the national GDP. Dr. Shakya finished her remarks by noting the vast tourism possibilities in Nepal.
Gilad Cohen., deputy director general for Asia and the Pacific in the Foreign Ministry , spoke next. Mr. Cohen. started by recalling the history of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Israel. From the first visit of Prime Minister B. P. Koirala in Israel who met Israel's first prime minister, David Ben Gurion, to the terrible earthquake that occurred in April 2015 when an Israeli delegation consisting of hundreds of professionals assisted the Nepalese authorities in their rescue operations and medical needs.
Gilad Cohen then explained MASHAV's contribution to the people of Nepal by noting the passage of knowledge through courses in Israel and abroad. He praised the "Learn and Earn" agricultural training program for successfully training 3000 students in farming technology. These students then returned to Nepal with knowledge and experience that has "opened for them a world of entrepreneurial opportunities that will guarantee progress and modernizations of the farming community in Nepal”. According to the ambassador, this will improve the agriculture-based economy of Nepal.Mr. Cohen finished by thanking the government of Nepal for sending troops to UN peacekeeping forces UNIFIL and UNDOF to ensure stability in the region.
www.diplomacy.co.il congratulates the embassy of Nepal on this important day.
Omri Weinstock is a member of Debate for Peace
Photos Silvia Golan
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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
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- Written by Steven Aiello
Mexico Comes to Tel Aviv with Mexican Embassy Celebration at the Tel Aviv Municipality
On Monday September 16th, Tel Aviv municipality was transported to Latin America, with the annual Mexican Independence Day Festival. The Mexican Embassy in Israel celebrated 199 years of independence, with Mexican music, cuisine, and decor in the heart of Tel Aviv.
Guests entering the municipality building were immediately greeted with decorations in the Mexican colors, as they waited to congratulate the ambassador, H.E. Mr. Pablo Macedo. The finest imported Mexican beverages were served, along with Mexican delicacies prepared specially by the embassy. Mexican handcrafted clothing were on display as well.
Ambassador Macedo thanked the many sponsors of the event, and the municipality of Tel Aviv for helping with the event, and promised guests that together they had “brought Mexico to the heart of Tel Aviv.” The ambassador noted the importance of disruptive networks in contemporary business, and the role of the Mexican-Israeli community in connecting Mexico and Israel. He thanked all those who help to strengthen the ties between the two nations.
The real treat came when Ambassador Macedo himself led the traditional independence day reenactment, with guests chanting “Viva” after each stanza. A band then played the anthems of Mexico and Israel. The Mariachis band, with musicians wearing traditional clothing, then played lively Mexican songs, to a very enthusiastic audience. Ambassador Macedo delighted the guests by staying on stage and leading the singing of several songs.
Diplomacy.co.il congratulates the Embassy of Mexico on its Independence Day!
Steven Aiello Founder--DebateforPeace Forum
Photos by Silvia G. Golan
