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Photo : President Rivlin welcoming H.E Ms. Maria Gabriels Troya Rodriguez , Ambassador of Ecuador to Israel.
President Reuven Rivlin, this morning (Monday) at his residence, received the diplomatic credentials of new ambassadors to Israel from Ecuador, Ethiopia, Togo, Fiji, and Turkmenistan. Each ceremony began with the raising of the flag and the playing of the national anthem of the visiting country, included an honor guard, and - after the presentation of the credentials - the signing of the guest book, before the playing of Israel's national anthem 'Hatikva'.
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- Written by Steven Aiello
On Monday evening, Lithuanian, Israeli and Jewish influences met, in a unique blend of the classical and the contemporary. Lithuania’s National Day is February 16th, and a diverse group of diplomats and Israeli and Lithuanian guests joined to mark this occasion, and 25 years of diplomatic relations with Israel, with a special musical program at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
The program, which celebrated the 1918 Restoration of the State of Lithuania, brought the special “Window to Lithuania” collaborative music performance to Israel. “Window to Lithuania” brought together some of Lithuania’s greatest chamber music from the last 100 years in a masterful collaborative performance on piano, cello and violin by Dalia Dedinskaite, Gleb Pysniak, and Gintara Janusevious. It was held in the Tel Aviv Museum of Art’s Asia Auditorium, adjacent to the modern art wing. Unique to the occasion, images from the groundbreaking Lithuanian expatriate art collection were projected onto the backdrop of the stage.
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- Written by Silvia G Golan
This month marks the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the State of Israel. And this year in the traditional Chinese calendar begins the Year of the Rooster, which symbolizes good fortune and bright future.
The Chinese Embassy in Israel held a series of activities celebrating both occasions.
The first event took place last week at the Suzanne Dellal Centre in cooperation with the Embassy of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Culture of China. "Shaolin," a fabulous performance, was held in the presence of the Chinese Minister of Culture, followed by a reception.
This week the Chinese Ambassador H.E Zhan Yongxin held a reception with a fantastic performance of the China National Ballet Liaoning, under Mme. Qu Zijiao at the Herzliya Performing Arts Center. The host of the reception was Counsellor Cai Weiming, the deputy head of the mission. The national anthems of both China and Israel were played.
The Chinese Ambassador opened the formalities by greeting the guests (The full text of the ambassador’s remarks appears below.) Then Israel’s Minister of Science and Technology, MK Ofir Akunis and Member of Knesset in the Israeli Parliament, Erel Margalit, thanked Ambassador Zhan, and they were invited to sign three post cards featuring new stamps with the Menorah and Shofar symbols commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the State of Israel.
The guests of honor at the event included former Minister of Foreign Affairs David Levy, Israel’s Ambassador to China Matan Vilnai, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Orit Noked , Ambassador Meron Reuben - FM Protocol Chief , Itzhak Eldan – former Israel’s head of ceremony, Professor Dan Shechtman, Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2011 and many other distinguished guests.
www.diplomacy staff wishes a Happy Chinese New Year! Enjoy the celebrations for the Year of the Rooster!
Ambassador Yongxin’s remarks:
Remarks
At the Reception to Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of China-Israel Diplomatic Relations
And the Chinese New Year
By H.E. Zhan Yongxin, Chinese Ambassador to Israel
Jan. 23rd, 2017
Your Excellency Mr. Ofir Akunis, Minister of Science, Technology and Space,
Your Excellency Mr. Erel Margalit, Chairman of the Israel-China Friendship Group of the Knesset,
Your Excellency Mr. David Levy, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear friends,
Good evening! Erev Tov!
Today, we are here to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Israel. First of all, I'd like to express my high respect and sincere gratitude to all those who have dedicated and contributed to the growth of China-Israel friendship.
The exchanges between the Chinese and Jewish peoples date back to more than 1000 years ago. We always respect, admire, and sympathize each other. In the darkest days of WWII, our two peoples offered mutual support and assistance. On 24th January 1992, H.E. Mr. Qian Qichen, then State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, and H.E. Mr. David Levy, then Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Israel, signed the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Israel, which opened a new chapter in the history of our two great nations. Since then, we have seen expanding bilateral exchanges and cooperation, and growing mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples. Today, we are very happy to have Mr. David Levy join us. Mr. Levy, thank you!
In the past 25 years, many high-level visits took place between our two countries. We also established two governmental mechanisms supervising bilateral cooperation, namely China-Israel Joint Committee on Innovation Cooperation and China-Israel Inter-governmental Economic and Technical Cooperation.
In the past 25 years, our economic and trade cooperation developed rapidly. Now China is Israel’s largest trading partner in Asia and third largest in the world. Our trade volume surpassed $11 billion. China’s market is open to Israel. From January to November last year, Israel’s export to China increased by 15.7%. Our pragmatic cooperation has expanded from agriculture in the early days to desalination, food, sport, culture, chemical industry, cyber technology, etc. China’s investment to Israel has reached more than $6 billion. Last year, we started negotiations on FTA, in the good will to further boost our economic and trade cooperation.
In the past 25 years, our people-to-people exchanges flourished as well. In 1992, it was hard to see Chinese tourists in Israel. In 2016, nearly 80,000 Chinese came to visit Israel, with a 69% increase compared with 2015. On the other hand, “Happy Spring Festival” and other Chinese cultural activities like Dragon Boat Race also enrich the Israeli cultural life. The opening of more direct flight and the implementation of 10 year multi-entry visas will promote further exchanges and strengthen friendship between our two countries.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Two years ago, when I assumed office, I was looking forward to further promoting our bilateral relations into a more steady, more concrete and more deepening dimension. I mentioned that it was time for us to interpret planning into action and transform expectation into reality. Two years have passed, some expectations have turned into reality, some not yet. So, we shall roll up our sleeves to work harder in the coming years. Our experience in the past 25 years tells us that mutually beneficial and pragmatic cooperation is the best way for us to get along with each other, and it serves our common interests.
Four days later is the Chinese New Year of the Rooster, which means auspiciousness, hope, and happiness. Please allow me here to wish you all health and success in the new year, and more achievements of our bilateral cooperation!
Thank you! Toda Raba!
Photos : Silvia G Golan
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- Written by Steven Aiello
Many people are familiar with the number six million in the context of World War II—the number of Jews murdered in the Holocaust. On Wednesday night at the Cinematek theater, guests of the Philippines Embassy in Israel were introduced to a new number—1,300, the number of Jews saved during the war by the Philippines government and people.
The event, timed to coincide with International Holocaust Remembrance Day, included a private screening of the documentary “An Open Door: Holocaust Haven in the Philippines” by producer Noel Izon.
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- Written by President’s Spokesperson
President Reuven Rivlin met this morning (Wednesday), at his residence with ambassadors and charges d'affaires to Israel from countries in the Asia-Pacific, including; Australia, India, South Korea, Philippines, China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Japan, Myanmar, and Nepal.
He told the Ambassadors, “It is my privilege to host, and meet with all of you here in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, not just because of the long histories our peoples share, but because Asia is the present and the future. Your countries’ are working to develop new innovation, and we are all greatly impressed and appreciate this.”
Speaking of the importance of the bilateral and multilateral cooperation, the President said, “In the last decade we have increased the trade relationship between our peoples. Today, 27 percent of Israel’s trade is now with the Asia-Pacific. The cooperation is wonderful and we are looking to extend our partnerships with every one of you, and all together.”
He noted he was especially proud of the academic cooperation between Israel and the countries represented, and of the exchange of students as a way to bring peoples closer together.
"We know that events that happen on one side of the world impact on the other," added the President, and stressed, "We must all stand up, and cooperate against those who believe that fundamentalism is the only way. We have to be prepared to carry the burden of security which lies upon us, especially in the face of those who do not accept the very idea of Israel as a state.”
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Ambassador of Australia Dave Sharma thanked the President for his warm welcome and insights into the situation. He said, “We have here a diverse groups of countries, united around a couple of themes; support for the security of Israel and the well-being of the people of Israel; an appreciation of what Israel has achieved in its short history; and a deep appreciation for the unique struggles you face here.” He added, “I want to offer my thanks to you personally Mr. President, for the generosity of your time and involvement in our part of the world. You have visited many of our countries; as President, and as a Minister and Speaker of Knesset. We appreciate your support for the growing trade relations with our countries, and also your support for pluralism and equal rights for all peoples.”
Photo credit: Mark Neiman (GPO)
