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Exciting News From Herzliya!
The Herzliya Municipality is pleased to announce that the Eli Cohen Heritage Museum is launching, for the first time, guided tours in English, in response to the growing demand from tourists, delegations, and international visitors.
The new tours will offer English‑speaking guests the opportunity to discover the extraordinary story of Eli Cohen, one of the most influential and inspiring figures in the history of the State of Israel. Through a unique exhibition, personal artifacts, and an enriching visitor experience, the museum provides deep insight into his remarkable life and legacy.
Herzliya’s Mayor, Yariv Fisher, welcomed the initiative and emphasized that it represents another significant step in strengthening Herzliya’s status as a leading city in culture, heritage tourism, and education.
The tours will take place on scheduled dates and require advance registration.
For details and registration, please visit the museum’s website.
We look forward to welcoming you and sharing the extraordinary story of Eli Cohen — now also in English!
Website: https://www.elicohen-museum.co.il/
Phone number: 050-2003556
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094093522765
Photo: Government Press Office
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IMTM 2026, Israel’s International Mediterranean Tourism Market conference, marked its 32nd year by welcoming approximately 12,000 visitors on February 3, the opening day, at Expo Tel Aviv. The high turnout, along with a marked increase in international exhibitors, are clear signs of the recovering tourism industry in Israel, as well as strong interest by Israeli tourists in future travel to both new destinations and old favorites.
IMTM 2026 included nearly 100 booths, featuring more than 180 exhibitors from over 20 countries, with tourism industry leaders from airlines, hotel chains and cruise lines to travel agencies, travel startups, payment and logistics providers.
The opening ceremony was attended by dozens of diplomats and dignitaries, including Cypriot Deputy Tourism Minister Kostas Koumis and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, and opened by Minister of Tourism Haim Katz. Minister Katz noted that Israeli tourism is on the upswing, and touted the success of the I AM ISRAEL campaign, aimed at increasing tourism from Evangelical and Jewish audiences around the world. The minister also mentioned the ministry’s focus on rehabilitating the tourism industry via funding for hotels that hosted evacuees and national initiatives to encourage domestic tourism.
Eli Cohen, president of the Israel Hotel Association highlighted the resilience and resistance of the tourism industry in Israel, observing that despite all of the challenges, Israeli tourism leaders continued to innovate and succeed, as exemplified by IMTM. He called for a round of applause for Lior Galfand, Chairman of the Israel Incoming Tour Operators Association and Eyal Shmueli, CEO of Israel Travel News, co-founders of IMTM.
Following the celebratory ceremony, the conference was quickly opened to the thousands of visitors, who circulated among the colorful stalls, or took advantage of networking stations to discuss potential ideas, while several larger lectures were held on the upper floor of the Expo. A two-day tourism hackathon was held concurrently as well.
Gentian Proseku, from Tours Albania and Balkans, which organizes Balkan tours for many Israeli tour groups, told Diplomacy.co.il that attending IMTM was “a very unique and great experience”, and noted an increasing interest among individuals and tour operators from Israel to visit Albania, as a hidden gem of Europe: “Israelis have discovered my country and not just its ancient and wonderful history, but also its authenticity, and religious harmony and culinary. Ties between Israel and Albania goes deeper and longer in history. For me it is a great privilege to be in Israel, because we in Albania love Israelis. Shalom!”
Along with traditional tourism mainstays, innovation and the future of tourism were on full display at IMTM. In one example of that, the conference served as the launch event for HolyLand Travel.AI, an innovative, free online platform that builds tailor-made pilgrimage itineraries, including videos and podcasts to teach about the selected sites. US Ambassador Mike Huckabee spoke at the launch event and recalled his own first trip to Israel, in 1973, telling the audience that “Once you have come to Israel and walked the land, for the rest of your life you will read the Bible in 4K living dynamic color. This is an incredible app, one of the most practical tools I have seen for planning a tour to the Holy Land.” Founder Jack Gottlieb explained: “HolyLandTravel.ai is where the past meets the future. Whether at home or already in the land, pilgrims can bring the Bible alive by planning their journey and logistics in seconds, then kick back for days learning about each and every place with their own specially generated AI podcasts and videos.”
IMTM was organized by Ortra Ltd. and Israel Travel News in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, with sponsorship by key tourism and aviation organizations.
Photos Silvia G. Golan
More pics at Facebook: Israel Diplo / Diplomacy Israel / Silvia G.Golan & Instagram SilviaGolan
Steven Aiello
Director, Debate for Peace
Visit our website: http://debateforpeace.org/
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.Dozens of world leaders, diplomats, and heads of Jewish communities will arrive via an "airlift" for the second international conference led by Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli.
JERUSALEM – Prime ministers, ministers, and lawmakers from around the globe will land in Israel next week for the "Generation Truth" conference. The summit, scheduled for January 26-27, coincides with International Holocaust Remembrance Day and is part of a strategic government decision to lead a global, open, and unapologetic fight against antisemitism.
The conference will feature a state gala attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a day of high-level discussions with President Isaac Herzog, and a special parliamentary session at the Knesset hosted by Speaker Amir Ohana.
Summit Highlights
Monday, Jan 26 (Morning) – Knesset Session: Minister Chikli and Speaker Amir Ohana will host parliamentarians from over 15 countries, including Austria, France, Brazil, and the USA. Discussions will focus on legislation, Holocaust education, and countering foreign political interference.
Monday, Jan 26 (Evening) – State Gala: Held at the International Convention Center with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The "Government of Israel Award for Combating Antisemitism" will be presented to Leo Terrell, head of the Trump administration's antisemitism task force. A special tribute will honor the memory of the late Charlie Kirk, presented to his personal pastor, Rob McCoy.
Tuesday, Jan 27 – Main Conference: On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, President Isaac Herzog will address the summit. Sessions will provide operational tools to combat three pillars of modern antisemitism: Violent Islamist Antisemitism, Progressive Antisemitism (delegitimization of Israel), and Far-Right Antisemitism.
A Dire Global Reality
The summit convenes against a backdrop of unprecedented violence. In 2025 alone, 20 people were murdered in antisemitic terrorist attacks, including a mass casualty event during a Hanukkah celebration in Australia. Additionally, Diaspora Affairs Ministry data reveals that 78% of Jewish students on global campuses have felt the need to hide their identity.
The Ministry has responded by launching a national command center to monitor incitement, training global police forces, and promoting regulations against international organizations linked to terror groups.
Advance registration is required
More info
The Government of Israel will present its annual Award of Honor for the Fight Against Antisemitism to Senior Counsel Leo Terrell, Chair of the U.S. Department of Justice Task Force to Combat Antisemitism. In addition, a special Award of Honor in memory of the late Charlie Kirk will be presented to his personal pastor, Rob McCoy, in recognition of his principled and courageous stand for truth, Israel, and the fight against antisemitism.
Both awards will be presented at a special gala on Monday, January 26, at the Jerusalem International Convention Center (Binyanei HaUma), by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli.
The gala will inaugurate the Second International Conference on Combating Antisemitism, titled “Generation of Truth,” initiated by Minister Chikli and taking place January 26–27, 2026, in Jerusalem, ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The conference will bring together senior Israeli political leaders and dozens of international participants.
Since October 7, the Trump administration has taken a firm and consistent stance against antisemitism and in support of Israel’s right to defend itself. Senior Counsel Terrell is being honored for his determined and sustained efforts to confront the growing wave of antisemitism in the United States, particularly on university campuses. In his role as head of the Department of Justice Antisemitism Task Force, he has worked tirelessly to hold academic institutions and their leadership accountable when they have failed to adequately address antisemitism within their communities and spaces.
“Senior Counsel Terrell’s leadership and moral clarity have produced tangible, on-the-ground impact and earned him broad recognition among Jewish communities, elected officials, and public figures in the United States and around the world,” said Minister Chikli. “This award honors those who refuse to remain silent and who choose to stand with the Jewish people, with Israel, and with truth.”
Charlie Kirk was a prominent voice in the global fight against antisemitism and a steadfast supporter of Israel. Through his leadership of Turning Point USA and his public advocacy, he spoke out forcefully against antisemitic rhetoric and actions and consistently challenged efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel. The award presented to Pastor Rob McCoy honors Kirk’s enduring legacy and his unwavering commitment to standing with the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
The conference will feature plenary sessions, panel discussions, and closed-door forums aimed at developing tools and strengthening international cooperation to combat antisemitism. It will focus on three central manifestations of contemporary antisemitism:
1) Violent Islamist antisemitism;
2) Progressive antisemitism that employs human-rights language to delegitimize Israel and exclude Jews from public life; and
3) far-right antisemitism, which has intensified and gained renewed legitimacy in recent years.
Confirmed international participants include Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania; Sebastian Kurz, former Chancellor of Austria; Scott Morrison, former Prime Minister of Australia; Mariano Cúneo Libarona, Minister of Justice of Argentina; Flávio Bolsonaro, Brazilian senator and presidential candidate; and Eduardo Bolsonaro, member of Brazil’s Congress, alongside senior representatives from Europe, Latin America, and North America. Participating countries include Albania, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States
Minister Chikli added:
“Over the past year, antisemitism has crossed a red line, with Jews murdered around the world simply for being Jewish. This conference aims to build an international coalition that understands antisemitism is a murderous ideology threatening the entire free world. It is time to move from defense to offense.”
https://generationtruth.co.il/
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After a three-year break, Debate for Peace made a highly anticipated return to Yale Model United Nations (YMUN), taking part in the 52nd edition of this prestigious global conference. The Israeli delegation—comprising seven accomplished students from six schools and cities across Israel—spent an inspiring week in New York City and New Haven, CT engaging in diplomacy, cultural exploration, and rigorous MUN competition.
The experience began with three days of visits to missions to the United Nations, where students met with diplomats from the Permanent Missions of Costa Rica, Austria, and the United States. These briefings gave delegates firsthand insight into how global representatives negotiate, advocate, and collaborate on critical international issues. Additionally, the group talked with Professor Mehnaz Afridi, Director of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Interfaith Education Center at Manhattan College.
A standout feature of this year’s trip was the warm welcome from the Park Avenue Synagogue community. Delegates were hosted by local families and participated in evening panels and workshops with synagogue youth groups at Park Avenue Synagogue and nearby Central Synagogue. The delegation also engaged in interfaith dialogue with Sheikh Musa Drammeh and joined a peacebuilding simulation organized by the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace and the Women’s Federation for World Peace—highlighting an emphasis on cross-cultural understanding and cooperative problem-solving.
Beyond diplomatic and educational activities, the students explored iconic New York City landmarks—from the 9/11 Memorial and Times Square to Roosevelt Island and the Staten Island Ferry.
At the heart of the visit was the Yale MUN conference itself, where nearly 2,000 students participated in 50 simultaneous committees. The Debate for Peace delegates took on roles in diverse committee topics, such as Jumanji, Money Heist, and the Yellowstone Explosion, pushing their research, negotiation, and public speaking skills to new heights. Among their achievements, Naomi Gildor earned an award for Best Position Paper as well as Best Delegate in the Blackfyre Crisis committee—a notable recognition of her exceptional preparation and performance.
In addition to committee sessions, the team took part in a peacebuilding simulation led by Yale’s International Leadership Center and shared a Shabbat lunch at Yale’s Slifka Center for Jewish Life, enriching their understanding of both global diplomacy and cultural tradition. The group left a lasting impression on all who met them, as highlighted by quotes from several of the youth educators who engaged with the students in NYC: “hearing from your group was a great way for our students to actually understand more about the reality (of diverse teens growing up in Israel)” - Noa Shaul, Assistant Director, Congregational School at Park Avenue Synagogue; “we cannot thank you all enough for sharing your incredible teens with us. Their maturity and thoughtfulness were inspiring to us and the 8th and 9th graders alike. Keep up the incredible work--they are exactly what this world needs” - Eve Morin, Assistant Director of the LCLJ at Central Synagogue.
Debate for Peace expresses deep appreciation to the YMUN organizers for supporting their participation and to the Park Avenue synagogue community for hosting the students.
Photo credits: Hala Abusaris
Steven Aiello Director, Debate for Peace
Visit our website: http://debateforpeace.org/
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Tel Aviv University Launches International MA in Jewish Studies
A Global, Immersive Academic Experience
Tel Aviv, Israel — Tel Aviv University (TAU) invites students from around the world to apply to its International MA in Jewish Studies, a dynamic program in English offering an in-depth exploration of Jewish civilization from antiquity to the present.
Hosted within the framework of TAU’s Faculty of Humanities and in collaboration with the Lowy International School and the Koret Center for Jewish Civilization the program offers a broad, interdisciplinary curriculum encompassing Biblical studies, Jewish and Semitic languages, and Jewish history as well as Jewish culture, literature and thought.
Classes are taught in English by internationally renowned scholars and are offered on TAU’s vibrant campus, with select hybrid and Zoom-based options.
A distinctive feature of the program is its academic partnership with Goethe University Frankfurt, one of Europe’s leading centers for religious studies and Jewish history, culture, and thought. Through this collaborative partnership, students can enroll in English-language courses offered by the Jewish Studies program and the religious studies program at Goethe University, further enhancing the program’s international scope.
Current courses include:
- The Dialogical Turn in Modern Jewish Philosophy— Prof. Christian Wiese & Prof. Menachem Fisch
- The Theology of the Hebrew Bible— Prof. Dalit Rom-Shiloni
- The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Hebrew Bible: Transmission, Interpretation, and Ideology— Prof. Eshbal Ratzon
- The Jewish Magical Tradition: An Introduction— Prof. Gideon Bohak
- Early Modern Ashkenaz: Jewish Thought and Culture in the German Lands– Prof. Maoz Kahana & Prof. Rebekka Voss
- Modern Jewish Politics: Between Power and Powerlessness— Prof. Scott Ury
- Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews in Cross-Cultural Settings: Past and Present— Dr. Noah Gerber
“Through a wide range of courses on various aspects of Jewish studies, TAU’s MA program in Jewish Studies offers students the opportunity to study with leading scholars from TAU and Goethe University Frankfurt alongside a dynamic cohort of international students from Israel, Germany, and a number of other countries.”
Prof. Scott Ury, Academic Director, International MA in Jewish Studies, Dept. of Jewish History, TAU.
In addition to academic studies, students may enroll in intensive Hebrew language courses, participate in TAU’s Yiddish Summer Program, and take a wide range of additional courses on TAU’s campus offered in English and, for those with sufficient proficiency, in Hebrew.
TAU’s International MA in Jewish Studies provides students with a unique opportunity to engage directly with Israeli society, gaining critical insight into the historical, cultural, and political background of Israel as well as the crises currently facing the broader region.
As Alena R., a visiting MA Student from Goethe University notes:
“Studying in Tel Aviv is a great opportunity, because it allows for multiple ways of personal and academic growth: Experiencing living Israeli and Jewish culture, learning Hebrew, attending English seminars and getting research insights to current research by attending colloquia. The classes are diverse and interesting, and the teachers are dedicated, open, and supportive.
The program is open to students holding a BA in the Humanities, and in certain cases BA degrees in the Social Sciences or other fields. It is well-suited for those planning to pursue doctoral studies in related fields, careers in education, journalism or politics, or those who wish to work in non-profit or cultural organizations.
The MA can be completed in three to four semesters. Students can integrate some Zoom-based courses and intensive summer courses at TAU as well as several Zoom courses through Goethe University Frankfurt into their program of study. TAU also offers opportunities for student exchange with Goethe University that allow students to spend a semester at our partner university in Frankfurt.
A limited number of scholarships are available for students enrolling in the Spring Semester, March 15, 2026-June 30, 2026.
For more information about the program, admissions and the application process, please visit the Jewish Studies program website or contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Image caption: The entrance to Tel Aviv University.
Credit: Tel Aviv University.
