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- Written by Silvia Golan
Emma Shapplin Returns to Israel: A Voice Beyond Borders
In June, the renowned French soprano Emma Shapplin will return to Israel with grand concerts in Tel Aviv and Haifa, joined by the Ra’anana Symphonette Orchestra and a choir. The shows will feature music from her new album French Touch.
Emma first performed internationally in Israel, at Caesarea in 1999, where her famous song Spente Le Stelle debuted. The concert was a massive success, and she was named “Woman of the Year” in Israel. Her debut album became the best-selling non-Israeli album in the country at the time.
Since then, Emma has visited Israel five more times, always to sold-out crowds. Her 2003 performance in Caesarea was released as her first live DVD. She describes a deep spiritual connection with Israeli audiences.
Emma’s breakthrough came with her 1997 album Carmine Meo, which sold over two million copies and topped charts in 25 countries. She has since worked with music legends and contributed to the Red Planet film soundtrack.
Her shows are known for blending powerful vocals with theatrical elements. The new concerts will include classic hits and tracks from French Touch, which mixes French and English lyrics with electro-pop, lounge, and jazz influences, plus well-known French and Italian covers.
Concert Dates:
June 3, 20.00, Tel Aviv, Israeli Opera House
June 6, Haifa, Oren Hall, Congress Center
Tickets available via Bravo and Eventim:
Photos by Nimue Music
PR by Sofia Nimelstein PR & Consulting
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- Written by Silvia Golan & Steven Aiello
The 2025 IMTM International MediterraneanTourism Market Exhibition opened today, on Wednesday May 7, with senior figures from the economy and ambassadors from dozens of countries around the world joining hundreds of representatives of local and international travel agencies, municipalities, airlines, and companies offering innovative services for travel companies.
The annual IMTM International Tourism Exhibition connects incoming and outgoing tourism to Israel with countries around the world. The exhibition, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, is celebrating its 31st year. This year it featured around 100 booths, with the participation of 15 countries, and dozens of senior officials and ambassadors. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by senior officials including: Minister of Tourism Chaim Katz, Minister of the Negev, Galilee, and National Resilience, Yitzhak Wasserlauf, Chairman of the Incoming Tourism Chamber, and IMTM Exhibition organizers Lior Galfand, publisher of I.T.N, and IMTM Exhibition organizer Eyal Shmueli, along with Yossi Fattal, CEO of the Incoming Tourism Chamber, and Eli Cohen, President of the Hotels Association.
Among the delegations participating this year were Greece, Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Taiwan, Romania, Kenya, and Slovakia. Additionally, ambassadors from dozens of countries around the world attended, including: Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Norway, Panama, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Ethiopia, Azerbaijan, Croatia, and Vietnam.
At the opening ceremony, Tourism Minister Chaim Katz noted that "The holding of the IMTM fair for the 31st time is a living testament to the resilience of Israeli tourism, even in challenging times. This is an immense source of pride. 60 countries were supposed to participate in this conference, but the Houthi attack reduced the number to 30. It’s clear that the tourism industry is the first to be affected and the last to recover. We tried and succeeded in helping the incoming tourism organizers last year. We will make efforts in the coming months to organize events in Israel for Israeli tourists and guests.”
Lior Galfand, Chairman of the Incoming Tourism Chamber and organizer of the 2025 IMTM International Tourism Exhibition said that: "Every worker organizing incoming tourism brought in $1.1 million in foreign currency, and every 30 tourists create a job. The collapse of 150 companies in the Incoming Tourism Chamber to Israel and the layoff of 1,000 workers who remained in these companies, out of the 2,500 employed before the war broke out on October 7, will have consequences that no one wants to experience during their tenure. Tourism to Israel is a strategic asset of the highest order. Only when tourists return here will Israelis be welcomed abroad! We rely on you, Minister, and although I sadly have to say this for the second time from this podium – we still believe that at the next fair, we will be able to stand here proudly and report our success in returning incoming tourism to Israel!"
Eyal Shmueli, organizer of the 2025 IMTM International Tourism Exhibition: "Despite the challenges and the complex security situation, we are proud to open the 31st IMTM International Tourism Exhibition. We are holding the exhibition with determination and commitment to provide the tourism industry with the most impressive and effective platform. The entire sector is facing a challenging period, but it is precisely from this that an opportunity for a significant reboot has arisen, aimed at supporting Israeli tourism, as we see it as a major milestone that can help both small and large businesses. Alongside domestic tourism, representatives from a variety of countries around the world attended the exhibition – countries that repeatedly demonstrate their commitment to connecting with Israel and see Israeli tourists as an important, loyal, and influential audience. They invest resources and maintain an impressive presence, recognizing the economic and cultural contribution of the Israeli audience to the global tourism industry. We are happy and excited to host them here, especially in these times."
IMTM is the annual and oldest event of the tourism industry in Israel, organized by Ortra Ltd. and Israel Travel News, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and supported by the Israel Hotels Association, the Incoming Tourism Organizers Association, the Tel Aviv-Yafo Tourism Association, El Al Airlines, the Travel Channel, and the Israel Travel Agents Association.
IMTM is aimed at all those involved in various tourism sectors – domestic tourism, incoming tourism, as well as countries and tourism entities from abroad. The exhibition regularly features a wide range of Israeli exhibitors: tourism associations from across the country, airlines, hotels, car rental companies, shipping companies, service providers, and various tourism attractions. The exhibition includes professional meetings, accompanying conferences, and a program for invited agents, during which hundreds of decision-makers from around the world come to the fair to market Israel as a tourism destination.
Exhibition website: www.imtm.co.il
Photo credit: Silvia G. Golan
Image (from right to left): Eyal Shmueli, organizer of the IMTM tourism exhibition, Yitzhak Wasserlauf, Minister of the Negev, Galilee, and National Resilience, Chaim Katz, Minister of Tourism, Dina Ben-Tal Gennes, CEO of El Al, and Lior Galfand, organizer of the 2025 IMTM International Tourism Exhibition and Chairman of the Incoming Tourism Chamber.
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- Written by Silvia Golan
JAFFAMUN, the first Model UN conference in Jaffa, brought together students from over a dozen schools and cities in Israel to simulate three engaging committees: the Human Rights Council (Freedom of Speech vs Hate Speech in Social Media), ECOSOC (Promoting Equality for Marginalized Communities) and the US Senate (Addressing School Shootings). The conference, held on Monday March 28, was organized by Debate for Peace, and hosted at the Center of Scientology Israel, in the historic Alhambra Theatre building.
Throughout the day, delegates engaged in rigorous debates and negotiations. After several hours of frenetic diplomacy, each committee managed to pass a resolution for their respective topic:
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Human Rights Council (HRC): Called for establishing a global working group on social media safety, advocating for comprehensive frameworks to protect users' privacy, promoting digital literacy, and encouraging parental oversight.;
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ECOSOC: Called for the development of safety nets for vulnerable populations, the advancement of inclusive education, and the creation of National Equality Councils and Enforcement Organizations for Equality (EOEs) to combat discrimination.
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U.S. Senate: Proposed measures to enhance school safety, including updated protocols, adoption of Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) laws, expanded mental health services, pilot programs to limit weapon access, and modernized responses to active shooter incidents.
The conference concluded with a closing ceremony where several students were honored for their exceptional contributions within their respective committees:
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Human Rights Council: Maya Beres (India, Yachad High School), Alin Gavrizavee (Morocco, Atid Lod), Malak Abu Hjool (United Kingdom, Mar Elias School)
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ECOSOC: Yehonatan Navon (Sweden, Ironi Yud Dalet), Lamar Shker (Philippines, Mar Elias), Nada Namouz (China, Mar Elias)
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U.S. Senate: Vera Nosovitskaya (Corey Booker, Younited), Jordyn Cline (Chuck Schumer, Yachad High School), Yonatan Zelenko (Elizabeth Warren, Atid Raziel)
Ghasak, from Gernata High School, who played the role of a Senator in the Senate committee, shared her message with Diplomacy.co.il: “Peace cannot be kept by force , It can only be achieved by understanding.”
Another Senator, Vera, from the Younited School added that “JAFFAMUN was a unique experience. The Alhambra building architecture made it more unforgettable because of the unique design inside. It was the shortest MUN I have ever experienced, only 1 day, but it wasn’t tiring. This was one of my best MUN experiences!”
Debate for Peace extends its gratitude to Maya Ilany and Abigail Noa Buganim for their efforts in preparing the study guides for the conference. Special thanks are also due to the chairs and Secretariat team: Abigail Noa Buganim, Naomi Gildor, Shaked Shimony, Josh Kugelman, Carmel Hillmann, Yousef Abdlghny, Dafna Beres, Yael Yakobovich, and Gai Regev.
For more Model UN conferences in Israel, please see the schedule here.
Steven Aiello
Director, Debate for Peace
972-528194878
Visit our website: http://debateforpeace.org/
Read our book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/
Listen to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.
See more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
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- Written by Silvia Golan & Steven Aiello
Sunday May 4th saw Air Samarkand launch the first direct flights between Tel Aviv and Samarkand, the magical silk road city in Uzbekistan. A special ceremony was held to celebrate this momentous occasion, with travelers receiving gifts and traditional treats.
A modern Air Samarkand Airbus A330 aircraft will now connect Tel Aviv directly with the mesmerizing architecture, sights and sounds of Samarkand, a key hub in the historic Silk Road. Weekly flights will depart from Samarkand early Sunday morning, with return flights from Tel Aviv late Sunday mornings. 184 passengers were aboard the inaugural flight, with Israeli, Uzbek and international passengers traveling for both tourism and commercial interests.
The ceremony, with ribbon-cutting and a decorative cake, was attended by Mr. Sherzod Shavkatbekov, Commercial Affairs Counsellor at the Embassy of Uzbekistan to Israel; Jumaev Nodirjon, commercial director of Air Samarkand, and the company sales manager Sherzod; Nargiza Kadirova, President of the “New Uzbekistan” office for Uzbekistan-Israel Trade and Investment, and representatives of Asia Travel, Air Samarkand’s official representative in Israel.
The speakers emphasized that the new aviation link presents a great opportunity for Israelis and Uzbek people to enjoy direct flights, and is just the beginning of a growing partnership, with the potential to strengthen political, economic, and personal ties between the two countries.
The achievement is all the more impressive as many airlines have suspended flights to Israel due to the ongoing conflict. In contrast, Uzbek airlines have not stopped flying to Israel since October 7, with several recent expansions in flight routes and frequencies, symbolizing the vibrant and growing connection between the two nations.
Asia Travel (https://www.asiatravel.co.il/
Air Samarkand is run by CEO Zafar Butayev, and is part of a travel conglomerate that owns the airline, Samarkand Airport, as well as hotels, enabling a seamless vacation package. The first few months of the new Tel Aviv-Samarkand route are already sold out. Beginning July 10th there will be flights on Thursdays as well, allowing travelers to travel to one country on Sunday and be back home by the weekend. For more information and to book flights: https://airsamarkand.com/en/
Photos credit Silvia G. Golan
More Pics at Facebook Diplomacy Israel / Israel Diplo / Silvia G Golan
Steven Aiello
Director, Debate for Peace
972-528194878
Visit our website: http://debateforpeace.org/
Read our book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/
Listen to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.
See more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
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- Written by Antoanet (Tony) Levy – External Relations & Innovation, HIT Holon Institute of Technology
On 24 April 2025, the Holon Institute of Technology (HIT) had the distinct honor of hosting the National Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony titled “Remembering the Rescue of the Bulgarian Jews”, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Israel.
This solemn and historically significant event commemorated the heroic actions of the Bulgarian people, including the decisive role of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Civic Leaders, and Members of Parliament, who collectively resisted Nazi orders and prevented the deportation
of nearly 50,000 Bulgarian Jews during the Second World War. Their moral courage remains a powerful example of human solidarity in the face of oppression.
The ceremony gathered Prof. Eduard Yakubov, President of HIT, H.E. Slavena Gergova Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the State of Israel and Embassy staff, Mrs. Orly Gilboha mother of Daniela Gilboha rescued after 477 days from Hamas terrorist captivity,Dr. Rani Jaeger and Mr. Avraham Ben HaDor Ambassadors, representatives of diplomatic missions in Israel, HIT academic and management staff and students, leaders of the Bulgarian Community in Israel, Deputy Myer of Holon Municipality Mr. Michael Sutovskii and Mrs. Rachel Laniado External relations of Holon Municipality. Their presence signified an
international and internal commitment to the preservation of memory and the condemnation of antisemitism and injustice in all forms.
Prof. Eduard Yakubov, President of HIT said in his opening remarks: “Memory must inspire action. Let the light of courage guide us in today’s darkness. Let us be the generation that remembers, resists, and rebuilds—with strength, compassion, and unbreakable solidarity.”
H.E. Ambassador Slavena Gergova strongly sad that: On this very sorrowful occasion and in this very difficult for Israel and the region moment the HIT Holon Institute for Technology has decided to focus their commemoration of Youm Ha Shoa on the events in Bulgaria during the Second World War and I am grateful for that. I am sincerely convinced that the time is right to hear and remember the story of the Bulgarian Jews as an outstanding example of hope in the current challenging times.
I am convinced that the story of the rescue of about 50 000 Bulgarian Jews and the worthy deed of Bulgarian statesmen, politicians, journalists, intellectuals, and the Church is particularly important to be remembered and told as it is, especially in the current context and in the extremely difficult reality for Israel after October 7th. This is a story about personal responsibility and hope, about self-denial and choosing the public interest over the personal, about taking the right side of the history and not remaining silent.
The other part of the history related to Bulgaria and the Jews during the Second world war is the deportation of 11 343 Jews from the territories of Northern Greece and some parts of then Yugoslavia that at that time were administered by Bulgaria. This is an important element of the complex Bulgarian history related to the Jews that we never forget and will never forget. Most of those deported were unfortunately killed soon after they arrived in Treblinka. The Bulgarian case proves how complex the situation was, how many factors played a role in the developments in the different countries but also how the indifference could cost and costed peoples` lives and the bravery was rewarded by saved lives.
I would also like to underline the fact that due to hundreds and thousands Bulgarians, not only those 20 Bulgarians, recognized by Yad Vashem as Righteous among the Nations, Bulgaria, a Nazy ally from a certain point during Second World war, became an exception where a substantial change in the governmental policy towards the Jews was introduced and none of Bulgarian Jews was deported from my country. I believe the example of the students in Herzelina`s class whom you are going to meet later in the short movie of Daniel Mualem will explain to a certain extend why such a change was possible and happened in Bulgaria.
I am proud of what my ancestors did and at the background of the current war, the rise of hatred and violence around the world and also the sharp rise of anti-Semitism my understanding is that this story is very relevant. I hope that we can all remember that it is our responsibility and our moral obligation to stay vigilant and to react and oppose the injustice and the hatred. Choosing not to react and remain silent makes us complicit in a crime and I am sure no one of us wants it.
With this, I bow my head once again to the memory of all the victims of Holocaust and let us all commit not to allow that Never again turns into slogan emptied from content and react accordingly!
Special thanks were extended to the Hertzelina Jaeger Foundation, whose support enabled this event. Dr. Rani Jaeger delivered a heartfelt speech, emphasizing the enduring significance of memory, responsibility, and shared values. A moving testimony was given by Avraham Ben HaDor, a survivor from Plovdiv, who recalled the courage of the Bulgarian people and the life- saving resistance during World War II.
At a time when Jewish communities worldwide—and especially in Israel, with 59 hostages still held in Gaza—face ongoing trials, the participation of our diplomatic guests was a sincere gesture of friendship, support, and shared humanity.
We extend our deepest appreciation to Her Excellency Ambassador Slavena Gergova, the Embassy of Bulgaria, and all those who contributed to this commemoration. We look forward to deepening our cooperation and to welcoming our Bulgarian friends again.
Together, we honor the past and continue to build a future founded on mutual respect, peace, and moral courage.
Antoanet (Tony) Levy
External Relations & Innovation, PO
HIT Holon Institute of Technology
Photo credit Ilanit Kitzoni
