Art & Culture

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Written by Silvia G. Golan

Published: 06 July 2023

"Seeing the voice - female photographers say No to domestic violence" - a special photo exhibition combining photos with well-known songs, by 15 female photographers, initiated by attorney Dana Daraznin - marked "No to domestic violence" was launched at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on Tuesday 4/7/23 this week inaugurated the exhibition "Seeing the Voice" at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying a message to the employees of the Ministry that he is against gender violence, domestic violence and against violence in general: "This is one of the most painful and important issues. We at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are committed to the matter as part of the perception that says there is no place in our society for any violence of any kind, and we must do everything to denounce it. I congratulate Hamotal Rogel Fox, who is responsible for gender equality in the ministry, for promoting this important exhibition that will be placed in the center of the ministry in the near future and will reflect this clear message".

The initiator and curator of the exhibition - attorney Dana Daraznin: "The exhibition includes 15 female volunteer photographers who joined together and went through professional lectures to understand the issue and convey a clear message against domestic violence. The exhibition is dedicated to Miriam Shalom (deceased), the mother of the photographer Rachel Levy, who was murdered by her husband. The purpose of the exhibition is to give expression to the types of violence that are not visible to an unprofessional eye and are difficult to identify, to prevent the terrible phenomenon. The photographs together with the lyrics of familiar songs, which we have never thought of them at that context, make it possible to absorb and understand deeply what this sophisticated violence is and penetrate the mechanism of repression and denial." Attorney Dana Daraznin has many years of experience in family law and is an expert at resolving disputes and conflict amicably. she believes that early identification of the phenomenon will greatly help to prevent it.

Ilanit Kizoni - a photographer and the exhibition producer clarified that in the nearest future the exhibition is expected to travel to other places in Israel and to be distributed in the missions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs around the world.

List of names and roles of all photographers in the exhibition: 

DANA DARAZNIN Initiator, curator and photographer

 ILANIT KITZONI Producer and photographer

 LIRON SHEINKMAN Artistic director and photographer

 DALIT PINES SASSON Graphic artist and photographer

 Photographers : RACHEL LEVI ; ILANA SLAVIN ; ORIT LANDAU  ; MONA YEHIAV ; HAGIT KIKIN EVEN HEN ; MICHAL NIR MA AHAVTI  ; ADITAL SHARIR ; TSOFIA SHLASKY ; SMADAR REINHOLD ; 

ELIZ AZUELOS ; VARDA SHVARTZ 

 Ambassador Dan Oryan was the coordinator of the exhibition for the foreign ministry. Oryan was a partner to making the exhibition fit for the ministry towards sending it to be presented abroad in cooperation with the embassies. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host the exhibition in the coming month, the work of the photographers - who look through the lens and tell sensitively and intelligently about violence in a place that is supposed to be loving, protected and safe.

For contact: on Facebook "Seeing the Voice"

- https://www.facebook.com/tzalamot?mibextid=LQQJ4d

 The Staff of www.diplomacy.co.il congratulates the participants of this important iniciative

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Written by Silvia G. Golan

Published: 12 June 2023

Azerbaijan's Tourism Potential Unleashed to Israel’s Travel Industry

 Yesterday, June 11th 2023, Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB) and Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) co-hosted Experience Azerbaijan networking event in Tel-Aviv, Israel.

This event was aimed to enhance awareness of Azerbaijan's diverse tourism offerings among key players of the Israeli travel trade industry, including prominent tour operators, travel agents, online travel agencies (OTAs), as well as esteemed members of the media.

The evening served as a platform to foster strategic collaborations and strengthen ties between Azerbaijan and Israel within tourism sector.

Attendees had the chance to engage with key tourism representatives from Azerbaijan, including the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan, ATB, Azerbaijan Airlines, as well as members of Azerbaijan Hotels Association (AHA) and Association of Travel Agencies of Azerbaijan (ATAA).

The evening also featured a mesmerizing photo exhibition titled "Azerbaijan through the lenses of Israeli photographers". Curated by renowned exhibition organizer Victor Zislin, the exhibition showcased captivating images capturing the beauty and allure of Azerbaijan from the unique perspective of Israeli photographers.

The event commenced with a series of speeches delivered by distinguished industry representatives, including the esteemed Ambassador of the Azerbaijan Republic in the State of Israel, Mr. Mukhtar Mammadov, the Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan, Mr. Fuad Naghiyev, Deputy CEO of ATB Mr. Bahruz Asgarov and Director of Sales & Partnerships of AZAL, Mr. Chingiz Mursalov.

“Our networking event not only serves as a platform for fostering stronger business relations, but also symbolizes the ever-deepening friendship between our two nations. Our unwavering commitment lies in further enhancing our partnership within the tourism sector and venturing into new possibilities of cooperation. Through the cultivation of closer ties, our objective is to increase tourism and cultural exchanges, thereby facilitating enhanced tourism collaboration between our countries, and mutually promoting the tourism potentials of Azerbaijan and Israel," stated Fuad Naghiyev, Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The evening continued with a captivating presentation, showcasing Azerbaijan's rich and diverse tourism offerings. With its wealth of attractions and warm hospitality, Azerbaijan is emerging as a preferred destination for Israeli travellers seeking an enriching and unforgettable experience. In 2019, Azerbaijan warmly welcomed 47,003 visitors from Israel, and the positive trend continues with an impressive 8,611 arrivals recorded from January to May 2023, nearly reaching the numbers of the same period in 2019. These figures reflect the growing interest and appeal of Azerbaijan among Israeli travellers. Efforts by the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and ATB have focused on developing the tourism potential of historical Jewish heritage, including Jewish walking tours in Baku and the Red Settlement in the northern part of the country. As the summer season unfolds, Azerbaijan presents a wide range of attractions and activities that cater to various travel preferences. There is a big numbers of offerings at the renowned wellness resorts in Naftalan, Galalti, and Lankaran with unique rejuvenating experiences. Furthermore, Azerbaijan's diverse landscapes and outdoor activities provide ample opportunities for adventure seekers. The country's scenic mountains and ski resorts appeal to those seeking adventure and nature-getaways, while its excellent MICE facilities make it an ideal destination for business events and conferences.

In recent years, Azerbaijan has emerged as a highly sought-after travel destination for Israeli travellers, in part due to the increased number of convenient direct flights, easy visa procedures upon arrival, and reputation as a dynamic cultural and business hub. Presentation by AZAL provided further insights into the exceptional travel experience, highlighting the convenience of reaching Baku in under 4 hours, providing travellers with seamless connectivity. It is worth noting that Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) operates direct flights between Baku and Tel Aviv every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, offering convenient travel options for visitors between the two destinations.

This collaboration between Azerbaijan Tourism Board and Azerbaijan Airlines underscores the commitment to fostering strategic partnerships and promoting Azerbaijan's tourism potential on a global scale. The Experience Azerbaijan networking event marked another milestone in strengthening the relationship between Azerbaijan and Israel, facilitating new opportunities for collaboration and tourism growth.

For more information about Azerbaijan's tourism offerings, please visit www.azerbaijan.travel and book your flight at www.azal.az.

About the Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB)

The Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB) is the national promotion body established under the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Its main objectives are to support the growth of Azerbaijan’s tourism industry and encourage visitors to explore the country’s rich cultural offerings and experience its ancient heritage.

For more information, visit https://azerbaijan.travel/ and follow us on social media at: https://www.instagram.com/experienceazerbaijan/, 

https://www.facebook.com/ExperienceAZE/,  https://twitter.com/ExperienceAZE

 Photo credits:  Silvia Graciela Golan 

More Pics at Facebook  Diplomacy Israel / Israel Diplo / Silvia G. Golan

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Written by Silvia G. Golan

Published: 19 June 2023

On Wednesday, June 7th, the Kassim Ghanim junior high school hosted its first Model UN conference. Students from the Cyber, Leadership and Values program at Brenner Junior high school in Petah Tiqva came to Maghar, where they received a warm welcome from the principal and made many new friends. 

It was the first MUN for all of the delegates, and their performance throughout the day was outstanding. The committee discussed the challenges of social media, from issues of privacy and fake news to cyberbullying and freedom of speech. The mood got particularly dramatic when the three main blocs split the vote, forcing a series of votes on the resolutions along with feverish last minute negotiations. 

Throughout the day the students learned a lot about diplomacy, practiced speaking English and meeting peers from other communities, and had a great time! 

Diplomacy teacher Summar Farraj told Diplomacy.co.il that “participating in Model United Nations can have a significant impact on students from Maghar City as well. MUN can help these students improve their language skills, as it requires them to communicate frequently and confidently in English. Similarly, it can broaden students' horizons, exposing them to international issues and cultural diversity that they may not be familiar with in their local community. 

Additionally, MUN can provide an opportunity for those students to develop their leadership skills and gain experience in diplomacy and conflict resolution, which can be valuable in any career path they choose to follow later in life. Moreover, being part of a multicultural environment can allow students to connect with peers from diverse backgrounds and share unique perspectives on global issues, creating a sense of unity that promotes peace and harmony. Overall, participating in MUN can be incredibly beneficial to the students from Maghar and from anywhere else, opening up new opportunities, broadening their horizons, and helping them become more confident and knowledgeable global citizens.”

Sigalit Levi, the Principal of Brenner Junior High School, noted that although the Brenner students had just learned about MUN two prior to the conference, their hard work preparing was reflected in an impressive performance at the conference, including several awards. She said that “we are very proud of our students, who represented our school so well.” Levi thanked Mrs. Rachel Amrani, Director of the “Chen” Young Ambassadors School, for believing in the students, and choosing Brenner Junior High to represent the city of Petah Tiqva.

Mrs. Amrani explained that the Chen School for Young Ambassadors constitutes a core pillar of the Petah Tikva Municipality's diverse activities for outstanding students, and is designed to cultivate key skills in the next generation of Israeli diplomats. In order to instill values of good citizenship and excellence in education in the future leaders, they are given the opportunity to take part in courses, simulation, tours and delegations abroad, as well as to meet different groups within Israeli society, including decision makers at the political, social and economic level. 

Mrs. Amrani noted that “Given the challenges of the State of Israel in the local and international arena, the value of this program is self-evident. The school aims to provide knowledge in the fields of politics, diplomacy, advocacy, Judaism, public speaking and communication, for personal and professional skills, and the opportunity to experience advocacy activities through meetings with youth from abroad, professional and renowned lecturers, politicians and media persons. These meetings give our students a strong sense of public mission, which sees representing Israel as an important national mission.”

Photo credit: Steven Aiello

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Written by Silvia G. Golan & Steven Aiello

Published: 07 June 2023

Bishops, Rabbis, Sheikhs, and religious leaders from numerous religions met at the David Citadel hotel in Jerusalem on Tuesday morning for the Roundtable on Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation. The conference, supported by the International Cultural Centre of Natives from Central Asia, continued the path set at the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, established in 2003 in Astana, Kazakhstan and held every three years.

The first panel, titled “Interfaith Dialogue: Promoting Understanding and Cooperation”, was opened by Mr. Mordechai Kimyagarov, Chairman of the International Cultural Centre of Natives from Central Asia, and Mr. Bulat Sarsenbayev, Commissioner for the Promotion of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Mr. Sarsenbayev mentioned the importance of understanding one another, and described the growth of the Congress, reaching over 100 delegations from 50 countries at the most recent conference held in September 2022 in Astana. Mr. Kimyagarov added that there was a moral obligation to take action to promote understanding for the sake of future generations.

 

 

His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, noted that true peace requires a foundation of mutual respect and understanding. Dr. Iyad Zahalka, General Director of the Sharia Courts in Israel and a judge (qadi) on the Sharia High Court of Appeals, quoted from the Quran, reading the verse that says that God deliberately created human diversity “so that we could come to know one another”, in a holy call for tolerance. Rabbi Yitzchak Elefant, Chief Rabbi of Dimona and representative of the Ashkenazi chief rabbi, read a verse from the Torah “The ways of the Torah are pleasant, and all of its branches are peace”.

Bishop Dr. Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, the Latin Patriarchal Vicar in Jerusalem and representative of the Roman Catholic Church, highlighted the importance of education in promoting tolerance and understanding, while Dr. David Rustein, Secretary General of the Baha’i International Community, stated that although religion is the source of truth, misappropriation of religious symbols has caused great harm and must be addressed by religious leadership.

Rabbi Eliezer Simcha Weisz, a member of the Chief Rabbinical Council of Israel, changed the tone of the meeting by opening with a song, “We brought upon you”, which the audience quickly joined in singing. Rabbi Weisz then noted that we must “lead by example”, and that the Talmud begins and ends with a call for peace, considered the greatest blessing. Sheikh Muwafak Tarif, spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, commended the hosts and organizers, pointing out that few have the courage to host such an important discussion as the Congress held in Kazakhstan does. Sheikh Tarif stressed that Druze schools in Israel include tolerance as part of the curriculum.

Mrs. Tania Berg-Refaeli, Director of the Department of World Religions at the Israeli Foreign Ministry discussed the important role of faith-based diplomacy, and its potential for helping to tackle some of the most challenging global issues.

A second panel featured Bishop Dr. Munib Younan from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land; Rabbi Dr. Yaakov Nagen, head of Ohr Torah Stone’s Blickle Institute for Interfaith Dialogue; Father Igumen Nikon Golovko, representative of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem; Hana Bendcowsky, Program Director of the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian relations at the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue; Professor Mohammad Dajani, founder of the Wasatia organization; Dr. Alon Goshen Gotstein, Director of the Elijah Interfaith Institute; Professor Zeev Khanin, professor of political science at Bar Ilan university and Academic Chairman of the Institute for Euro-Asian Jewish Studies, and Dr. Yehuda Stolov, Director of the Interfaith Encounter Association.

The conference brought a diverse group of religious leaders, and the coffee break between the panels, as well as a formal lunch following the panels, allowed for further networking.

 

Diplomacy.co.il congratulates the organizers and participants of the Roundtable on on Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation on this important event.

 

 Steven Aiello