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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
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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
Founder--DebateforPeace
Photo credits: Silvia Graciela Golan
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On Monday evening, May 22, Jerusalem’s First Station was transplanted to Central Asia, as the Embassy of Georgia in Israel, together with the city of Batumi and Tibilisi , hosted a cultural festival highlighting the rich diversity of Georgian cuisine, music and dance.
Guests from all over Jerusalem enjoyed traditional Georgian foods, along with fresh fruit and the famed Georgian wine. Various stands spread around First Station allowed Israelis to learn how to prepare, and to taste dishes like Khachapuri, Churchkhela and other beloved Georgian specialties. There were also pamphlets with information and tips for tourism in Georgia
On the main stage, dancers of all ages, including childrenfrom Ensemble Fesvebi / ანსამბლი ფესვები , performed a variety of lively Georgian folk dances, and sang traditional songs. Located at the center of the First Station and in the heart of Jerusalem, the area was packed with Israelis eager to witness the performances. H.E. Mr. Lasha Zhvania, the Ambassador of Georgia in Israel, was in attendance as well, along with Kobi Shabtai, the head of the Israeli police force, and representatives of the tourism department of Batumi. Batumi is Georgia’s second largest city, and its tourism hub, with its position on the Black Sea making it a tourist attraction for people from all over the world.
Georgian-Israeli relations are strong, with over 100,000 Georgian Jews living in Israel, and over 10,000 Jews in Georgia. Tbilisi, the capital, has kosher restaurants and multiple synagogues, and there are synagogues in several over cities in Georgia, including Batumi. Many students from Israel study in Georgia as well. Notably, the Georgian Jewish community has never faced any kind of anti-Semitism.
While Batumi and Tbilisi get the most attention, many other Georgian cities are attractive spots to visit as well, with skiing during winter season and beautiful nature hiking in the summer. There are direct flights between Tel Aviv and both Batumi and Tbilisi.
The following evening, on Tuesday, May 23, the embassy hosted a concert of Georgian music, as the culmination of the festival and in commemoration of Georgian Independence Day.
For more information on visiting Batumi, see the tourism ministry site: https://gobatumi.com/en
Diplomacy.co.il congratulates the Embassy of Georgia, and the Batumi Ministry of Tourism, on this wonderful initiative to promote Israelis visiting Georgia.
Photos Silvia Golan
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The Gallery by IDI: For the first time in Israel: The Israel Diamond Institute is opening a gallery that sells diamond jewelry direct to consumers
The gallery, part of the Israeli diamond industry, will be an innovative and prestigious complex where diamond jewelers from the Israeli Diamond Exchange will present their collections
The Israeli Diamond Institute, a mixed government company that works to promote the trade and export of diamonds from Israel, is launching for the first time in Israel, a unique gallery for the marketing and sale of diamond jewelry directly to the consumer. The gallery that will be launched under the name "The Gallery by IDI" is part of the Israeli diamond industry, and will be an innovative and prestigious complex where diamond companies and jewelry from the Israeli Diamond Exchange will sell their jewelry.
The gallery, located in the Ramat Gan Diamond ETF, will be the official visitor center of the Israeli diamond industry, that spreads over an area of about 500 square meters, and will contain 15 sales positions of different sizes, with a luxurious design that will be rented to different companies specializing in different and special diamond jewelry. The cost of its construction is valued at millions of Shekels. In addition, there will be about 10 display windows at the entrance where jewelry and special art objects will be displayed such as replicas, rare and extremely expensive diamonds, jewelry with special designs and more. It will also be possible to watch the work of a jeweler who will be there. In addition, for those who wish to buy diamonds in private, there is a private room in the complex.
Beyond the luxury shopping experience, there is a visitor center in the gallery, that includes a video about the history of the industry and a current overview of it (from the mine to the jewel). Also, throughout the gallery there are interactive learning stations that will allow visitors to receive guidance on purchasing diamonds, and in addition, a device that will allow to check whether the diamonds are real or synthetic. There will also be a digital catalog stand of the gallery's products.
The merchants who will show in the gallery are all diamond companies that have established operations of selling jewelry to the end customer, among them you can find: IDC (Israel Diamond Center), a company managed by the Tavisel family, will offer a variety of jewelry; Maymond, a brand founded by architectural gemologist and designer May Aharon and offers a personalized design in the jewelry creation process; Protea Collection, which specializes in the design, manufacture and sale of gold and platinum jewelry set with diamonds; Be Diamonds, the owner behind this brand is Blankitny, manufacture diamonds and jewelry, and offer to make jewelry to order; Ben & Guy, a family company,
2 generations of diamond workers, specializes in selling quality diamonds with special polishing, Moti Ganz, who founded the company over 55 years ago, and grew from a diamond manufacturer to a One Stop Shop that offers a variety of customized jewelry, and more.
"We are happy to launch the gallery and make the diamond market accessible to the general public," says Aviel Elia, CEO of the Israel Diamond Institute. "The Diamond Institute has been working for over 50 years to promote the Israeli diamond industry, mainly by supporting the production and export of Israeli diamonds in the world in the B2B market. This project is a new and exciting step in which, for the first time, the Israeli Diamond Institute promotes trade of diamond companies to end customers in Israel. The companies that are part of the gallery are among the best in Israel and in the world and we hope that this is the beginning of a successful and unique project. I am happy that we will finally be able to make Israeli diamond companies accessible to the Israeli public who will be able to purchase directly from the stock exchange traders."
Furthermore, and to complete the unique atmosphere, visitors will be able to enjoy a cafe that will offer drinks and pastries with several seating arrangements.
About the Israeli Diamond Institute
The Diamond Institute is an all-industry body with government involvement, working to strengthen and promote the Israeli diamond industry, and positioning it as one of the leading diamond centers in the world. The institute operates as a non-profit organization, with government support, which brings together the organizations and institutions of the local industry, and promotes the trade and export of diamonds from Israel in a variety of ways: marketing, business promotion, public relations, professional training, online trading, regulation, security, professional consulting, and more. The Diamond Institute leads and manages a series of initiatives to strengthen the industry, including a website in Hebrew and English, cooperation with some of the world's leading trading sites, hosting an Israeli pavilion at the industry's most important exhibitions, a magnificent complex for selling jewelry to the final consumer, and more. The chairman of the institute is Arnon Yuval, and the director general of the institute is Aviel Eliya.
The Gallery by IDI : address : Shalom Zisman 3, Ramat Gan, Israel
Telephone 03-775-4600
Photos by Silvia Graciela Golan
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Yeshiva University awarded Yesterday its highest honor for global leadership, the Presidential Medallion, to Brigadier General (Ret.) Dr. Daniel Gold, Iron Dome Inventor
Yeshiva University’s 92nd Annual Commencement Ceremony Honored Yesterday Iron Dome Inventor Dr. Daniel Gold, Holocaust Survivor Emil Fish and YU Class of 2023, the Leaders of Tomorrow
Celebrating its graduates, the leaders of tomorrow, Yeshiva University awarded Yesterday in New York its highest honor for global leadership, the Presidential Medallion, to Brigadier General (Ret.) Dr. Daniel Gold,
Head of Israel’s Defense Research and Development Directorate (DDR&D- MAFAT) at the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) and Israel Defense Forces (IDF); and bestowed an Honorary Doctorate to
Holocaust survivor, philanthropist, and visionary Emil Fish. The ceremony took at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.
“As Israel celebrates its 75th birthday, it is particularly fitting for us to host one of the heroes who stands as a role model for our students for his deep dedication to the Jewish state and impactful leadership in safeguarding its vitality and security,”
said Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University.
“I am proud to be here today with the next generation of bright minds,” said Dr. Gold. “As Head of the Israel Ministry of Defense Research and Development Directorate (DDR&D-MAFAT),
it is my privilege to witness what brilliant young people are capable of. Their creativity, innovation and drive result in cutting-edge technology developed thanks to their talent, but more importantly
according to their values. The students here are receiving the tools and education they need to lead, and I look forward to their future accomplishments.
It is an honor to be awarded the Presidential Medallion for global leadership from Yeshiva University, an excellent academic institution educating our future leaders."
Emil Fish survived the horrors of Bergen-Belsen and upon becoming a successful businessman in Los Angeles, dedicated himself to remembering the victims of the Holocaust.
He founded YU’s Emil A. and Jenny Fish Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, which educates today’s teachers to effectively transmit the history and lessons of the Holocaust from a Jewish perspective — a vital need to
combat the alarming rise of antisemitism and Holocaust distorters and deniers.
“Over my lifetime, I have seen not just a declining interest in the Holocaust, but a growing misrepresentation of what happened,” said Mr. Fish.
“When I approached Rabbi Berman with the idea of a Holocaust education center, he immediately mobilized Yeshiva University’s resources.
YU has always stood up for what’s right for the Jewish people, and it continues to defend and uphold our values. I am deeply honored to receive an honorary doctorate from this extraordinary institution
and celebrate the manifold successes of my family at our beloved university.”
During the commencement ceremony, more than 1,700 degrees were awarded to students across four undergraduate and eleven graduate schools and programs.
In photo: L-R Sen. Joe Lieberman, Mr. Ira Mitzner, Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, Dr. Daniel Gold, and Mr. Emil A. Fish.
Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University and Mr. Ira Mitzner, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at YU, joined Senator Joseph Lieberman in congratulating this year's
graduation honorees: Brigadier General (Ret.) Dr. Daniel Gold, head of Israel's Defense Research and Development Directorate at the Ministry of Defense and IDF; and Mr. Emil A. Fish,
Holocaust survivor, philanthropist, and visionary at YU's 92nd Commencement Ceremony Tuesday, May 23, at Madison Square Garden"
Visit the YU web site at www.yu.edu.
Photo credit: Yeshiva University. N.Y. / David Khabinsky
