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- Written by Steven Aiello / Hala Abusaris
On Thursday, May 29th, H.E. Mrs. Vesela Mrden Korac, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the State of Israel, and Mr. Yossi Landesman, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Croatia, hosted a reception at the Ambassador’s residence in honor of Croatia’s National Day. The event brought together ambassadors, military personnel, and members of the Israeli government.
Upon arrival, guests were offered a selection of fine wines, mineral water, sodas, and appetizers. The official ceremony followed, beginning with the playing of Lijepa Naša Domovino, the Croatian national anthem, followed by Hatikvah, the Israeli national anthem.
H.E. Mrs. Vesela Mrden Korac opened her speech by warmly welcoming everyone in attendance. She then expressed her gratitude in fluent Hebrew, extending special thanks to Mr. Yossi Landesman, the First Consul of the Republic of Croatia in Israel. Ambassador Korac began by highlighting Croatia's remarkable post-war development. After three and a half decades, Croatia is now a proud member of the EU, NATO, the Eurozone, and the Schengen Area, and is currently in the final stages of joining the OECD. She emphasized Croatia's strong political and technical support for Israel, expressing deep appreciation for the enduring partnership between the two nations. In 1997 Croatia established their diplomatic relations with Israel, but the Jewish-Croatian history goes back for centuries, with the earliest evidence of Jewish presence during the Roman Empire, and the oldest still in use synagogue in Europe paying tribute to the deep roots of Jewish heritage within Croatia’s national story.
As a member of the IRA, Croatia is committed to holocaust education, combating anti-semitism, preserving Jewish life as an act of justice and truth that shapes the democratic values Croatians uphold today and as a moral duty. Ambassador Korac also emphasized the embassy’s close cooperation with Yad Vashem as they contribute to strengthening their education and legal framework for combating anti semitism. The ambassador noted that there has been no noticeable rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Croatia. Since October 7th, Croatia has been recognized as one of the safest countries in the world.
Looking at other areas of bilateral relations, there has been steady growth in cooperation across defense and cyber security, tourism, trade, the startup ecosystem, innovation, and academic and cultural exchanges. In recognition of the presence of Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar, the Ambassador noted that their new biannual cooperation program is ready to be renewed. She also highlighted that, following the establishment of a bilateral strategy between the foreign ministries at the end of 2020, regular dialogue has been fostered, including exchanges and visits by foreign ministers. This has led to the opening of new areas of cooperation, all grounded in mutual respect and a shared commitment to deepening the friendship between their nations. On the 7th of October, Croatia strongly condemned the Hamas attack expressing its solidarity to the state of Israel and its people, supporting Israel's right to live in peace and security and strongly advocating un conditional release of Israeli hostages.
Croatia, who also experienced its own war with 1792 missing persons still 30 years after the war, deeply sympathizes with each hostage, their families and friends also with all innocent victims of this war; wishing that dialogue and diplomatic solutions will replace current agonies of war enabling sustainable peace, security and stability for Israel. The ambassador concluded her speech by thanking her very small but effective embassy team that have been working under very high pressure on daily paises maintaining positive approach and great spirit, and everyone who came to honor Croatia and for continuously supporting the work of the embassy. Following the speech, a toast was raised for the friendship between Croatia and Israel.
Mr. Miki Zohar, the Minister of Culture and Sport, expressed his deep appreciation for the growing relationship between Israel and Croatia, emphasizing the importance of this friendship. He highlighted how Croatia’s immediate support for Israel on October 7th was a testament to their strong bond. “We are not fighting to save our lives; we are fighting against the most dangerous terror organizations in the world,” he stated, referring to Hezbollah as the largest threat, followed by Hamas and Iran. He warned that if Israel loses this war, Europe could be next. Minister Zohar stressed that people must understand that Israel is fighting the “fight of the free world,” as the country seeks peace and cooperation with nations around the globe. “First and foremost, we must defend ourselves,” he added, emphasizing that Israel’s relationship with Croatia is vital for the preservation of freedom worldwide. He expressed hope that the knowledge and expertise of both countries would combine to make a positive impact on various sectors, including agriculture, sports, culture, and security. As Minister of Culture and Sport, Zohar underscored the importance of combating anti-Semitism globally, thanking Croatia for its unwavering commitment to supporting Israel in this effort. “The events of October 7th remind us of the challenges faced by the Jewish people, but also of our strength and resilience in standing against our enemies,” he continued. “We cannot forget the 58 hostages currently held in Gaza. We want them home.”
General Itzik Oz, Southern District Commander of the Fire and Rescue Department for Israel Authority , began by sharing that on October 7th, his department tragically lost 10 members. Addressing the Ambassador of Croatia and the Consul, he opened his speech by expressing his pleasure at being part of this ceremony. He noted that he is usually called to speak during times of crisis, but today was different—it was a celebration of Croatia, and he was honored to be part of it. He highlighted that both Israel and Croatia celebrate their independence in May, underscoring the importance of protecting both our people and our future.
Recalling a recent event, he mentioned how, just two weeks ago, a wildfire near Jerusalem saw Croatia standing side by side with Israel, helping to save lives and preserve nature. This act of support, he stated, was a powerful symbol of friendship, one that Israelis would not forget. He urged that cooperation between the two nations should extend beyond emergencies, suggesting that Israel and Croatia could share technological innovations, exchange ideas, and train together. Mr. Oz concluded his speech by thanking Croatia not only for its assistance but also for its strong and enduring friendship. "Let’s continue building a solid connection between our countries, from the heart and for our future," he said.
A guest from a kibbutz in northern Israel expressed sincere gratitude to Ambassador Mrs. Vesela Mrden Korac, acknowledging the invaluable support extended by the Croatian Union and Embassy. He also conveyed his deep appreciation to Croatia for its generous offer to host sporting events for Israelis. As a token of respect and gratitude, he presented the Ambassador with a friendship shield. He concluded with the powerful words: "Tough times create tough people."
Diplomacy.co.il congratulates the embassy and the people of Croatia on their national day and offers best wishes for a prosperous relationship going forward.
Steven Aiello Director, Debate for Peace
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- Written by Silvia Golan
On the occasion of the 215th Anniversary of the May Revolution, the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic and embassy staff held a reception on the King David Hotel in Jerusalem
On Sunday, May 25th, the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic, H.E. Rabbi Axel Wahnish, brought together ambassadors and military personnel, as well as prominent members of the Argentine community, at an event commemorating the national holiday of May 25th.
Guests received traditional rosettes Escarapelas upon arrival.
The master of ceremonies was journalist Nicole M. Morely.
The evening opened with the Argentine and Israeli national anthems, followed by a performance by bandoneonist Eduardo Abramson with musicians Fernando Knopf
and Hanan Feinshtein, who performed songs by renowned musician Astor Piazzolla.
The event featured participation from Minister of Diaspora Amichai Chikli and Argentine Yair Horn, rescued from the clutches of Hamas (his brother remains kidnapped). He spoke about the hardships he endured in Gaza and issued a heartfelt plea for the rescue of the 58 still kidnapped.
Ambassador Wahnish thanked the sponsors who made the evening possible without any cost to Argentina. He also thanked the embassy staff, who worked hard, and expressed the hesitation in celebrating freedom when there are still people kidnapped. He clarified, using words from Moreno and Saavedra, that what we are celebrating is not a National Day, but the awakening of the Argentine people to democracy and freedom. He repeated President Milei's words: "I demand the unconditional and immediate release of all those kidnapped."
Among those in attendance were Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, MPs Erez Malul and Moshe Passal, Yaakov Hagoel, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the World Zionist Organization, Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan, Ambassador Eynat Shlein, Director of MASHAV, the Israel Agency for International Development Cooperation, Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Dina Ben Tal Gnansia, CEO of El Al, Shlomi Zafrani, Vice President of Sales at El Al, a notable delegation of 20 evangelical pastors from Argentina visiting Israel, and Clara Marman and Luis Har, Argentinean former hostages.
A video was shown with images of Argentina, which is now emerging from its economic stagnation thanks to President Javier Millei and his team.
The staff of www.diariojudio.com and www.diplomacy.co.il send their congratulations to the government, people, and Embassy of the Argentine Republic on the occasion of the 215th anniversary of the May Revolution, and prayers for the prompt release of all hostages.
Photos Silvia G. Golan
More pics at Facebook: Israel Diplo / Diplomacy Israel / Silvia G.Golan
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- Written by Silvia Golan
.Today, October 6, 2024 , a Quarter of a Billion Friends of Zion Welcome the incoming U.S. Ambassador to Israel, H.E. Mr. Mike Huckabee
The largest welcoming event in Israel's history, was broadcast tonight globally from the media center of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem
The official welcome ceremony for the incoming U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, was held last night (Tuesday) at the Media Center of the Friends of Zion (FOZ) Museum in Jerusalem. The event was initiated and hosted by Dr. Mike Evans, founder of the friends of Zion museum, a close advisor to President Donald Trump, and one of the most influential figures in the global Evangelical community.
The event was attended by hundreds of guests from Israel and abroad, Ambassadors, ministers, members of parliament, associates of President Trump and very significant legislators in Washington DC such as the speaker of the house Mike Johnson senator Ted Cruz and many more. The event was broadcast to hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. Key speakers included Dr. Evans, Ambassador Huckabee, Omer Shem Tov – who was held hostage in Gaza for 505 days, and and Ilan and Meirav Gilboa Dalal, the parents of Guy Gilboa Dalal, who was kidnapped from the Nova festival and is still being held captive by Hamas.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee said at the event: I came here and thought I was in Disney world. I’ve never seen something like this, telling the story of the foz.
No honour better than being called a friend of the Jewish people.
Without the Jewish people I don’t have a faith. The belief, that in the beginning god created the heaven and the earth. And god decided to bring his light and law into the world through the Jewish people. I respect what god chooses to do so and I honour that.
I tell my Jewish friends- I owe you. Without you, my faith doesn’t exist.
A hatred toward antisemitism is a hatred towards god.
Omer, I was taken away by your smile. After all the things you’ve been through, you are able to smile. God is in you. You are stronger than The hate that was surrounded you for 505 days.
We pray for every hostage. I pray for Guy to come back home.Yesterday my wife took her cane and hiked up the snake path in Masada. I’m proud of the hike. Her motivation was that she took pictures and biographies of the hostages with her and prayed for them. The reason she managed to get to the top is because she prayed for each one.
Normally we come to Israel for several weeks and go home. This time we are home."
Dr. Mike Evans, the founder of Friends of Zion and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 113 books, as well as a Nobel Peace Prize nominee said:" Mike Huckabee, we as Evangelicals are so extremely happy that one of ours, an Evangelical, is now the Ambassador of Israel... And it's a first. The astonishing thing about it is it's an Evangelical with a Biblical worldview being an Ambassador in the Bible land. How novel.
Omer Shem Tov, who was kidnapped on October 7 and released after 505 days in captivity, shared: "I was 505 days at Gaza in captivity. when I was there my belief in god came so strong, everyday I woke up and thanked god that I have air In my lungs, little food on my plate and that my family is safe in israel. I did kiddush every Friday night. My faith and believe in god kept me going".
"Thank you ambassador Huckabee and thank you president Trump. I am here today, standing near Mike Evans because of you. And today, I am the tha happiest man alive". "we have to bring My brothers and sisters home as soon as possible. I believe and I know you can bring them home. So please do everything you can".
Shelly Shem tov, Omer's mother said: "for us it’s a miracle. Omer was born again in Feb 22. Every time I’m trying to tell people how we felt when Omer was in captivity i say there is one thing that parents cannot forget- when their child got lost. There are five minutes that you panic and you don’t know what to do with yourself. For the parents of the hostages , it is more than 1 million minutes, that their children are in hell. hell!!! . And you, ambassador Huckabee and president Trump - you have the power to give to all of the families of the hostages, let them feel what we feel. So please do everything you can to bring them back home"
Ilan Dalal:" Guy has been held in Gaza now for 578 days. Im looking at omer, and I’m praying everyday that my son too will come back home. Guy went with his best friends from kindergarten to a music festival. Non of them came back home. Guy is held hostage in Gaza with his best friend evyatar. Every moment could be their last. Time is running out for them. We must bring them home as soon as possible. Ambassador Huckabee - I wish you a great success in your new role.
As a representative of the strongest country of the world you have an important role . You have the power to influence the parties to achieve a release agreement. Please, my son;s life is in your hand. The U.S.A is the greatest country in the world. Thank you for standing by us, may god bless you".
Evangelical leaders representing a quarter of a billion evangelicals around the world participated in the event, including leaders from two of the largest evangelical denominations: the Southern Baptist Convention and the Assemblies of God.
The Friends of Zion Heritage Center is the world's largest social network platform dedicated to the fight against antisemitism and BDS. Its advanced Media Center hosts dozens of events, activities, and press conferences aligned with the FOZ museum's vision. More than 250,000 visitors have already explored the Friends of Zion Museum since its establishment in 2015.
Tel 02-5329401
https://www.facebook.com/fozmuseumIL
https://www.instagram.com/foz.museum/
https://www.youtube.com/c/FriendsofZionMuseumJerusalem
Photos credit Silvia G. Golan
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- Written by Silvia
The King’s Day Event 2025 celebration organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Israel was held on Tuesday, 13 May, at Design Terminal Bat Yam (Ehud Kinamon St. 32, Bat Yam).
King's Day is a national holiday in the Netherlands. It is a day to celebrate the birthday of the King of the Netherlands. Traditionally this day is celebrated with music and dance, celebrations and festivals, and donning of festive attire, particularly in orange, the national color of the Netherlands.
The national anthems of Israel and the Netherlands were sung by cantor Daniel Colthof, and the venue was bedecked in orange to mark the occasion.
The government of Israel was represented by Minister for Social Equality and Minister for Women’s Empowerment, May Golan.
KLM airlines, the flag carrier airline of the Netherlands, was a sponsor for the evening.
About the venue: Bat Yam Design Terminal is a social design complex in Bat Yam that houses a social gallery, a designer incubator, restoration workshops, and a complex for community events."
Diplomacy.co.il congratulates H.E. Mrs.Maria Henriette Schuurman as well as all the staff of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Israel wishing a happy King's Day in Dutch: - Fijne Koningsdag! - Prettige Koningsdag! - Lang leve de koning! and thanks for a memorable evening. .
Photos Silvia G. Golan
More pics at Facebook: Israel Diplo / Diplomacy Israel / Silvia G.Golan
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- Written by Silvia G Golan
President of Ecuador, H.E. Daniel Noboa Azin diplomatic visit to Israel and received The Friends of Zion Award
President Isaac Herzog held a diplomatic meeting with President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador, making his first visit to Israel, during which he officially opened his country’s new Innovation Research and Development Center in Jerusalem. And meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar hosted Ecuador's Foreign Defense and Interior Ministers Mrs.Gabriela Sommerfeld and Mr. John Reimberg in Jerusalem.
The President of the Republic of Ecuador, Mr. Daniel Noboa, as part of his official diplomatic trip to Israel , also visit to the Western Wall Plaza. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation headed by the Ecuadorian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Ecuadorian Ambassador to Israel. And inaugurated an innovation center in Jerusalem.
President of Ecuador, H.E. Daniel Noboa Azin said : " I am honored and excited to receive the Friends of Zion Award, One of the Most Prestigious Awards ".
President of Ecuador, H.E. Daniel Noboa Azin, received The Friends of Zion Award. The evening at the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem was attended by 300 guests, including ambassadors, distinguished guests, businessmen and other VIP.
The Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem hosted the event in honor of the President. The president received the Friends of Zion Award for his steadfast support of Israel these days and in appreciation for 75 years of true relations between Ecuador and Israel.
The Friends of Zion Award was established by the late Shimon Peres, Israel's 9th President and former International Chairman of FOZ. It has been given to over 24 world leaders, including former US President George Bush, former US President Donald Trump, and former Vice President Mike Pence.
President of Ecuador, H.E. Daniel Noboa Azin said: " I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Friends of Zion and Dr. Mike Evans for the meaningful recognition bestowed upon me. This honor is a reflection of the strong ties of friendship between Ecuador and Israel, and it reaffirms our shared commitment to values such as freedom, peace, and cooperation. I am deeply thankful for this gesture, which inspires us to continue working toward a future of mutual respect and solidarity between our nations. "
Dr. Mike Evans, Founder of FOZ stated: “Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa Azín deserves recognition from Friends of Zion for his firm and determined support for Israel at crucial moments. Since the beginning of his term, he has strengthened diplomatic relations between Ecuador and Israel, upholding principles of solidarity, cooperation, and mutual respect. His leadership has promoted collaborative agreements in key areas such as innovation, security, agriculture, and education, and he has publicly expressed his support for Israel's right to defend itself against, condemning the October 7 attacks and expressing his commitment and support for Israel's security and right to defense. He has also condemned Iran's attacks against Israel. This courageous and consistent stance reflects a deep commitment to the values that Friends of Zion promotes and positions Daniel Noboa Azín as a true friend of the people of Israel”.
The Friends of Zion Heritage Center was established in 2015, in the center of Israel’s capital Jerusalem, by founder Dr. Mike Evans, a number one best-selling author, and a Nobel Peace Prize nominee for a lifetime of combating antisemitism.
The Friends of Zion Heritage center is a Zionist platform dedicated to the fight against anti-Semitism and BDS and concerns itself with bolstering awareness for the historical support of the Christian friends of Israel. Their advanced Media Center holds dozens of events, activities, and press conferences in line with the FOZ museum's vision
Photo credit with President Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu: Ma'ayan Toaf (GPO)
Photo credit at FOZ courtesy FOZ Museum
