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- Written by Antoanet (Tony) levy , Silvia Golan & Stephen Abrahams
On Tuesday, 29 July 2025, a farewell reception in honour of Israel's newly appointed Ambassador to Panama, H.E. Mr. Mattanya ( Matty ) Cohen was hosted by the Israel - Latin American Chamber of Commerce and by Honorary Consul of Belize and Vice President of the Ambassadors Club executive committee, Mr. Yoram Ray Naor in Herzliya Pituach. Many Latin American Ambassadors to Israel, high ranking government officials and members of Israel's international community attended the event.
H.E. Mr Mattanya Cohen was the Foreign Ministry's Head of the Latin American and Caribbean Division prior to his new appointment as Ambassador to Panama.
Israel's Chief of State Protocol, H.E. Mr. Gil Haskel congratulated Israel's new Ambassador to Panama praising his tireless efforts, many years of devoted service and visionary leadership which have intensified Israel's multilateral relations with Latin and MesoAmerican countries.
H.E. Mr. Mattanya Cohen responded by expressing his gratitude and thanks to his colleagues, partners and friends for their unwavering support throughout his career. He acknowledged and warmly mentioned his wife, Shira and their son, also present at the event.
H.E. Mr. Yitzhak Eldan, President of the Ambassadors Club, also Israel's former Chief of State Protocol and Ambassador to UNESCO offered a touching tribute, "We could not be prouder of you dear Matty, your steady leadership and reasoned voice are exactly what the world and Israel need presently".
Present at the reception were Mrs. Maya Sherman, Senior Innovation Officer at India's Ministry of the Exterior, H.E. Mr. Ofek Amir, the Foreign Ministry's Head of the Latin American Division, Dr. Ronit Almog, Ichilov Hospital Head of the International Humanitarian Programme, Ambassadors of Paraguay, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Vietnam, Dominican Republic, Mr. Natan Allalouf, Honorary Consul of Costa Rica, Mr. David Ben Basat, Vice President of ACI and Honorary Consul of Nauru, Mr. Roberto Spindel, President of the Israel - Latin American Chamber of Commerce, Mrs. Sara Allalouf, Honorary Consul of Latvia, Dr. Menashe Rosenfeld, Honorary Consul of El Salvador, Mr. Maor Ifrah, an advisor in Israel's Foreign Ministry, Mr. Lior Haiat, the Foreign Ministry's North American Division's Director and Mr. Marian Cohen, President of C Mer Industries and more.
The evening was filled with warmth, admiration, and best wishes as guests celebrated Ambassador Cohen's contributions and looked forward with great confidence to his new role in Panama.
Diplomacy.co.il & www.diariojudio.com wish H.E. Mr Mattanya Cohen and his family have an abundance of success and Heavenly Aid as Israel's Ambassador to Panama.
Antoanet (Tony) levy
External Relations & Innovation President's Office,
HIT Holon Institute of Technology
Photos credit Silvia G. Golan
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On Thursday evening, 24 July the Ambassador of the P.R. of China to the State of Israel, H.E. Mr. Xiao Junzheng and Defence Attache of the P.R. of China to Israel, Senior Colonel Xu Xiaogang hosted an exclusive reception for a 150 guests, celebrating the 98th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army of China at the David Inter Continental, Tel Aviv.
In China, 1st August is celebrated as Army Day, also known as P.L.A. Day, commemorating the founding of the People's Liberation Army in 1927. It is a professional military and state holiday to recognize China's armed forces. The People's Liberation Army was established during the Nanchang Uprising marking the start of the Chinese Communist Party's armed struggle and in 1933, 1 August was officially designated as Army Day.
The official ceremony started by the playing and singing of China and Israel's national anthems.
In his speech, Ambassador of China to the State of Israel, H.E..Mr. Xiao Junzheng emphasized that in the context of unprecedented changes unseen in a century and compounded risks, China's President Xi Jinping has proposed the Global Security Initiative and advocated a security outlook characterized by common comprehensive cooperative and sustainable security, providing direction for solving global security challenges. The Chinese President has put forward a four point proposal regarding the current situation in the Middle East providing a Chinese solution for achieving regional peace and stability. The relevant parties should make every effort to achieve a ceasefire and end hostilities, ensure the safety of civilians, initiate dialogue and negotiations while the international community should support mediation and efforts for peace. The Ambassador stated that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese aggression and the world Anti-Fascist war. A Jewish soldier and medical doctor, Dr. Jacob Rosenfeld, contributed valiantly for 10 years fighting for China. China is willing to work with countries to jointly safeguard the hard - won achievements of World War 11, to uphold and promote hard earned peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness, inclusiveness and a green and beautiful new world.
Senior Colonel Xu Xiaogang stated that over 98 years ago since its founding , the People's Liberation Army has gone through a glorious course of struggle, making outstanding contributions to winning national independence, safeguarding national sovereignty and world peace. As the P.L.A. is embarking on a new journey in a new era, it adheres to the guidance of president Xi Jinping's thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for the future as well as implementing his ideas on strengthening the military. The P.L.A. thoroughly implements President Xi's vision of a "Community of a Shared Future For Mankind" and "Three Global Initiatives" conducting peacekeeping military operations, humanitarian medical assistance, friendly exchanges and communications demonstrating the P.L.A. 's responsibility in safeguarding peace and security. The People's Liberation Army calls for a ceasefire in the Palestinian - Israeli conflict, the prevention of further hostilities between Israel and Iran and the peaceful coexistence of all ethnicities so that peace and development may once again prevail in the Middle East. Senior Colonel Xu Xiaogang concluded his speech by making a toast.
Present among many dignitaries were Major General (ret) Matan Vilnai, a former Knesset member, Minister and Israel's Ambassador to China in 2012 who is currently the President of the Israel - Asia Chamber of Commerce, Brigadier General Avigdor Kahalani (ret), former Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv and Minister of Internal Security, Mr. Ehud Olmert, former Prime Minister of Israel and Mayor of Jerusalem, Vice Admiral (ret) Eliezer Marom, former Commander of the Israeli Navy, Brigadier General (ret) Yitzhak Segev, Israel's former Military Governor in Gaza in the early 1980's, Dr. Menashe Rosenfeld, El Salvador's Honorary Consul in Israel, Major General Patrick Gauchet, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization Head of Mission and Chief of Staff, Mr. Gabriel Hayon, Chairman of the Diplomatic Institute, Dr. Khaled Khalifa, Chairman of the Arab Council of Foreign Relations, Colonel (ret) Sasa Greenberg, former External Relations Department of the I.D.F. and last but most certainly not least, Ms. Ariela Schmida Doron, the Jerusalem Gold Hotel's General Manager.
Diplomacy.co.il warmly congratulates the Ambassador of China to Israel and the Defence Attache of China to Israel on the 98th anniversary of China's People's Liberation Army Day and for a memorable reception.
Photos Silvia G. Golan
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Latin American Ambassadors Visit Magen David Adom Headquarters, Donate Blood, and Explore Collaboration
A delegation of Latin American Ambassadors to Israel visited (monday) the National Headquarters of Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency services agency. The visit included a tour of MDA’s advanced operational and medical facilities, briefings on the organization’s lifesaving efforts during the October 7 attacks and Iranian missile strikes during Operation “Rising Lion”.
Yesterday, Monday, 21 July 2025 Magen David hosted a visit of Latin American Ambassadors from Panama, Chile, Honduras, Ecuador, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Paraguay and Guatemala to their National Headquarters in Ramla.
Ambassadors from Panama, Ecuador, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Paraguay, and Guatemala took part in the visit, which was spearheaded by Ruth Wasserman Lande, MDA’s head of global strategy, and led by MDA Director General Eli Bin.
The delegation was introduced to MDA’s cutting-edge emergency response capabilities, from its proprietary AI-powered dispatch systems to its fleet of specialized emergency vehicles, including mobile intensive care buses, Unimog evacuation trucks, Medicycles, and off-road response units.
They also toured MDA’s Marcus National Blood Services Center, the world’s first secure, underground facility of its kind, which collects, tests, and supplies blood units to hospitals throughout Israel and the IDF, as well as MDA’s Sussman Human Milk Bank, which provides milk for premature and ill infants whose mothers are unable to nurse.
A guided tour included a visit to the National Blood Services Centre and Human Milk Bank where Prof. Eilat Shinar informed the dignitaries of the details and workings of
a unique underground facility that supplies blood units to hospitals in Israel as well as to the I.D.F. Cutting edge technologies including Magen David's National Operation Centre being one of the world's most advanced were showcased. Magen David's innovative emergency response vehicles were also shown to the Ambassadors.
Ambassador of Panama to Israel, Ezra Cohen, thanked MDA on behalf of the diplomatic corp: “Magen David Adom’s work is incredibly moving. I visited MDA in the past — it was an unforgettable experience. Immediately afterward, I told all my fellow ambassadors that they must come and see MDA’s operations with their own eyes. There are no words to express my gratitude for everything you do.”
MDA Director General Eli Bin: “Magen David Adom is Israel. We are proud to host the Latin American ambassadors and officials visiting us today. Your presence is a great honor for Magen David Adom and an important step in strengthening ties between MDA and the international community. For over 95 years, MDA has been at the forefront of medical and humanitarian work, responsible for emergency response across Israel. Your visit underscores the value we place on international cooperation, and I look forward to deepening the connection forged here today.”
At the end of the visit a Ambassadors of Ecuador, Panama, and Acting Ambassador to Honduras decided to donate blood.
For information and donations: .
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Photos Silvia G. Golan
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Monday, 22 July 2025 / 25 Tammuz 5785
President Isaac Herzog welcomes new Ambassadors to Israel from Poland and Malta
Confirmation of Poland’s Ambassador marks country’s first ambassador to Israel in four years
President Isaac Herzog today, Monday, received the diplomatic credentials of new ambassadors to Israel from Poland and Malta. The confirmation of Poland’s ambassador marks the first time in four years Poland has had a full-time resident Ambassador in Israel.
Welcoming first Ambassador of Poland, Maciej Hunia, President Herzog said: “We are very happy that you are here, and especially happy that after four years, there is a full-fledged ambassador on behalf of Poland in the State of Israel.”
He added, “Poland is a great friend, and also has special meaning for many of us here in Israel, from the good days to the dark days. And I hope that during your time here we will greatly deepen and expand the cooperation between our nations.”
Ambassador Hunia said: “Thank you very much Mr. President. It is a great honor to serve my country in Israel. Our countries share a common history, as you mentioned, dark chapters and also bright chapters. We know what happened in Poland during the Second World War, but also we are aware that Jewish people contributed a lot to Polish culture, and Poland contributed also to the Israeli society.”
He noted the terrible tragedy inflicted by the war, and added, “I was twice in Kibbutz Nir Oz. I saw the brutality brought by Hamas, and stressed, “We demand the hostages to be released as soon as possible — this is crucial to future stability. We are with you.”
President Herzog then welcomed new Ambassador of Malta, Claude Bonello.
President Herzog said: “Israel is a small country just like yours. We are both Mediterranean countries and we have much to share. As we mark 60 years of our diplomatic relations it is a good opportunity to invest in building understanding and cooperation in many fields.”
Ambassador Bonello thanked the President and said: “First and foremost we are friends, I come here with a message of friendship”, and noted his hope to expand the cooperation between the two countries.
In welcoming the ambassadors, the President stressed the supreme importance of returning the hostages held in Gaza, and noted this remained the key to progress in the region.
Video of the Diplomatic Credentials Ceremony - Poland and Malta: https://mab.to/t/2f45ieCBH6s/
Video credit: Roi Avraham / GPO
Sound credit: Nir Sharf / GPO
Photo credit: Maayan Toaf / GPO
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The 11th International Day of Yoga in Jerusalem with the attendance of the Ambassador of India in Israel H.E. J.P. Singh
Celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga in Jerusalem!
The Embassy of India in Israel, in collaboration with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Jerusalem Municipality, is pleased to invite you to a special event of IDY – in the heart of Jerusalem.
Where? Mamilla, near Jaffa Gate – facing the walls of the Old City, in a magical Jerusalem setting
When? July 15, 2025 | 18:45–20:30
Program
Guided yoga session by the Jerusalem instructors Maayan Shenhar and Maayan Rodan accompanied by live sitar music performed by Tavor Ben Dor
a true celebration of body, mind, and spirit.
The event will take place in the presence of H.E. Mr. J. P. Singh, the Ambassador of India to Israel, alongside members of the diplomatic community and yoga enthusiasts.
Everyone is welcome – whether you're a seasoned yogi or just looking for a moment of peace and connection.
Free admission – advance registration required:
https://docs.google.com/forms/
What to bring? A yoga mat, a smile, and good energy 
Exact location on Google Maps:
Closest Parking: Karta parking. Itzhak Karib 1, Jerusalem
