Photo: President Herzog with Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr. Arai Yusuke
*President Isaac Herzog receives diplomatic credentials of new ambassadors to Israel from Kazakhstan, Peru, Kenya, Japan, and Italy*
_*Incoming ambassadors express their hopes for the hostages’ return, with the representatives of Japan, Italy, and Peru attending the ceremony wearing the yellow ribbon pin in support of the hostages.*_
At a special ceremony at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, President Isaac Herzog today, Thursday, received the diplomatic credentials of the new ambassadors to Israel from Kazakhstan, Peru, Kenya, Japan, and Italy.
At the ceremony, the incoming Ambassador of Japan, Arai Yusuke, Ambassador of Italy, Luca Ferrari and the incoming Ambassador of Peru, Javier Martin Sanchez Checa Salazar, arrived to submit their letters of credence to the President, wearing the yellow ribbon pin, which has become a worldwide symbol for the call to release of the 120 hostages, who are still being held captive by the terrorist organization Hamas.
Photo: President Herzog with Ambassador of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Daulet Yemberdiyev
First to present his letter of credence to the President this morning was the ambassador of Kazakhstan, Daulet Yemberdiyev, who thanked the President and said: "I was honored to be appointed to work in this wonderful and beautiful country. We feel the support of the State of Israel in all fields. I want to thank you, on behalf of the President of Kazakhstan and on behalf of our people.”
The President replied: "Your country is showing much leadership in your region. We have a lot to do together.”
Photo: President Herzog with Ambassador of Peru, H.E. Mr. Javier Martin Sanchez Checa Salazar
Second to submit their letter of credence was Peru's Ambassador Javier Martin Sanchez Checa Salazar. The President welcomed him and said: “Young Israelis love to visit your country, it has amazing nature and a beautiful Jewish community. There is a strong bond between our peoples, and we must work to strengthen the business ties between us.”
The Ambassador of Peru thanked the President and stressed his country’s support for the release of the hostages: “I want to convey to you the warm regards from our President, and I look forward to working hard to strengthen relations and cooperation between our countries.” He added, “We condemn the terrible attack on October 7th, and we support Israel's position in demanding the immediate release of the hostages.”
Photo: President Herzog with Ambassador of Kenya, H.E. Mr. Albert Kendagor
Next, the President received the letter of credence from the Kenyan ambassador, Albert Kendagor. The President congratulated him and said: "Kenya is a special and important country for many Israelis. I hope that during your time you will be able to upgrade the relationship between our countries. We appreciate your call for the immediate release of the hostages. This is something that should be heard throughout the region and the world.”
Ambassador Kendagor thanked the President: “Israel and Kenya have many common areas of interest, including in the field of Agritech. We also face the common threat of terror, and we look forward to working together for peace and security. We hope that all the hostages will be released.”
Following, the incoming Japanese Ambassador Arai Yusuke presented his letter of credence to the President, who stressed the importance of the relationship between Japan and Israel. He said: “Japan is a very important nation and a very important friend to Israel. Israelis want to enhance the relationship between our countries. I hope we are able to see more Israelis visiting Japan and more Japanese people visiting Israel. I look forward to seeing more cultural exchanges as well as more cooperation in business, security, and more.”
Ambassador Yusuke thanked the President and said: “His Majesty asked me to especially convey his wishes to enhance the relationship and cooperation between our countries. I believe this is in our national interest. I wish very much for peace and normality to return to your country, and the return of the hostages is of course key to that.”
Photo: President Herzog with Ambassador of Italy, H.E. Mr. Luca Ferrari
Finally, Italian Ambassador Luca Ferrari submitted his letter of credence to the President. The President emphasized the importance of Italy’s role in the region and said: “Italy and Rome have impacted our very being for thousands of years. Today, Israel is facing a war that is also important to the innate safety issues of Europe – and Italy especially as a key nation in southern Europe and the Mediterranean, aligned with us in combatting terror and hatred of this kind and in understanding the international threats that they pose.”
Ambassador Ferrari said: “I am very keen to foster the bilateral relationship, we are working on many agreements for cooperation. We also stand with Israel at this very difficult stage. You have the full support of Italy, its people, and its government.”
Photo credit: Haim Tzach/ GPO
