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- Written by MFA Spokesperson
.The two foreign ministers also signed memoranda of understanding for policy consultations and an agreement for cooperation with MASHAV-Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation.
. In a historic virtual ceremony, the first of its kind, Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabi Ashkenazi and Kosovo Minister of Foreign Affairs Meliza Haradinaj today (Monday, 1 february 2021), signed an agreement establishing diplomatic relations between Israel and Kosovo. At the end of the ceremony, FM Ashkenazi unveiled the plaque that will be placed at the entrance to the Kosovo embassy that will be established in Jerusalem.
FM Ashkenazi: “The establishment of relations between Israel and Kosovo is an important and exciting historical step that reflects the many changes the region has experienced in recent months. Today, Kosovo officially joins the circle of countries that strive for peace and stability and recognize Israel and Jerusalem as its capital.
“Kosovo's decision to join the circle of countries fighting antisemitism who have adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism is conclusive proof of the important alliance between peoples and cultures. I sincerely hope that Kosovo will continue to operate in this way of peace and war against extremists, and will also work to recognize Hezbollah and all its branches as a terrorist organization.”
In addition to the document establishing the bilateral relationship, the two foreign ministers signed memoranda of understanding for policy consultations and an agreement for cooperation with MASHAV - Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation.
The ceremony was preceded by a bilateral meeting attended by the two foreign ministers and their professional teams, during which the Kosovo FM Haradinaj emphasized her country’s commitment to designating Hezbollah as a terror organization. In addition, she detailed her program to promote Holocaust remembrance education in Kosovo as well as care for Jewish cemeteries and the opening of a Jewish cultural center this year.
The virtual ceremony was also attended by Matthew Palmer, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the US State Department.
FM Ashkenazi thanked the US administration for its great contribution to the establishment of relations between Israel and Kosovo and added: “I thank the United States for its efforts to promote world peace and for promoting Israel's relations with countries with which we did not have diplomatic relations until recently. Israel wants to see a stable Balkans. If there is will on both sides, we will be happy to participate in the effort to establish confidence-building measures together with Kosovo and Serbia under the auspices of the United States.”
Photo .FM Ashkenazi unveiling the plaque that will be placed at the entrance
to the Kosovo embassy in Jerusalem. Photo: MFA.
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- Written by Spain Embassy
On the occasion of the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, which was celebrated on January 27 and is one of the strategic events of the Ministry, we have published a video in Spanish and English with a message from the Minister and a video and a podcast with interviews with the General Director of the Centro Sefarad-Israel, Miguel de Lucas
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, Ms. Arancha González, joins the campaign, #ProtectTheFacts to combat Holocaust denial #Shoah
:and expressed
"We say no to: deny, excuse, manipulate or minimize the #Holocaust." Only by knowing the mistakes of the past can we avoid a repetition of the suffering that today we say should not happen again
Minister Arancha González's statement for the Holocaust Memorial Day
#shoah
, #HolocaustRemembranceDay
#ProtectTheFacts y los handles
@MAECgob
, @SpainMFA
@SefaradIsrael
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- Written by Silvia G. Golan
At the Balai Quezon (Quezon house) at the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv today, senior leaders of The "Confederation of General Zionists" faction presented a special certificate to the Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., of the Philippine Embassy in Israel, Ms. Reichel Quinones.
The Certificate expressed gratitude for the Republic's vote in favor of UN General Assembly Resolution 181 on November 29, 1947, which paved the way for the creation of the State of Israel as well as for the Open Doors policy of President Quezon,
which saved the lives of over 1,300 Jews from Europe in the years 1937-1941.
David Yaari, Vice Chairman of the Confederation of General Zionists said: "The Jewish people have a long memory and President Quezon deserves to be remembered for his brave act of kindness during such a dark period of Jewish History. As leaders of the General Zionist faction of the World Zionist Organization, we deeply appreciate the consideration of the Philippine's to vote in favor of Resolution 181 (the partition plan) on November 29, 1947".
Dov Lipman, former MK and Secretary General of the Confederation of General Zionists: "In a world filled with enemies of Israel and the Jewish people we cannot take it for granted when a country saves Jews and supports Israel.
We owe a debt of gratitude to the Philippine government and people, and today was just the beginning of showing our appreciation".
Ms. Raichel Quinones, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., of the Philippine Embassy in Israel, thanked the Confederation of General Zionists for the certificate, pointing out that President Quezon’s humanitarian act has become the foundation for the strong relations that the Philippines and Israel continue to enjoy to this day. “President Quezon’s rare act of compassion continues to open doors between our two countries and inspire us to find ways to deepen the relations between our countries and peoples,” she said. “Through the Balai Quezon, we hope to generate awareness of this unique part of history that forged a lasting friendship between two peoples during such a difficult period of time.”
The Balai Quezon, the Philippine Embassy's cultural center, was inaugurated on 29 October 2019. It serves to promote greater awareness and recognition of the story, history, and meaning of President Manuel L. Quezon’s Open Door policy.
The "Confederation of General Zionists" is a faction in the World Zionist Congress that deals with Zionism on a macro scale with an emphasis on strengthening the connections and ties between the State of Israel and Diaspora Jewry.
The Confederation faction has set its focus and goals to strengthen the connections between Israel and Diaspora Jewry, and is not affiliated with any political party or any religious sect. The Chairman is Jesse Sultanik, whose grandfather Kalman Sultanik z”l previously
served as Vice President of the World Jewish Congress.
Photo
From right to left (171 KB):Ms Katheryne Wendy Cruz, Political Attach`e of the Philippine Embassy in Israel, David Yaari, Vice Chairman of the Confederation of General Zionists, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of the Philippine Embassy in Israel, Ms. Reichel Quinones, and former MK and Secretary General of the Confederation of General Zionists, Dov Lipman. Courtesy: YOSSIFON PR.
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- Written by Ministry of Tourism
Jerusalem, Dec. 3 – Israel's Minister of Tourism Orit Farkash-Hacohen and H.E. Minister Zayed Al Zayani signed a historic MOU in the field of tourism on Wednesday, as Israel and Bahrain continue to build upon the Abraham Accords regional peace initiative. At the ceremony in Jerusalem, Al Zayani said he and his delegation were returning to Bahrain "with lots of hope and ambition that we will forge the peace signed by our leadership, so it transmits to every Israeli and every Bahraini citizen."
Farkash-Hacohen said the visit was "dedicated to bilateral professional meetings between the two ministries, to explore new opportunities and promote tourism initiatives between our countries. Airlines, hotel representatives, travel agents and tour operators from both sides met to discuss practical plans and initiatives in the field of tourism." The MOU, the minister stressed, provides the framework to turn ideas into plans into packages. "Together, we can create packages for regional tourism, offering tourists from Brazil, China or Australia or the Philippines to visit both our countries."
The MOU is the first of its kind between Israel and the Arab states in the Gulf. It includes a number of sections on bilateral cooperation between the governments and the private sector in the field of tourism, and calls to develop various types of travel: for families, wellness, business, and others. Additionally, the MOU establishes a joined committee headed by the Ministers, which will meet regularly to promote joined ventures among travel agents, airlines, tour operators, and all relevant industry representative.
Minister Farkash-Hacoen stated she would work to open travel for Bahrain tourists as soon as possible, and stated: "Governments sign treaties, but people create peace. This is why signing a bilateral tourism MOU is so important. We are encouraging travel between our countries. We are encouraging people to meet and interact with each other. We are connecting two cultures. By doing so, we are encouraging true and lasting peace."
H.E. Al Zayani said: "You will find in us a true partner, a genuine investor and a frank friend. We feel there is a real opportunity to develop tourism between our two countries, and beyond. And we invite you and welcome you to use Bahrain as a springboard to the rest of the world, and look forward to using Israel as a springboard for us to the rest of the world."
"No doubt COVID19 put a lot of pressure on the hospitality and tourism sector," Al Zayani added. "It is our responsibility to make sure this sector is back on its feet as soon as possible. I would like to extend an open invitation to you and to all Israelis to come and visit our country."
Photo credit: Yossi Zamir (GPO)
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- Written by Silvia G. Golan
Photo: President Rivlin with Ambassador of Australia H.E. Mr. Paul Griffiths
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President of Israel Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin today, Wednesday 11 November / 24 Cheshvan, received diplomatic credentials from the new ambassadors of of Australia, Guatemala, Malta, Cyprus and Turkmenistan to Israel as they begin their postings, in an official ceremony at Beit HaNasi. Each ambassador was welcomed with the playing of their national anthem by the Israel Police Band and then reviewed an IDF honor guard, smaller in size than normal because of the coronavirus restrictions. After presenting their letters of credence, the ambassadors signed the Beit HaNasi guest book.
Photo: President Rivlin with Ambassador of Malta H.E. Mr. Patrick Cole
Ambassador Patrick Cole of Malta was the first to present his credentials to the president. The president welcomed him to Israel and spoke about the deep connections between the two countries. “I hope you feel at home here. We are neighbors. You know the Middle East very well, and the conflicts between peoples, tribes and states. With the national conflict between Israel and the Arab countries, there has never been a conflict between Judaism and Islam,” said the president.
The ambassador thanked the president, saying “I would like to congratulate you on your moving speech marking Kristallnacht. It left a profound impression on me and will stay in my heart. I congratulate the State of Israel on its normalization agreements with the Gulf states. This is a real change and I hope it is signals more to come. It is important for the region as a whole.”
The next to present his credentials was the Australian ambassador, Paul Griffiths. The president said he was still deeply affected by the warm reception he received when he visited Australia last February, and spoke about how much he was impressed by the Australian people.
Speaking about the Malka Leifer affair, the president said, “I would like to be clear that Israeli law will be respected as well as Australian law, and that both countries respect international law. I believe the matter will be resolved in a matter of months and I am in contact with the minister of justice and all other parties involved in the case. The whole process is transparent and you can also follow events as they happen.”
Photo: President Rivlin with Ambassador of Guatemala H.E. Mrs. Olga Julissa Anzueto Aguilar
Ambassador Olga Julissa Anzueto Aguilar of Guatemala then presented her credentials. The president welcomed her, and sheh thanked the president saying that since the official residence has now moved to Jerusalem, she has “the privilege of living in this wonderful city.”
Photo: President Rivlin with Ambassador of Cyprus H.E. Mrs. Theodora Constantinidou
After that, Theodora Constantinidou, the new Cypriot ambassador was received by the president and presented her credentials. The president asked to send his warmest wishes to his old friend the president of Cyprus, saying “The trilateral relations between Cyprus, Greece and Israel are very important to us. We are not just neighbors, we are good friends who work together in a wide range of fields, and will continue to do so.” The ambassador thanked the president, saying “In Cyprus and at the Cypriot embassy, you and your country will always have an open ear and a hand stretched out in friendship. You can count on it.”
Photo: President Rivlin with Ambassador of H.E. Mr. Turkmenistan Komekov Toyly Babayevich
Finally, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan, Komekov Toyly Babayevich, presented his credentials. The president extended an invitation to the President of Turkmenistan, through the new ambassador, to visit Jerusalem, and the ambassador thanked him and said that his president attaches great importance to relations with Israel.
Photo credit: Mark Neyman (GPO)
