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Very special evening held by the Spain Embassy to Israel to celebrate inclusion through culture to mark the beginning of the Spanish Presidency of the European Union, at Nalagaat Center - Port of Yaffo Tel Aviv
The program  included: Opening Cocktail;  A scene from the show " Not by bread alone". Eleven deaf - blind actors take the audience on a magical tour in the districts on their inner world; the world of darkness, silence and... bread and an Special superb Flamenco performance in the dark
 
Spanish Embassy in Israel Ushers in Their Presidency of the EU Council with a Strong Call for Inclusion**
On the evening of July 5th, the Spanish Embassy in Israel became a focal point for a potent blend of diplomacy, cultural celebration, and advocacy for inclusivity. The event marked the Spanish Presidency's first event of the Council of the European Union in Israel. in motion. The night reverberated with palpable commitment to shared global objectives, European unity, and the struggle for a more inclusive society.

In his opening speech, the Spanish ambassador Mrs. Ana María Salomón Pérez, referenced Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's recent trip to Ukraine on the first day of Spain's term, emphasizing the unequivocal support Spain and the EU extend to Ukraine. The ambassador quoted Jessica Roswall, the Minister for European Affairs of Sweden, asserting that Ukraine's fight for freedom is essentially a fight for the freedom of all.

The ambassador harkened back to 1986, the pivotal year when Spain joined the European project and established diplomatic relations with Israel, underlining the profound transformations since then. The ambassador drew attention to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a comprehensive framework to guide international efforts, symbolized by the five P's: People, Prosperity, Planet, Partnership, and Peace.
This guiding vision, she explained, inspired Spain's four priority lines of action during their presidency. They comprise reindustrialisation and Open Strategic Autonomy, the green transition, enhancing social and economic justice, and strengthening European unity. Emphasis was placed on a people-focused presidency, determined to enhance inclusivity and safeguard the most vulnerable groups.
The ambassador's speech held a resolute emphasis on inclusion, highlighting that almost 15% of European citizens have a certain degree of disability. He noted that both Israel and the EU have significantly contributed to the inclusion of persons with disabilities, and affirmed that this commitment was reflected in the night's event.
The evening was marked by the ambassador's collaboration with the Israeli non-profit, Na Laga'at, an organization dedicated to providing equal opportunities for people with disabilities. The partnership showcased a vibrant tableau of inclusion and integration, offering attendees an "eye-opening" experience. The event featured a cocktail catered by deaf individuals, followed by a theatrical scene from the show "Not by Bread Alone", performed by deaf-blind actors and actresses. The evening concluded with a Flamenco performance in the dark, enabling attendees to experience the dance through feeling rather than sight.
Thanking the CEO of Na Laga'at, Oren Itzhaki, and all those who contributed to the event, the ambassador acknowledged the unyielding effort that went into organizing the night. The event was a testament to the strong ties between Spain and Israel, a symbol of the shared commitment to inclusivity and social justice.

The Spanish ambassador's heartfelt address, steeped in solidarity, compassion, and hope, set the tone for Spain's upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union. It left attendees with an unforgettable evening, a renewed commitment to social inclusion, and a strong sense of anticipation for the transformative work Spain will undertake during its term.

 
The Ambassador of the European Union ,H.E. Ambassador Dimiter Tzantchev greeted Spain and offers best wishes for success 
 
 And finally the -CEO of na lagaat center, Oren Itzhaki said: You watched the first part from our play "Not by Bread Alone" , Eleven deaf-blind actors take the audience on a magical tour in the districts of their inner world; the world of darkness, silence and…bread. That play has been performed since 2007 on the stage of the theater.
Na Laga’at is a one of a kind non-profit arts and cultural center that represents an equal meeting place between Deaf, blind and deaf-blind individuals together with the general public.
A lot of organizations have recently been talking about integrating everyone, saying that more must be done.
We cannot truly integrate as a society unless we understand that integration should begin with supporting the development of abilities on the one hand and experiencing meetings on the other.
 Above all ,for all of us  releasing the sense of poverty for blind and deaf people and change the attitude approach to and social integration and in our case cultural integration
According to the Article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights “everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share his advancement and its benefits.” Cultural rights are,  inseparable from human rights.
In nalagaat center Every day, we try to find and bring out the special abilities of our employees to create more new and diverse activities that will allow the general public to meet through a personal experience with the people who work here.
We believe that all men are equal and that we have to accept responsibility for each other and to help contribute to society all people with and without disability

I hope we will open agate and start a cooperation between Israel and Spain on inclusive cultural activities to increase awareness of inclusive culture activities in the world
.I want to invite to the stage , the Dancer and choreographer: Sharon Saguy(i) ,  Singers: Yael Horwitz , Shuku Sveiky,  Guitar:  Ofir Atar.

 
Among the guests who took part in the celebration were Jonathan Peled- Deputy Director General for Latin America Israel MFA ; Ambassador Aviva Raz Shecheter- MFA Instructor , Israel National Defense College;  Dani Dayan - Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate; Professor Shimon Shetreet, the Greenblatt Chair of Public and International Law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a former Minister of Economy; Ayala Meitav Senior Project Manager for International Relations Tel Aviv -Yafo Municipality; Anat Sar- Israel Fashion Designer Kiki dresstodress and many foreign Ambassadors and business leaders.
 
 The Staff of www.diplomacy.co.il  congratulates the government, people, and Embassy of Spain on this occasion and offers best wishes for success
 

 Photos Silvia Golan
More Pics at Facebook  Diplomacy Israel / Israel Diplo

 
 
 
 

 

 

The Embassy of Slovenia in Israel held a National Day celebration Wednesday night in honor of Statehood Day, marking Slovenia's declaration of independence from Yugoslavia on June 25th 1991. The event was hosted by H.E. Ambassador Mrs. Andreja Purkart Martinez at the ambassador’s residence in Herzliya Pituach.

Upon arrival, the Ambassador and members of the Embassy staff received the guests, who enjoyed Hors d'oeuvre while jazz music was played in the background by the Gil Livni Trio. The flags of Slovenia, the European Union and Israel stood in the garden, behind the podium where the Ambassador delivered her speech.

Ambassador Martinez opened her remarks by noting that it will be 32 years of Slovenia’s independence, and at the same time 30 years since the opening of the Slovenian Embassy in Israel, during which the countries have developed close and friendly ties as well as strong cooperation in many other fields. More particularly, the Ambassador expressed her wish to foster cooperation in the fields of science and innovation, inspired by the many people she met who aim to improve our future.

Next, Ambassador Martinez emphasized Slovenia’s support for Ukrainian independence and territorial sovereignty, and that the country will continue helping Ukraine in every possible way.

Then, she mentioned Slovenia’s recent achievement of being elected as a non-permanent member of the UN security Council for the 2024-2025 term, following the “Building Trust-Securing Future” campaign. The campaign reflects Slovenia’s goal to act as a unifying force seeking constructive solutions while respecting international law in areas such as accountability, conflict prevention, transparency, women rights, peace and security agenda. The second part focuses on climate and security, water diplomacy, food security and children in armed conflict areas. She also expressed Slovenia’s wishes to deepen the dialogue with other UN members and strengthen confidence in multilateralism while building trust.

Last, Ambassador Martinez thanked her team at the Embassy, as well as others such as the Honorary Consuls Adi Rosenfeld and Eival Gilady, Chairman of the Western Galilee College, Eiran Bollesl, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Israel- Slovenia and Orel Hershkovich, and concluded with proposing a toast for friendship, health and peace.

Among the honored guests who took part in the celebration were Honorary Consul of Slovenia Adi Rosenfeld, Honorary Consul of Slovenia Eival Gilady, Dan Catarivas, President of the Israeli Federation of Bi-National Chambers of Commerce and Industry; Dr. Andy David - Director of the Innovation Task Force Israel MFA; Dr. Ophir Falk, Foreign Policy Advisor at the Prime Minister Office; Adi Barouh, Senior Advisor to the Chief of Staff at the Prime Minister Office; Dr. Laurence Weinbaum, Director General, World Jewish Congress Israel;  Boaz Waksman Chairman of Ophir Tours, Stanley Morais, El Al Acting Director of International Affairs, and many foreign Ambassadors and business leaders.

 

The Staff of www.diplomacy.co.il congratulates the government, people, and Embassy of Slovenia on the occasion of their National Day, 32 years of independence.

 
Steven Aiello  Founder--DebateforPeace
 
 Photo credits:  Silvia Graciela Golan 

More Pics at Facebook  Diplomacy Israel / Israel Diplo / Silvia G. Golan

 
 

 

 

 

On Tuesday June 6th, 2023, on a lovely spring evening, diplomats, military personnel, Israeli government officials, Israelis of Swedish descent and key figures in the tech industry were hosted by Ambassador of Sweden, Mr. Erik Ullenhag and his wife Maria Velasco in their beautiful residence in Herzliya to celebrate Sweden's 500 years of independence. The National Day of Sweden celebrates the birth of modern Sweden with the election of King Gustav Vasa in the 16th century, which set the stage for Sweden to emerge as an independent modern nation out of the Danish-dominated Kalmar Union. 

 

Upon entering, guests were welcomed by the Ambassador and his wife, who were accompanied by Ukrainian officials in an act of solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Inside the house, guests encountered a modern demonstration of Israeli-Swedish friendship and mutual innovation – a robotic arm, manufactured by the Swedish ABB corporation in Israel, lifting up the flag of Sweden on one side and the flag of Israel on the other. The celebration was a delightfully Swedish affair – With ABBA music playing in the background throughout the evening by a band that was located on the roof, meatballs and Swedish cider served front and center, and flowers bearing the colors of the Swedish flag dotting the courtyard and parlor. 

 

The ceremonial part of the evening began with the Swedish national anthem, followed by the anthem of Israel, and concluded with the anthem of the European Union, performed by the talented Keren Eilenberg accompanied by Doron Mizrahi on guitar. Following the anthems, Ambassador Ullenhag gave his remarks and welcomed all guests to his residency for the national day celebrations and the golden jubilee of King Carl XVI Gustaf. Ullenhag mentioned the sincere friendship between Sweden and Israel, emphasized Sweden's deep commitment to Israel's security, and condemned the recent missile attacks, noting that he witnessed their impacts while visiting youth being treated for post-trauma by animal therapy methods. 

 

The Ambassador called for a two- state solution living peacefully side by side. He thanked those who are involved in the work of promoting peace, gender equality, human rights, and women's rights in particular, as a true feminist who strives for a better, more equal society. Ambassador Ullenhag also expressed his gratitude for the people dedicating their lives for the remembrance of the holocaust, as the worst crime against humanity in history, and in the fight against anti-Semitism. He continued thanking those who are strengthening Swedish-Israeli ties in the academic and the technological fields, ties that go back to Israel's early years, when Sweden sent the largest number of volunteers, approximately 50,000, to join the Kibuzzim movement to help build the country. Ullenhag concluded his speech by thanking all of the Israelis who enjoy Swedish goods such as IKEA, Spotify, Abba music, Astrazeneca and more. 

 

Ambassador Ullenhag’s speech was followed by a speech by the honorary guest May Golan, a minister without a portfolio at the Prime Minister office, who spoke on behalf of the Israeli government. In her speech, Ms. Golan stressed the similarities amongst the two nations as they are both vivid democracies with many shared values as demonstrated, for example, by the recent visits of the two countries' Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Israel and Sweden respectively. Minister Golan also emphasized the Kibbutz Tech program, which aims to bring Swedish youth for internships at Israeli high-tech companies in order for them to be impressed by the Israeli innovation environment. Mrs. Golan concluded her speech by expressing Israel's appreciation for Sweden's contribution, as the president of the EU, to the improvement in the stance of Israel over the past few years. Golan also expressed gratitude for Sweden's activities with regard to the preservation of the memory of the Holocaust and the struggle against anti-Semitism, as well as its successful presidency of the IHRA – the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. On behalf of the Israeli government, Minister Golan wished the Kingdom of Sweden continued prosperity and success, and the strengthening of friendship between our two countries. 

 

Guests mingled inside and outside the elegant residence, enjoying a delicious buffet and a selection of beverages. Among the distinguished guests in attendance were Ambassador Gil Haskel, Chief of State Protocol at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ariel Goldstein (Senior Counsel of MK Benjamin Netanyahu); Tali Eshkoli, Eurovision Israel producer; Roneh Aharon, CEO of ABB technologies (Israel Branch) and others members of the company, who were responsible for the aforementioned robotic arm, Attorney Shashi Gaz and Angela Scharf and Doris Sperer from the "Women Wage Peace Organization" .

The event was sponsored by CEVT, IKEA, Vinnova, ABB, Surgical Science, SKF, SOL, SAS, Volvo, Kopparberg, and H&M. 

 

www.diplomacy.co.il & @debateforpeace congratulates the government, people, and Embassy of Sweden winning EUROVISION and on the occasion of their National Day 

 

Steven Aiello Founder--DebateforPeace https://debateforpeace.org 

Photo credits:  Silvia Graciela Golan 

More Pics at Facebook  Diplomacy Israel / Israel Diplo / Silvia G. Golan

 

 

 
 

 

 

The Embassy of the Philippines in Israel held an historic celebration on Thursday night–the 125th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine  Independence . To mark the occasion, diplomats, community leaders and friends of the Philippines met at the Dan Hotel in Tel Aviv for a joyous celebration. 

 

H.E. Ambassador Pedro Laylo Jr., Ambassador of the Philippines in Israel, welcomed the guests. The ambassador recalled the courage of President Manuel Quezon, who during the dark days of the Holocaust, opened the doors of the Philippines to Jewish refugees from Europe, saving thousands of lives. Ambassador Laylo explained that this powerful history paved the way for the strong ties between Israel and the Philippines. 

 

Ambassador Laylo noted that this vibrant connection between the two countries extended to warm interpersonal relationships, witnessed daily in the thousands of Israelis lovingly tended to by caregivers from the Philippines, who refer to their charges as “Imma”, “Saba”, as beloved members of the family. The Ambassador stated that there are approximately 20,000 caregivers and 2,000 hotel workers in Israel from the Philippines. 

 

Looking to the more recent past, Ambassador Laylo pointed out that the goals post-Covid 19 had been to “rebuild”, and that the facts bore out the achievements in this regard, with record highs in bilateral trade and commercial activities. The ambassador listed defense cooperation and tourism as key areas for cooperation between the two countries, while also emphasizing the private sector opportunities such as innovation, research and development. Ambassador Laylo said that in the Philippines, Israel is seen as an incubator for new ideas to boost productivity, while for Israel the Philippines is an ideal opportunity to grow its presence in the region.

 

Ambassador Gil Haskel, chief of protocol at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took the stage next. Draped in a celebratory sash, Ambassador Haskel noted the vibrant and growing bilateral ties, which include the recent visit to the Philippines by Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and participation in the Israel-Philippines Business Forum 2023: Building Bridges of Innovation. Ambassador Haskel said that Israel, founded half a century later, sees itself as a “younger” brother of the Philippines. 

 

A video greeting was then played with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issuing  a greeting to the guests and congratulations to the people of the Philippines, and calling for the special friendship between the people to grow ever stronger. A second video of foreign minister Cohen emphasized that the Philippines was the only country in Asia to support Israeli independence at the UN, and the warm welcome of Jews by the Philippines during World War II.

 

Following the speeches, Ambassador Rafael Harpaz, Deputy Director General for Asia and the Pacific at the Israeli Ministry for Foreign Affairs and former ambassador to the Philippines, joined Ambassador Laylo and Ambassador Haskel on stage for a toast to the welfare of both countries. Guests then enjoyed a lavish dinner, including special dishes and cocktails prepared using recipes from the Philippines. A band then took the stage, and guests danced to lively music with the theme “music from the ‘80s”, for a truly festive celebration.

 

 

And on Saturday, also Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv provided a spectacular setting for the celebration of the Philippines' 125th anniversary of independence, meticulously arranged by the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv.

The festivities were a vibrant affair, showcasing Filipino dances, melodic tunes, and a booth offering a delectable array of traditional Filipino cuisine.

This remarkable occasion was graced by the esteemed presence of Philippine Ambassador Pedro Laylo, who fervently emphasized the unbreakable tie between the Philippines and Israel.

Furthermore, he shed light on the ongoing collaborative endeavors aimed at advancing the direct flight initiative.

 

Diplomacy.co.il congratulates the embassy and people of the Philippines on their 125th anniversary and offers best wishes for success.

 

 Steven Aiello Founder--DebateforPeace https://debateforpeace.org

 Photos by Golan Yossifon, PDOT
 
 
 

 

 

The Embassy of Azerbaijan hosted an Independence Day celebration at the David Intercontinental Hotel in Tel Aviv on May 24th. The event was particularly historic as it marked the first Independence Day celebration since the opening of Azerbaijan’s first embassy in Israel, and the arrival of the ambassador, in a bolstering of Israel-Azerbaijan ties.

 

The evening opened with the anthems of Azerbaijan and Israel, followed by speeches. H.E. Ambassador Mukhtar Mammadov, the first resident ambassador of Azerbaijan to Israel, welcomed the guests to this historic gathering, and spoke about the importance and vitality of the bilateral relationship between the two countries. 

 

Ambassador Mammadov noted that the evening commemorated the founding of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918, the first democracy in a Muslim country in the world, bringing the values of “equality, multiculturalism and peaceful coexistence” to the region. The ambassador emphasized that the opening of the embassy in Israel signified another milestone in a Jewish-Azerbaijani relationship which dates back thousands of years, including the health minister in the 1918 government being of Jewish heritage.

 

The Ambassador remarked on the warmth and friendship that he and his staff have experienced since arriving to open the embassy, and expressed gratitude for all of the hospitality and support. Ambassador Mammadov highlighted his country’s commitment to a strong relationship with Israel, by stating that he is proud to represent a country in which anti-semitism “has not existed before, does not exist today, and will not exist in the future.”

 

Minister of Intelligence Gil Gamliel spoke on behalf of the Israeli government. Minister Gamliel congratulated the ambassador and thanked President Ilham Aliyev for the historic decision to advance bilateral relations by opening the embassy of Azerbaijan in Israel. The minister mentioned shared values of religious freedom, tolerance and respect for diversity as a bedrock for the strong bilateral relationship. Minister Gamliel also cited common threats, such as from Iran, suspected of being behind an attempted assassination of an Azerbaijani parliamentarian, and with a recent deadly attack on the embassy of Azerbaijan in Tehran.

 

Looking to the future, Minister Gamliel foresaw the nations of Azerbaijan and Israel working together to promote peace and stability. The minister concluded her remarks by a blessing of best wishes and for continued flourishing of bilateral relations.

 

Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Fariz Rzayev expressed thanks for the support and confidence of Israeli colleagues in helping advance the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Israel. Deputy Minister Rzayev highlighted the Azerbaijani founding values of secularism, tolerance, and respect for all cultures and religions as the driving force for the country. The deputy minister noted that the past 30 years of bilateral relations, since Azerbaijan’s independence, paved the path for the opening of the embassy this year. Deputy Minister Rzayev stated that for Azerbaijan and Israel, “the sky is no longer the limit”, setting expectations for the future trajectory of the Azerbaijan-Israel relationship across fields ranging from education to commerce to tourism to security. 

 

At the conclusion of the speeches, a toast was raised to the best wishes of the two nations. Guests then enjoyed a lavish dinner. Among the distinguished guests in attendance: Azerbaijan Deputy Foreign Minister Fariz Rzayev; Ambassador Gil Haskel, head of protocol and former director of Mashav; Liliane Haim, Director of the Protocol Department at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs; numerous Knesset members, including Boaz Bismuth, Avigdor Liberman, Yoel Razvozov and Vladimir Beliak; Michael Sutovsky, Deputy Mayor of Holon; Advocate Eli Nacht, Deputy Mayor of Ashdod; Michal Hershkovitz Director, Central Asia and Caucasus Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel; Simona Halperin Deputy Director General, Head of the Euro - Asia Division at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Journalist Victoria Dolinsky from the Kan network, and a member of the Aziz Friendship organization led by Adam Amilov to promote Azerbaijani-Israel relations; Adam Schalimtzek, Head of International Relations Division at the Israel Ministry of Environmental Protection; Holon Institute of Technology (HIT) President Professor Eduard Yakubov; HIT CEO Mr. Shmuel Goldberg; Mrs. Antoaneta  (Tony) Levy, HIT External Relations Innovation Support EuroAsia and Balkan Countries manager; Adam Amilov, Deputy Mayor of Kiryat Yam; Nokia CX Europe Manager Tagi Tagidze; and Professor of Architecture and Construction Elishan Kourban.

 

Diplomacy.co.il offers congratulations to the Government, Embassy and people of the Republic of Azerbaijan on this important occasion. 

 

 Steven Aiello Founder--DebateforPeace https://debateforpeace.org

 Photos by Silvia Graciela Golan More Pics at Facebook  Diplomacy Israel / Israel Diplo / Silvia G. Golan