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A joyous reception was held on Tuesday evening in honor of Fiesta Nacional de España, the National Day of Spain. H.E. Mrs. Ana María Salomón Pérez, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain, hosted the celebration at the Ambassador’s residence in Herzliya.
Guests enjoyed Spanish music and refreshments all evening, including delicacies like Tortilla de Papa, Empanadas de Atún, Sandwiches de Miga, Queso Manchego and Crema catalana, accompanied by Spanish beverages like sangria and ron. The kosher catering company Paella Valencia ensured that all the guests got to try Valencia’s signature dish.
After hearing the national anthems, Ambassador Salomón Pérez opened her remarks, welcoming guests to the celebration, the first in person celebration of this event since Covid 19 suspended meetings. The ambassador noted the somber effects of the pandemic, as well as aggression on European soil with the invasion of Ukraine, before returning to the festive theme of the evening.
Ambassador Salomón Pérez spoke of Spain and Israel as being on opposite sides of the Mediterranean, and the goal of it being a “sea of peace”, and on that note congratulated Israel on the recent energy deal with Lebanon.
The ambassador noted the historic ties of Jews to Spain, including such luminaries as Maimonides, Judah Halevi and Solomon Ibn Gabirol. Ambassador Salomón Pérez talked of the future ties between Israel and Spain as well, with a growing relationship based on shared democratic values, and growing economic cooperation. More than 300,000 Israelis visit Spain annually, reflecting the significant interest in Spanish history, culture, and of course sports.
President Emeritus Reuven Rivlin spoke on behalf of the state of Israel. President Rivlin relayed blessings on behalf of President Isaac Herzog. The president reminisced about his own state visit to Spain, and the warm reception he received from the royal family there.
President Rivlin remarked upon the important and lasting legacy of Spanish culture on Jewish history, with Sepharadim–Jews of Spanish heritage, constituting a plurality of the Jewish population in Israel, and the role of Ladino, the Judeo-Spanish language. The president noted the great scholars from Maimonides and Nahmanides, on to Spinoza, who were part of this rich Jewish-Spanish community. In conclusion, President Rivlin raised a toast to the health and success of the people and government of Spain.
The many distinguished guests included: President Emeritus Reuven Rivlin; Artist Miri Shafir-Navon, widow of Yitzhak Navon, the fifth president of the State of Israel; Professor Shimon Shetreet, the Greenblatt Chair of Public and International Law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a former Minister of Economy, Science, and Religious Affairs; the Israeli Foreign Ministry's Chief of Protocol Gil Haskel; David and Tracy Freeman, Baha'i representatives in Jerusalem; Dan Catarivas, Director General – Foreign Trade and International Relations at the Manufacturers Association of Israel; Matias Schapiro, President of the Israel-Spain Chamber of Commerce; Henrique Cymerman & Dr. Nirit Ofir from the Israel Gulf Cooperation Council Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Davy Antebi from the Southern Europe department at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Aitor Almendros, Head of the startup Platform at Cardumen Capital ; Yona Bartal, representative of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, Gideon Tahler, Chairman of Tal Aviation, the official representative of Air Europa Airlines in Israel, Georgina Litvak - Corporate Account Manager - Hilton Tel Aviv; Micha Harish - Former Minister of Industry and Commerce , former Chairman of Israel - Spain Chamber and Commerce ; Moshe Shoham - Former Economic Counsellor of Israel in Spain , former Managing Director of the Israel - Spain Chamber of Commerce , and members of the Cervantes Institute.
The Director and staff of www.diplomacy.co.il share their good wishes to the Ambassador, Embassy Staff and to the people of Spain on this auspicious occasion.
Steven Aiello
Founder--DebateforPeace
& member of http://www.diplomacy.co.il/
https://debateforpeace.
Photos and Videos by Silvia G. Golan
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Embassy of the Slovak Republic Celebrates Constitution Day and the Day of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic with Rooftop Reception
The Embassy of the Slovak Republic held a reception to mark the occasion of Constitution Day and the Day of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic on Monday evening at 1 Rothschild in center Tel Aviv. Guests enjoyed the rooftop view, dinner, and a collection of wines.
After the playing of the national anthems of Slovakia and Israel, the Slovak Ambassador, H.E. Igor Maukš, opened the event. Ambassador Maukš talked about what this day means for Slovakians: respect for rule of law, human rights, democratic values and integrity. The ambassador noted that the bilateral relationship with Israel was critical for the Slovak Republic. Among many partnerships between Israel and the Slovak Republic, the ambassador highlighted the opening of the Slovak Institute in Jerusalem to promote artistic and cultural sharing.
Ambassador Maukš also welcomed Israeli Minister of Intelligence Elazar Stern, who recently visited Slovakia on an official visit, and noted that the President of Israel, Mr. Isaac Herzog, would soon visit Slovakia as well. The ambassador mentioned that with Slovakia assuming the presidency of the Visigrad group, it would be prioritizing Connectivity, Sustainability, and economic issues.
Minister Elazar Stern spoke on behalf of the Israeli government. The minister noted that Czechoslovakia was among the first nations to recognize Israel in 1948, and Israel returned the favor when it recognized the newly independent Slovakia.
In highlighting the strong relationship between the two countries, the minister cited Prime Minister Lapid’s visit to Slovakia as foreign minister in March, as well as visits to Israel by the foreign minister and deputy foreign minister of Slovakia, the chairman of the Parliament, and the ministers of agriculture and health. Minister Stern also recalled his own recent visit to Slovakia, and the positive developments and cooperation between the two countries. The minister also expressed appreciation for the opening of the Slovakian Center in Jerusalem as an important step for the bilateral relations.
Following the speeches of the ambassador and the minister, a special award was presented to Anat Warshavski, an Israeli artist who won an art competition sponsored by the embassy.
Among the distinguished guests in attendance were: Mr. Gil Haskel, Chief of State Protocol at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Jakub Urik, the director of the Slovak Institute in Jerusalem; Tzachi Braverman and Adi Baruch (Senior Counsel of MK Benjamin Netanyahu); Georgina Litvak - Corporate Account Manager - Hilton Tel Aviv; Israel World Diamond Exchange president Boaz Moldavski and his wife Ayala; Mr. David Freeman, Jerusalem Representative of the Baha'i community, and many members of the diplomatic corps and military representatives in Israel.
The Staff of www.diplomacy.co.il congratulates the government, people, and Embassy of Slovak Republic on the occasion of their National & Army Day
Steven Aiello
Founder--DebateforPeace
https://debateforpeace.wordpress.com/
Photos Silvia Golan
More Pics at Facebook Diplomacy Israel and Israel Diplo / Silvia G Golan
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The embassy of El Salvador in Israel celebrated the 201st anniversary of its independence with a reception last Wednesday night in Tel Aviv. The celebration was held at the Nahat restaurant located in the old Tel Aviv train station–turned upscale event venue (Hatachana), in the presence of members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Israel, Salvadoran community and friends of El Salvador.
The ambassador, H.E. Mrs. Susana Gun de Hasenson addressed those present with an emotional message to the Salvadoran diaspora and thanking the friendship of the countries represented there.Then the national anthem of El Salvador was played.
The attendees tasted typical drinks from El Salvador, such as freshly brewed, imported coffee and the exquisite horchata. The atmosphere was very friendly and lively. The restaurant was decorated with flags of El Salvador.
Ambassador Hasenson invited attendees to continue celebrating, taking a tour of the Tel Aviv Coffee Festival, in which El Salvador participated for the first time, offering an exquisite variety of coffees to the delight of coffee aficionados.
The guests included the Ambassador of Brazil, Mr. Gerson Menandro Garcia de Freitas; the Ambassador of Peru Mr. Carlos Chavez-Taffur; diplomats from the embassies of Paraguay, Mexico, and Panama; the Honorary Consul of El Salvador, Dr. Menashe Rosenfeld, the Honorary Consul of Belize, Mr. Yoram Naor, and Mrs. Georgina Litvak - Corporate Account Manager - Hilton Tel Aviv.
The Minister of Economy of El Salvador, Mrs. María Luisa Hayem, visited Israel recently, in May 2022, where he held more than two dozen meetings and engagements aimed at promoting and intensifying economic ties between Israel and El Salvador spanning a variety of areas in the public and private sectors (more information in the article: http://www.diplomacy.co.il/
The Staff of Diplomacy.co.il congratulate the government, people and the Embassy of El Salvador on the occasion of the 201st anniversary of Independence and hope that their strong bilateral ties with Israel continue to prosper.
Steven Aiello Founder--DebateforPeace https://debateforpeace.org
Photos Silvia Golan
More photos on Facebook Silvia G Golan / Melody Israel / Israel Diplo
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The Embassy of Nepal celebrated Constitution Day, and 61 years of Nepal-Israel bilateral relations, with a festive reception at the Ambassador’s Residence in Herzliya on Sunday night. The evening brought the flavors of Nepal to Israel, with traditional cuisine prepared for guests to enjoy.
The Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, H.E. Kanta Rizal, wearing a traditional sari, greeted the guests. After the playing of the national anthems, a traditional candle lighting ceremony was held. Ambassador Rizal then began her formal remarks.
Ambassador Rizal explained the importance of Constitution Day as “the day to celebrate our achievements,” with the celebration lasting three days this year to include both the Gregorian date and the Nepali date. The ambassador spoke about the importance of enshrining secularism and inclusiveness as founding values, protecting the religious, linguistic, ethnic and cultural diversity of Nepal.
The ambassador lauded the strong ties between Israel and Nepal, and expressed appreciation for Israeli support during the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, as well during Covid 19, and through agricultural training programs. Ambassador Rizal closed by reiterating her confidence that the bilateral relations would only continue to grow in the future.
Tamar Zandberg, the Minister of Environmental Protection, spoke next, noting that the long history of strong bilateral ties included then Prime Minister of Nepal B.P. Koirala’s visit to Israel and meeting with Israel’s founding prime minister, David Ben Gurion, in 1960. The minister spoke of how the connection between the countries has blossomed to include agriculture, health, education, tourism, security and humanitarian aid, demonstrating the “true friendship shared between our peoples.”
Minister Zandberg highlighted the foreign ministry’s MASHAV and the “Learn and Earn” training program which has trained thousands of graduates to return to Nepal “equipped with unprecedented knowledge and experience in modern Israeli farming technology.” The minister also commended Nepal on its democratic stability as a model for other countries to emulate.
As environmental protection minister, Minister Zandberg also addressed the shared challenge of both Israel and Nepal as countries facing the impacts of climate change, and “climate-vulnerable” countries. In closing, she reiterated the best wishes of the Israeli government and people to the nation of Nepal on their national day.
Nepal is a beloved tourist destination for many Israelis, including those interested in hiking. In that regard, high altitude mountaineer Nadav Ben Yehuda, Honorary Public Relations Representative of the Nepal Tourism Board, took the stage to talk about the touristic highlights of Nepal, while playing a video showing the beauty and diversity of the country.
The President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, also sent a formal gift for the ambassador, following her recent arrival to take up the position. The gift was presented at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Guests then enjoyed the traditional dishes, with the ambience of festive lights and decorations. For those planning a trip or just eager for more information, there were books and fliers in English and Hebrew about visiting Nepal.
The distinguished guests in attendance included Mr. Gil Haskel, Chief of State Protocol at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affair; Rafael Harpaz, deputy director general of the Asia Pacific department of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Dan Ben Eliezer, former Israel Ambassador to Nepal; Michael Ronen - Head of India and Southeast Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Major General (Res) Matan Vilnai; Raviv Byron, President of the Israel-India & Nepal Chamber of Commerce; Stephen Abrahams from the Ministry of National Infrastructures Energy and Water Resources; Mr. David Freeman, Jerusalem Representative of the Baha'i community, and many members of the diplomatic corps in Israel.
The Staff of www.diplomacy.co.il congratulates the government, people, and Embassy of Nepal on the occasion of their National Day,
Steven Aiello
Founder--DebateforPeace
https://debateforpeace.wordpress.com/
Photos Silvia Golan
More Pics at Facebook Israel Diplo
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On Wednesday evening the Embassy of Brazil hosted a reception in honor of the 200 year anniversary of Brazil’s independence. The evening punctuated a week-long festival held at Tel Aviv port’s Hangar 11 as part of Casa Brasil, organized in conjunction with ApexBrasil. The guests at the gala were invited to taste Brazilian delicacies and hear live music, while enjoying an exclusive viewing of the expo of Brazilian imported goods as part of the Casa Brasil.
Ambassador Gerson Menandro Garcia de Freitas opened the evening, noting Brazil’s successes and achievements since gaining independence from Portugal in 1822. Today Brazil is one of the five largest countries in the world by size and population, and among the 10 largest economies in the world. The ambassador noted Brazil’s role in producing food for a billion people around the world, as well as a clean energy producer. Highlighting Brazil’s diversity and integration of citizens of different backgrounds, the ambassador observed that 400,000 Brazilians have Jewish ancestry.
Looking at Brazil-Israel relations, the ambassador announced that 2022 was a record year, with bilateral trade at 189% compared to 2021. Brazilian students attend all major Israeli universities, and the countries cooperate on a range of areas such as: Education, Culture, Science, Innovation, Agricultural Technology, Water Management, Health Technology, Defense, Space, and Cybersecurity.
Among the important milestones the ambassador highlighted were: 80 years since Brazil’s declaration of war against the Nazis, with an expeditionary force of 25,000 soldiers sent to fight; 75 years since the 1947 UN General Assembly session, presided over by Brazilian Ambassador Oswaldo Aranha, “which approved the partition plan that led to the creation of the State of Israel”; and one year since Brazil joined the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. The ambassador also recognized Brazil’s Righteous Among the Nations, including diplomats Madam Aracy Guimarães Rosa and Ambassador of Brazil to France Souza Dantas. He concluded his remarks by pointing out that despite many differences, Brazil and Israel share key similarities which bond the two nations.
Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz spoke on behalf of the government of Israel. Minister Horowitz reiterated the importance of Brazil in Israel’s history, shepherding the key vote at the UN General Assembly in 1947. The minister thanked Brazil for providing consistent political support in multilateral forums, such as the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, and for opening a trade office in Jerusalem. The minister noted that with elections coming in both countries, he was confident that regardless of who was in power in each country, the bilateral relations between the two nations, resting on such a firm bedrock of support and respect, would continue to grow.
Among the distinguished guests in attendance were: Israeli Foreign Ministry's Chief of Protocol Gil Haskel; Jonathan Peled, Deputy Director General for Latin America and the Caribbean; Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv (and Brazilian native) Reuven Roberto Ladianski; Chief operating officer- Israel office Apex - Brasil, Felipe Martins Campbell; composer and musician Matti Caspi; award-winning Capoeira trainer Miki Chayat; actress Nitza Shaul and husband, orchestra conductor and musician Doron Salomon; Brazilian singer Elisete; Hernan Felman, vice chairman of KKL-JNF; of Stanley Morais, El Al Acting Director of International Affairs; radio broadcaster Dubi Lenz; Father Tomasz Grysa from the Vatican; Father Sostenies; Gabriel Hayon - President of the Diplomatic Institute; Stephen Abrahams from the Ministry of National Infrastructures Energy and Water Resources; Dr. Ori Preuss from Tel Aviv University, and literary translator Michal Shalev.
The Staff of www.diplomacy.co.il congratulates the government, people, and Embassy of Brazil on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Brazilian Independence and the 73d anniversary of diplomatic relations between Brazil and Israel.
Steven Aiello
Founder--DebateforPeace
Photos by Silvia G. Golan
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