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- Written by Michael Jankelowitz Liaison to International Media. 39th World Zionist Congress.
The 39th World Zionist Congress has overwhelmingly elected the new leadership of the World Zionist Organization: Rabbi Doron Perez and Yaakov Hagoel were chosen to serve as chairmen of the Zionist Executive, each for half a term.
After an election process that lasted about a year across the world and in Israel, the leadership of the World Zionist Organization (WZO) was elected. By a large majority of 480 votes in favor, 14 against, and 5 abstentions, Rabbi Doron Perez and Yaakov Hagoel were elected as chairmen of the executive, each serving for half a term. Dr. Yizhar Hess was elected as deputy and acting chairman.
Rabbi Doron Perez, 55, was born in South Africa. He is the chairman of the World Mizrachi Movement, a member of the WZO Executive, head of the Department for Spiritual Services in the Diaspora, and a member of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel.
He lost his son, IDF hero Captain Daniel Perez z”l, in the “Swords of Iron” War. Daniel was killed and abducted to Gaza, and his body was brought to burial in recent weeks.
Yaakov Hagoel, 54, was born in Israel. He currently serves as chairman of the World Zionist Organization. Previously, he was deputy chairman of the Zionist Executive, head of the Department for Israel and Combating Antisemitism, and Chairman of the World Betar Movement. He also served as acting chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel between 2021 and 2022.
The elections in the diaspora for the World Zionist Congress reached a record number of votes, with approximately 265,000 Jews expressing their commitment to the future of the Jewish People, the State of Israel, and the strengthening of Israel- Diaspora relations.
The World Zionist Congress is considered the supreme legislative and decision-making body of the World Zionist Organization — a kind of "global Jewish parliament.” It serves as the central platform for setting the movement’s policies, strengthening the bond between Israel and the Diaspora, and promoting Zionist values in the 21st century.
www.facebook.com/WZOhebrew/
Photo credit — Yaakov Hagoel: Oz Schechter
Photo credit — Rabbi Doron Perez: Courtesy
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- Written by Silvia Golan & Stephen Abrahams
A year and a half after its opening as part of the rapid response operation to receive war wounded, The Hadassah Women's Organization and Hadassah management officially inaugurated the new state-of-the-art rehabilitation center in Israel this evening.
The Gandel Rehabilitation Centre at Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital began receiving wounded from the war known as "Iron Swords" a year and a half ago, and hundreds of victims of the fighting and difficult events in the south and north of the country have been rehabilitated there.
This week, the center was officially opened in a moving ceremony attended by rehabilitated soldiers, the President of the State, the Prime Minister, the President of the Hadassah Women's Organization, the Chairman of the Hadassah Board of Directors, and the medical center's management and staff.
The center, whose construction was primarily funded by the Gendel family, originally from Australia, features a therapeutic pool with a modular floor that adapts to patients' needs, state-of-the-art patient lifts, computerized systems for measuring range of motion, and an advanced gait analysis laboratory.
The Gendel Rehabilitation Center at Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital was inaugurated this week, on Monday, October 27, in a moving ceremony that marked the official opening of this extensive complex, one of the largest and most advanced in the Middle East, following the rehabilitation of more than 2,050 patients.
The inauguration event, spearheaded by the Hadassah Women's Organization (Hadassah, the Zionist Women's Organization of America), the medical center's management, and its board of directors, was attended by the President of the State of Israel, Yitzhak Herzog, and the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, survivors of the War of the Iron Swords, donors, friends of the Hadassah Medical Center and its staff, as well as Ethel Fainstein, director of HI Mexico and Latin America for over 25 years, whose work was crucial to this achievement. Representatives and directors of Diariojudío Mexico and international newspapers, such as Silvia Golan, were also present.
The event took place a year and a half after the rehabilitation departments opened in January 2024. Construction of the center, which was still underway when the war broke out, was accelerated to quickly treat the numerous wounded, given the severe shortage of rehabilitation beds in the State of Israel.
These days, Hadassah decided to take a break from her intense work toexpress its gratitude to everyone who participated in the creation of the center.
To date, more than 2,050 wounded individuals have been rehabilitated at the new rehabilitation center, over 350 of whom were injured in the war. All of them received treatment in the areas of orthopedics, neurology, modular hydrotherapy pools, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy, utilizing the most advanced robotic technologies and smart devices in the field of rehabilitation. They were supported by a large team of professional and experienced therapists: nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, nutritionists, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers, and speech therapists.
During the event, the stories of several patients from the center were shared. With great determination and the support of the professional teams, they recovered from their injuries through remarkable rehabilitation and continued to strive with every step and movement to reintegrate into their lives.
The "Avenue of Renaissance" was unveiled to the participants at the ceremony on Mount Scopus. This project, which has been developing for years since the decision was made to establish the new rehabilitation center, includes the footprints of IDF Chiefs of Staff and senior security officials from throughout the years, along with the footprints of those wounded in Israel's wars. Each Chief of Staff chose a soldier whose story deeply moved them, and together they symbolically imprinted their footprints, representing rebirth and the shared path to recovery.
The new center opened its doors thanks to a major fundraising campaign conducted by the Hadassah Women's Organization and Hadassah International. This national project originated with Dalia Itzik, Chairwoman of the Hadassah Board of Trustees and former Speaker of the Knesset, and was funded by the State of Israel. The center was named Gendel in honor of John and Pauline Gendel of Melbourne, Australia, who run the Gendel Foundation and are considered the center's largest donors in recent years. They made a multimillion-dollar donation—the largest the foundation has ever made to projects worldwide—which they dedicated to its creation.
President Yitzhak Herzog said: "The Gendel Rehabilitation Center offers the essential gift to every human being: hope. Hope to heal the soul and strengthen the body, hope for independence, hope to dream again, hope to achieve and realize their dreams.
During this long war, Michal and I visited countless wounded. Time and again, we saw helicopters land one after another, sometimes almost without pause, bringing heroes in olive-green uniforms, heroes bearing the Hadassah logo. And here we saw how, in an instant, Hadassah medical teams transformed into elite units fighting for the lives of combatants. Here at Hadassah, skilled hands, generational experience, unwavering determination, and boundless wisdom joined forces with the finest professionals and the most loyal messengers of the healthcare system in the State of Israel.Dear friends, with your own hands, you are rebuilding the State and society in Israel." May the work of rebuilding that begins here bring healing and recovery to each of us, and to all of us together
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Hadassah Women’s World Organization, Dalia Itzik, Chair of the Hadassah Board of Trustees, Prof. Yoram Weiss, Director General of Hadassah Medical Center. Thank you for everything you do for Hadassah patients, with patience and discretion. I want to tell you: you are extraordinary. You have excellent doctors and you do magnificent work.
I came here at the beginning of the war, about two years ago, with a congressman from Florida. We toured the wards of the wounded, and it was very difficult. I have seen terrible things on the battlefield, but seeing these young heroes who had lost limbs and suffered serious injuries was moving. Seeing their courage, their indescribable hope… I had to hold back my emotions; it was a great inspiration to me.
Here at Hadassah, I have witnessed a level of medical commitment, meticulous care by the medical teams that is unparalleled in the world. The doctors here are the best professionals. The rehabilitation center that is…” “This building is much more than just a rehabilitation center.” This building, what we see here, is a building of hope and of the new world of tomorrow, and that is what I saw in the eyes of the wounded soldiers. I want to thank everyone at Hadassah for their work helping the wounded reintegrate into life.
Ms. Carol Ann Schwartz, President of the Hadassah Women’s World Organization: “We joined the national mission and inaugurated the Gandel Rehabilitation Center ahead of schedule, driven by a sense of calling to treat and rehabilitate the wounded. The mission we joined is far from over. Many of those being rehabilitated face physical and mental challenges daily, and their struggle has lasted for months and even years. We are committed to continuing to support and assist them every step of the way.” The generosity that made the creation of the center possible reflects the trust and determination of Hadassah Women’s Organization members and supporters worldwide in Hadassah’s activities and mission. We will continue working for the heroes and heroines who risked their lives, in the long rehabilitation process they are undergoing, and for all people in Israel who need medical care and rehabilitation.
Ms. Dalia Itzik, Chairwoman of the Hadassah Board of Directors, stated: “Immediately after October 7, we all understood the magnitude of the situation and mobilized to bring forward the emergency opening of the rehabilitation center by a year and a half. Since then, thousands of people have received treatment at the center, including hundreds of soldiers and war victims.” Investment in infrastructure and equipment, along with intensive fundraising efforts, has made it possible—thanks to the extraordinary generosity of many people in Israel and around the world—to establish the most advanced rehabilitation system in the Middle East, for the benefit of those heroes and heroines who deserve to reintegrate into life stronger than ever. Hadassah Medical Center is a beacon of wisdom and knowledge, with exceptional teams and cutting-edge technologies. They all work together at the Gandel Rehabilitation Center at Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital and lead the field of rehabilitation in the State of Israel, for both soldiers and civilians.”
Professor Yoram Weiss, Director General of Hadassah Medical Center, stated: “For over a year and a half, the teams at the Gandel Rehabilitation Center at Hadassah Mount Scopus have demonstrated their remarkable capacity for recovery and emotional and psychological support, with unwavering professionalism, humanity, and compassion. Every soldier or civilian who enters our rehabilitation system makes us their ally, and our Hadassah staff are by their side every step of the way, at every moment, and with every achievement, no matter how great. The Gandel Rehabilitation Center at Hadassah Mount Scopus impresses everyone not only with its appearance and size but also with the essence and soul it embodies. It puts into practice the principles of mutual guarantee and Zionism, core values of Hadassah, and enables those undergoing rehabilitation to begin a new life strengthened and prepared for various challenges, accompanied on their return home with the same spirit of victory and determination.”Diplomacy.co.il congratulates The Hadassah Women's Organization and Hadassah management for this remarcable achievementand everyone involved in this momental project in realizing the most modern Rehabilitative Centre in the Middle East
Photos Silvia G. GolanMore pics at Facebook: Israel Diplo / Diplomacy Israel / Silvia G.Golan
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- Written by Silvia Golan
When was the last time you pampered yourself ? Onyx Radiance – Where Beauty Meets Innovation
Onyx Radiance is a pioneering beauty & wellness Israeli brand specializing in mineral-infused smart textiles designed to enhance skin, hair, and overall well being. By transforming everyday fabrics into active, therapeutic solutions, Onyx redefines the way we sleep, heal, and glow.
Founded in Israel in 2019, the brand has been growing rapidly and is now attracting strong interest from international markets. With a vision to become the global leader in smart active textiles for health, beauty, and sleep, Onyx continues to push the boundaries of innovation.
Backed by science, Onyx is conducting a clinical trial led by world-renowned dermatologist Prof. Artzi at Sourasky Medical Center, Israel’s most advanced cosmetic dermatology practice.
We spend a third of our lives sleeping – shouldn’t our textiles work for us while we rest? With Onyx Radiance, they do.
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Made in Israel
Photos Silvia G. Golan
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- Written by Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines to the State of Israel
Kibbutz Be’eri, 26 October 2025
The Asia-Pacific Embassies in Israel held a solemn commemoration ceremony at Kibbutz Be’eri on 26 October 2025, to honor the foreign nationals from the Asia-Pacific region who lost their lives during the Hamas attack on 07 October 2023.
The ceremony took place at Kibbutz Be'eri, where four Filipinos, two Sri Lankans, and one Australian were killed. Two Thai workers who worked in the kibbutz were also abducted and later killed in Gaza. The body of one Thai national remains in Gaza.
Ex-hostages, survivors, and bereaved families joined diplomats, Israeli government officials, and members of the Be’eri community in the ceremony. The program included messages of remembrance delivered by MFA Asia-Pacific Deputy Director General Aviv Ezra, a wreath offering by Population and Immigration Authority Director General Boaz Yosef, candle-lighting rites, interfaith prayers led by a Catholic priest and a Buddhist monk, and tribute performances.
In his message as Dean of the Asia-Pacific Ambassadors, Vietnamese Ambassador Ly Duc Trung recalled the Ambassadors’ earlier request to the Israeli Government to look into issues concerning the safety and welfare of foreign workers in Israel. These include, among others, safety and shelter during conflict, the cancellation of “Basket of Services” fees, salary deductions, no work–no pay policies, restrictions on sectoral mobility, and visa matters.
“We believe that the best way to remember those who are no longer beside us is by paying due attention to those who are beside us. The remembrance, healing, and pursuit of peace are therefore indeed more meaningful,” the Vietnamese envoy noted.
In his message of remembrance, Deputy Director General Ezra paid tribute to the foreign nationals who perished, noting that as they are part of Israeli society, their deaths are also Israel’s loss. He thanked friends from Asia who reached out to Israel, prayed for them, and shared their grief. “We are better together, we are stronger together,” he said.
The ceremony also paid tribute to the courage of foreign caregivers who survived the attack and continued to care for their elderly wards, as well as to the families of foreign nationals who remain unaccounted for. Participants offered prayers for the swift return of all remaining victims’ bodies, particularly the three Be’eri residents and foreign nationals (one Thai, one Tanzanian).
Among the victims remembered were nationals from Australia, Cambodia, China, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. They had come to Israel to work, study, and build better futures for their families back home. Their lives and contributions—particularly those of foreign caregivers, agricultural workers, and students—were acknowledged as integral to Israeli society and its recovery.
Through this collective act of remembrance, the Asia-Pacific Embassies reaffirmed the solidarity between their countries, Israel, and the international community in the shared pursuit of healing and peace. It also underscored the sacrifices and immeasurable contributions of foreign workers to Israeli society, highlighting the importance of ensuring their safety, dignity, and well-being.
“May their memories be a blessing — Yehi zichram baruch.”
Photos courtesy of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines to the State of Israel
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- Written by Silvia Golan
Debate for Peace successfully completed its fourth international delegation to the United Nations headquarters in Vienna, bringing together exemplary Model United Nations (MUN) and diplomacy students from 12 different schools. This program remains a key platform for nurturing young leaders’ understanding of global issues, diplomacy, and peace initiatives.
This year’s delegation took part in a notable conference titled “A Sustainable Future of Peace Starts Now—With Education: SDG 16,” emphasizing the crucial role of education in fostering peaceful, inclusive societies. This aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 16, which advocates for justice, strong institutions, and peaceful coexistence worldwide. The conference was organized by the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP), with support from the UNODC Youth Mainstreaming unit
Throughout their visit, the students participated in insightful briefings and discussions with several UN organizations, including UNOOSA, UNHCR, UNODA, and UNODC. They also met with representatives from the International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, the Austrian Foreign Ministry, and prominent think tanks such as the International Institute for Peace. Additionally, the delegation engaged with the leadership of the EU Delegation to International Organizations in Vienna and the US Mission to the UN (USUNVIE), gaining vital knowledge about diplomatic procedures and international collaboration.
A major highlight of the trip was a three-hour session dedicated to Youth and Peacebuilding. The event featured speakers from the missions from Burkina Faso, Mexico, and the Philippines, Jean-Luc Lemahieu, former Director at UNODC, and Ms. Paloma Munne- Youth mainstreaming specialist at UNODC, as well as civil society representatives. Four Debate for Peace students participated as panelists, sharing insights into the challenges facing youth in the peacebuilding arena and discussing ways that adults can support young leaders in creating positive change and fostering dialogue.
At the conclusion of the panel, the Youth Ambassador for Peace award was bestowed by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and Youth and Students for Peace (IAYSP) upon members of Debate for Peace, and the Global Women Peace Ambassadors award was given to several panelists by the Women’s Federation for World Peace.
The participating students represented a broad spectrum of educational institutions, including Hand In Hand, Atid Raziel, Ohel-Shem, Al Hikma High School, Deshalit High School, Darca Begin Gedera, Schmidt Schule, Meitarim, Al Galil High School, Prishtina High School, Ort Hilmi Shafie, and El Ein Jouiner High School. Their active involvement illustrates the potential of youth to contribute meaningfully to peace efforts at a global level.
The US Mission to the UN in Vienna stated “We were delighted to welcome a remarkable interfaith student group this week for an engaging discussion on our work with Vienna-based international organizations. These bright young leaders posed thoughtful, challenging questions about our work in Vienna and engaged in meaningful dialogue on today’s most pressing world issues. Engagements like this help America invest in the leadership potential of the next generation ensuring strength, safety, and prosperity for generations to come.”
The Women’s Federation for World Peace stressed the importance of cooperation and endurance in peacework: “To work for peace is a continuous effort- one has to be ready and alert at all times- ready to get involved when a conflict is starting- get the parties to talk it out- also being ready listen to each other, then to find a peaceful solution together…
We have to all share this responsibility to make this world a safe place for everyone. Therefore we cooperate as a network with like minded people and initiatives!! No one can do it all alone!”
Debate for Peace extends its sincere appreciation to all partners and organizations that facilitated this delegation. Special gratitude was expressed to the Women’s Federation for World Peace Vienna office (WFWP), International Institute for Peace (IIP), Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs of Austria, US Mission to the UN (USUNVIE), Delegation of the European Union to the International Organisations in Vienna, International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), UN Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Steven Aiello
Director, Debate for Peace
Visit our website: http://debateforpeace.org/
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Photos credit Hala Abu Saria / Debate for Peace
Press Office US Mission to the UN in Viena
