Rivlin hosts pre-Rosh Hashana reception for diplomats
The event was attended by most of the ambassadors stationed in Israel, including Ukraine's ambassador Hennadiy Nadolenko who is Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.
By GREER FAY CASHMANPresident Reuven Rivlin and Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely at new year reception for diplomats(photo credit: Mark Neiman/GPO)
An overcrowded schedule last year precluded President Reuven Rivlin from hosting the president’s traditional pre-Rosh Hashanah reception for heads of foreign diplomatic missions in Israel.But despite the current political crisis – in which he has tried to avert a third election by bringing the leaders of the two major parties together – Rivlin hosted an apples, pomegranates and honey reception on Wednesday for members of the diplomatic corps, attended by most of the ambassadors stationed in Israel including Ukraine’s ambassador, Hennadii Nadolenko, dean of the diplomatic corps. Also present were honorary consuls who represent countries that do not have embassies in Israel but do have diplomatic relations with Israel.In the street outside the President’s Residence, diplomatic cars with white CD number plates were double parked and lined up bumper to bumper.Despite the occasion, neither Rivlin nor Nadolenko could refrain from mention of the elections, which each hailed as a triumph for democracy but which Rivlin noted also highlighted the divisions in Israeli society that he insisted must be healed.While proud that the elections were a demonstration of a vibrant democracy, Rivlin declared that divisions between the Arab, religious and secular sectors must be healed in order to build a nation-state of shared values and shared vision.He reiterated his belief that in order for this to happen, Israel must have as broad a government coalition as possible with all sectors of Israeli society taken into account, if the new government wants to build a thriving democratic and Jewish state.Both Rivlin and Nadolenko voiced wishes for peace, safety and security in Israel, the region and the world.Rivlin also spoke of the missing soldiers and civilians Hadar Goldin, Oron Shaul, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed being held by Hamas in Gaza, and suggested that the governments represented by the ambassadors could help in their release and repatriation to Israel.Rivlin also spoke of rising antisemitism in the world, saying that this phenomenon requires robust action, greater investment in education, and zero tolerance.In order to formalize a concerted effort in this regard, Israel is hosting a conference of world leaders in Jerusalem on January 23, just a few days before the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.Rivlin said the world leaders are coming at his invitation to reinforce a joint commitment to fight antisemitism and hatred in all shapes and forms.In the absence of Foreign Minister Israel Katz, who was attending the UN General Assembly, the Foreign Ministry was represented by Deputy Minister Tzipi Hotovely, as well as by other senior Foreign Ministry personnel.Among the many ambassadors and honorary consuls in attendance were those of Russia, Egypt and Jordan. Conspicuously absent was US Ambassador David Friedman.
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