Although US President Donald Trump appears to hold his Turkish counterpart in high regard, that opinion does not seem to be shared by other US politicians who this week participated in a virtual, closed-door, interparliamentary meeting. What brought all the participants together was a perceived threat of Turkish aggression. Participants included Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. The meeting, initiated by Gregg Roman, executive director of the Middle East Forum, also launched the Eastern Mediterranean Knesset Caucus. In-depth discussions focused on emerging challenges, such as Turkey’s expanding influence and the threats it poses to regional stability. MK Ohad Tal, one of the caucus co-chairs, opened the session by identifying how Turkey is rapidly supplanting Iran as the chief aggressor in the region.
Caucus co-chair MK Alon Schuster addressed Israel’s future following the conclusion of major combat operations.
“Our goal is to translate our operational strength into a stable political standing,” Schuster said. “The partnership with Greece and Cyprus is not only a security alliance, it is an opportunity to build regional civilian resilience in the fields of energy, water, agriculture, and innovation.”
US Congressman Randy Fine (R-FL) highlighted acute concerns regarding Ankara’s geopolitical trajectory. And US Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL), the lead sponsor of the Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act, reinforced the necessity of clear-eyed alliances. “We need to be clear about who our partners are in the Middle East and who our enemies are, who is open to cooperation and who creates obstacles and challenges,” Schneider said. “I am leading the Gateway Act, legislation that will push our country toward cooperation with IMEC [India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor] countries, especially Israel, Cyprus, and Greece. I see the three plus one framework as critical to the success of IMEC, enabling initiative, regional integration, and peace.”
Among the participants were Hellenic Parliament Member Dimitris Kairidis, head of the Greek delegation to NATO, and Cypriot Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Harris Georgiades, as well as Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser, Lt. Col. (res.) Sarit Zehavi, Dr. Gallia Lindenstrauss, Yehonatan Adiri, Liane Pollak-David, and Endy Zemenides, along with congressional staff, members of diplomatic missions, and prominent journalists from leading global media outlets.
Roman issued a warning to the region’s adversaries, “those in Tehran, Istanbul, and Moscow – who should realize that there is a new alliance in this theater of the world. They should be on alert, because we are not going to put up with their influence activities, asymmetrical warfare, or threats to any of our nations’ security.”
Australian trade missions
Despite the rise and frequency of anti-Israel and antisemitic incidents in Australia, Australia’s business community is interested in participating in trade missions to Israel. According to Michelle Blum, the CEO of the New South Wales and Queensland branches of the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce, three such trade missions are expected to arrive in Israel in March, April, and May to learn first-hand what Israel is doing in technological innovation. The March trade mission will focus on Cloud, Digitalization & Data; the April mission’s areas will be Construction & Property Tech, Smart Cities, AI & Cyber; and in May, the subjects will be AI, Cyber, Robotics, and Digital Health.
Prior to October 7, 2023, Australian trade missions to Israel were fairly frequent, with itineraries and speakers arranged by the Israel-Australia Chamber of Commerce, headed by Paul Israel, who has made a point of featuring additional aspects of Israel to give participants a broader sense of what Israel is about.
Ambassador Xiao Junzheng
Chinese ambassadors to Israel tend to keep a low profile and are seldom heard at conferences or other well-attended events, other than when hosting an annual reception for China’s National Day. Current ambassador Xiao Junzheng is the exception to the rule. After hosting a National Day reception in Tel Aviv last week, he will be back in the public eye and ear on Tuesday, February 17 as a participant in the Israel Climate Conference at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Among other speakers will be Prof. Sir Robert Watson, co-chair of the UN Global Environment Outlook 2025.
Deserving of the Israel Prize
Outstanding individuals who are deserving of the Israel Prize sometimes miss out because they are in the “wrong” field or profession. The categories in which the prize is awarded change each year, and someone who may be a natural candidate can miss out because his or her area of achievement is not among the categories available. Fortunately for sculptor Prof. Belu-Simion Fainaru (an interdisciplinary artist and lecturer in the Department of Architecture at the University of Haifa’s School of Design) Design and Interdisciplinary Art is one of the Israel Prize categories for 5785 (2025).
Fainuaru received a phone call from Education Minister Yoav Kisch informing him of the decision, emphasizing the artist’s unique contribution to Israeli and international art. The prize committee, headed by Avner Bar Hama, together with Dr. Nurit Sirkis Bank and Dr. Haim Perlock, noted that “Fainaru has become one of the most prominent artists in Israel who explores Jewish spiritual heritage and the power of the symbol and letter in Jewish mystical culture. Fainaru explores the question of the artist’s role in society and devotes much of his time to initiatives that focus on non-institutional artistic activity, reflecting his conviction that in the 21st century, the artist must go out from the confined studio, be involved in society, and work to change reality through art that seeks to encourage repair and healing.”
IFCJ donates trauma units
Over the past two years, trauma therapies have become top priorities in Israel’s medical circles. Trauma centers have been established in several communities as well as in hospitals. Shaarei Zedek Medical Center this month inaugurated two new operating theaters designated for trauma, made possible by the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), one of the hospital’s foremost strategic partners. The design of the rooms is hybrid, enabling several procedures to be carried out in one place. Containing the most advanced equipment, the rooms were constructed at a cost of NIS 25 million. The inauguration ceremony took place with the participation of Prof. Jonathan HaLevy, president of Shaarei Zedek Medical Center, Prof. Ofer Merin, the hospital’s director-general, IFCJ president Yael Eckstein, and other IFCJ members. The trauma area is located underground and is therefore safe and functioning in times of crisis, which is a most significant issue when treating patients with head injuries.
Defense Minister’s Shield
Soroka Medical Center was presented with the Defense Minister’s Shield by Defense Minister Israel Katz in recognition of its outstanding work in supporting wounded reservists and their families. In making the presentation, Katz was accompanied by Maj.-Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa, head of the IDF’s Personnel Directorate and a reservist officer Brig.-Gen. Benny Ben Bari. The presentation ceremony was held in the presence of senior hospital staff. Katz underscored that over the past two years, Soroka has recognized the value of reservists and their sense of mission and responsibility. Soroka, the closest medical center to the southern battlefield, is usually the first facility to treat the wounded.
Matti Caspi
There will be many memorial events over the coming year and beyond, in tribute to Matti Caspi, who died this week. Next Friday, February 20, at 11 a.m., Yoav Kutner will host a musical tribute to Caspi at the Peres Center. Caspi, a singer, exponent of several musical instruments, composer, and actor, was considered one of Israel’s greatest talents in his field. Kutner is one of the most knowledgeable experts in Israeli pop music and is fully familiar with all of Caspi’s recordings.
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