Ambassador Mitch Fifield meets President Herzog
President Isaac Herzog met Monday at Beit HaNassi in Jerusalem with a delegation of foreign ambassadors to the US and UN visiting Israel this week.
Arrows point to President Herzog [sitting] and Ambassador Mitch Fifield
Australia’s ambassador to U.N. Mitch Fifield is being hosted by Israel’s ambassador Gilad Erdan along with diplomats from Argentina, Bhutan, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Hungary, Kenya, Guatemala, Ukraine, and Tonga.
The visit is being sponsored by The American Zionist Movement.
Deborah Isaac, President of AZM, said: “It is our sincere pleasure to sponsor this diplomatic visit in partnership with Ambassador Erdan. We hope that the participants will come away from the experience with a deeper and more realistic perspective of Israel and the threats it faces, as well as an appreciation for the rich and diverse culture of the State of Israel. The American Zionist Movement looks forward to forging new and lasting friendships with the members of the delegation and their host countries.”
Gilad Erdan, Ambassador of Israel to the United States and the United Nations said, “There is nothing stronger than sight. A visit to Israel reveals the truth and leaves a mark on everyone who comes here. I set a goal for myself to bring to Israel as many ambassadors to the US and UN as possible to strengthen our position in the world and prove Israel’s right to defend itself.”
After speaking about the country’s democracy and various security challenges Israel faces, Herzog asked the ambassadors and their countries to “try and be fair when you judge Israel. Your visit is very important and I hope that after that you will also be able to influence the decisions of the UN and the various governments on these issues.”
Erdan said that the “fruitful dialogue” that the ambassadors had with Herzog is “an important part of their visit to Israel, which exposes them to Israel’s contribution to the world, to our security challenges and to the distorted way in which Israel is presented in the international arena.”
“I am sure that when the ambassadors return to the United Nations and the United States after seeing the truth with their own eyes, they will help and support the struggle to defend Israel’s name in the world,” he said.
The trip is part of Erdan’s information campaign ahead of the start of the 76th UN General Assembly in September, when leaders from around the world will visit the UN headquarters in New York.
Ahead of the delegation, Erdan stated that “there is nothing stronger than sight. A visit to Israel reveals the truth and leaves a mark on everyone who comes here. I set a goal for myself to bring to Israel as many ambassadors to the US and UN as possible to strengthen our position in the world and prove Israel’s right to defend itself.”
Erdan noted that “unfortunately, even in the countries represented on this trip, and of course in the UN, lies are spread against Israel. This was the case during Operation Guardian of the Walls. We will present the truth about Israel to the ambassadors and I am convinced that they will return to their countries and to the UN and Washington with a clearer understanding of Israel’s confrontation with terrorist organizations.”
“We will clarify to them the difference between the terrorists who commit war crimes and the democratic State of Israel that works to defend itself and its citizens,” he added.
The delegation will visit Israel’s Northern and Southern borders and communities, see Hamas and Hezbollah terror tunnels, and receive security briefings. The Ambassadors will also visit historical and religious sites and hi-tech centres and meet with senior Israel government officials. On Tisha B’Av they participated in a special Holocaust Remembrance program at Yad Vashem, arranged by International March of The Living, which is a co-sponsor of the delegation.
With TPS
