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Home , Amir Ohana, Avi Dichter, Benny Begin, David Bitan, Erel Margalit, Hamad Amar

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Visiting Delegations—20th Knesset

Since April 2015, the 20th Knesset has welcomed some 350 visiting delegations from abroad. Below are some highlights of this work, which point to the variety of national and professional backgrounds represented in these delegations.

Visit of the Secretary General of the of Georgia Participants: Dates: 11–12 December 2018 Details: In December 2018, the Secretary General of the visited the Knesset. He was accompanied by a delegation that included the Deputy Secretary General, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous of Adjara, and the Knesset’s contact person in the Parliament of Georgia. During the visit, the delegation was shown various aspects of the Knesset's administrative work: human resources, transparency, information and technology, accessibility, and more.

A meeting with the Board of Oversight and Review of Specially Designated Secrets of the Japanese House of Representatives (the Diet) Participants: MK , chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and Mr. Shmuel Letko, the director of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and MK Dates: 30 July 2018 Details: On July 29 and 30, the Knesset hosted a delegation of the Board of Oversight and Review of Specially Designated Secrets of the Japanese House of Representatives. The delegation came to to learn about the management of confidential information, the regulation of information classification, and the relationship between the executive branch and the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and its subcommittees. As part of the visit, the delegation members met with Opposition Leader MK Livni, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee MK Dichter, and with committee director Shmuel Letko, with whom they discussed the committee's work and information management procedures.

A meeting with Senator Simon Sutour Participants: MK , the chair of the Knesset Delegation for Relations with the European Parliament and MK Elie Elalouf Dates: 26 June 2018 Details: As part of Senator Sutour's visit as rapporteur of the Committee for European Affairs in the French Senate, he met with MKs Elie Elalouf and Revital Swid, who serves as the chair of the Knesset Delegation for Relations with the European Parliament. They discussed current and diplomatic issues, -Israel affairs, and the EU's position on the nuclear agreement with Iran and the need to understand the regional complexity and maintaining Israel's security.

Visit by a delegation of Moroccan Intellectuals Participants: MK (), MK (), MK Elie Elalouf (), MK Yoseph Yonah (Zionist Union), MK (), and MK Hilik Bar (Zionist Union) Dates: 11 June 2018 Details: On 11 June 2018, a meeting was held between Moroccan intellectuals and Israeli MKs. A separate meeting was held with the of the Knesset. The MKs spoke about their family's connections to Morocco, and the parties discussed the richness of the Moroccan heritage and culture in Israel in all the forms in which they gain expression.

Heads of the Foreign Affairs Committees of Various Latin American Participants: Knesset Speaker MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein, chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee MK Avi Dichter, MK Haim Jelin, MK , and MK Merav Ben Ari Dates: 11–14 June 2018 Details: The heads of the foreign affairs committees from various Latin American countries visited Israel. They met with Knesset Speaker MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein. Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee MK Avi Dichter held a briefing at a lookout point in , which was followed by a meeting at the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that was chaired by MK Dichter and attended by MKs Jelin, Haskel and Ben Ari. MK Jelin took them on a tour of the Gaza border towns and explained the challenges Israel faces in that realm.

Visit by a Delegation of Norwegian State-level Politicians Participants: MK (Yesh Atid), chair of the Israel–Norway Parliamentary Friendship Group. Dates: 22 May 2018 Details: On 22 May, a delegation of Norwegian state-level politicians visited the Knesset. They met with Aliza Lavie, chair of the Knesset’s Israel–Norway Parliamentary Friendship Group and discussed various issues, including diplomatic issues on the Israeli agenda and subjects of common interest to both countries.

Visit of Committee on Public Administration, Regional Development and the Environment of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Participants: Chairman of the Internal Affairs and Environment Committee MK , MK , MK , MK , Chairman of the Science and Technology Committee MK Dates: 21–22 May 2018 Details: The Committee on Public Administration, Regional Development and the Environment of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic visited Israel. The delegation was hosted at a dinner by the Chairman of the Internal Affairs and Environment Committee, MK Yoav Kisch, and MK Yael German, and the parties discussed water economy management as well as the latest developments in the . On the following day, the committee visited the Knesset and discussed environment protection and construction regulations in Israel with MKs Yael Cohen Paran and Dov Khenin. Afterwards, the delegation met with the Chairman of Science and Technology Committee, MK Uri Maklev, and discussed issues related to e-Government and the digitization of the public administration.

Visit by Guatemala–Israel Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group Participants: MK Hilik Bar (Zionist Union), Chairs of the Israel–Guatemala Parliamentary Friendship Group MK Yifat Shasha-Biton (Kulanu) and MK Haim Jelin Dates: 16 May 2018 Details: Against the backdrop of the transfer of the Guatemalan Embassy to Jerusalem, the members of the Guatemala–Israel Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group visited the Knesset. The friendship group members gave Deputy Speaker of the Knesset MK Hilik Bar and the chairs of the Israel–Guatemala Parliamentary Friendship Group MKs Yifat Shasha- Biton and Haim Jelin a copy of the Israel Friendship that had been enacted by the Guatemalan Congress of the Republic. The law states that Israel Friendship Day is to be celebrated all over the country, in official institutes, and the education system each year on 14 May. The Knesset Members thanked the guests for the moving gesture: "Guatemala is one of the greatest friends of Israel and the Jewish People," Deputy Speaker of the Knesset MK Hilik Bar said. MKs Shasha-Biton and Jelin addressed the criticism leveled against Israel around the world regarding the Gaza border conflict. The members of the Guatemalan Congress said they had been confronted by questions regarding the transfer of the embassy and the support of Israel in light of recent events. "We would not be sitting here with you without my son, who is a soldier, and his friends who are combat soldiers, who defend Israel's border with their bodies, holding back tens of thousands of rioters," MK Shasha-Biton said. MK Jelin, a resident of the Gaza border communities, described the tense atmosphere in the region and said the military was not using excessive force. The chairman of the Guatemalan delegation, Juan Manuel Diaz- Duran, said: "We love Israel, we believe in it, and are moved together with it. This is a historic day."

Visit by Delegation of the Welfare and Social Protection Committee of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania Participants: Knesset Speaker MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein, MK Yoseph Yonah, chair of the Israel–Romania Parliamentary Friendship Group Dates: 7 May 2018 Details: From May 7 to 10 May the Welfare and Social Protection Committee of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania visited Israel as a guest of the Knesset Labor, Welfare and Health Committee. During this visit, a joint discussion was held, which revolved around issues that are the core of these committees (Foster Care Law – 2, Disability benefits – 3, and the Geriatric nursing reform).Many Knesset members attended the discussion, and they emphasized the importance of inter-parliamentary meetings as a means of mutually sharing knowledge and experience. Members of the delegation also conducted a work tour in the south, in the welfare and rehabilitation settings of young people and youth accompanied by the committee chairman and various committee members.

Visit by France-Israel Friendship Group of the French Senate Participants: Knesset Speaker MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein, chair of the Israel–France Friendship Group MK Elie Elalouf, MK Eyal Ben Reuven, MK Amir Ohana, MK Sharren Haskel, MK Joumah Azbarga Dates: 2 May 2018 Details: A delegation of five senators from the France-Israel Friendship Group in the French Senate headed by Deputy Senate President Philippe Dallier visited the Knesset. The delegation met with the Speaker of the Knesset in advance of his trip to France two weeks thereafter, received a political-security briefing from MK Eyal Ben-Reuven highlighting the effects of the growing Iranian presence in , and attended a luncheon that included an in-depth discussion of future Israeli–French relations that was hosted by MK Elie Elalouf and other MKs from the friendship group.

Visit by a Delegation of the Speakers of US State Participants: Knesset Speaker MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein Dates: 30 April 2018 Details: About 15 senior state-level legislators from across the United States visited the Knesset under the auspices of the America–Israel Friendship League. The delegation was received at the Knesset by the Speaker on the day of the Summer Assembly. The Speaker emphasized the importance of the ties between Israel and the US and, in particular, the importance of bipartisan support for Israel in the United States; he also answered the delegation's questions about what could be expected in the upcoming Knesset term.

Visit by the Director of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee of the Korean , Mr. Lee Jong-ho Participants: Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee director Mr. Shmuel Letko Dates: 19 March 2018 Details: A meeting was held on 19 March between the Director of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Mr. Shmuel Letko, and his counterpart from the National Assembly of Korea, Mr. Lee Jong-ho. They discussed the structure of the committee, the composition of the subcommittees, the activities of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee regarding legislation and the oversight of government work and security organizations in Israel, the similarities and differences between the committees' activities, and the division of responsibilities and tasks of the parliaments.

Visit to Israel by the Makuya Movement Participants: MK Amir Ohana and MK Merav Ben Ari Dates: 12 March 2018 Details: On 12 March, members of the Makuya Movement visited the Knesset. Makuya (in Japanese, literally "Holy Tabernacle" or "dwelling place") is a Japanese religious movement founded in 1948 by Ikurō Teshima. One of its key principles is support for the people of Israel and the State of Israel. Movement members usually make pilgrimages to Israel and send representatives to Israeli events. As part of the 70th anniversary of Israel's independence, a delegation of the Makuya movement visited the Knesset and met with Knesset Members Ohana and Ben Ari. The meeting included greetings and thanks to the movement members for their support and love for Israel and the Jewish people, and for being ambassadors to the State of Israel in Japan.

Delegation of Legislators from Participants: MK Dates: 12 March 2018 Details: Ten members of the New Jersey visited Israel in a delegation organized and accompanied by the Jewish of Greater MetroWest New Jersey. At the Knesset, the delegation met with MK Nachman Shai who introduced himself, his party's views, the main issues that occupied the Knesset in the previous months, and the main disputes between the Government and opposition in the political arena.

Delegation of Rectors from Latin America Participants: MK Haim Jelin and MK Yakov Margi Dates: 6 March 2018 Details: For the second year in a row, the Knesset in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a delegation of 20 rectors from various Latin American countries for a series of Knesset meetings. MK Haim Jelin met with members of the delegation and told them about the complexities of the reality in our region, including the sensitive situation in the Gaza border communities and the lives of the residents there. Later, the rectors met with MK Yakov Margi, the chairman of the Knesset Education, Culture and Sports Committee, who told them about the committee's activities and the education system in Israel.

Visit of Adonis Georgiadis, Vice President of New Democracy, the Liberal-conservative Political Party in Greece Participants: MK Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin, MK , and MK Avi Dichter Dates: 5 March 2018 Details: As part of the efforts to promote the Knesset's inter-parliamentary relations with the , MK Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin met with the vice-president of the Hellenic Parliament's conservative party, Adonis Georgiadis. In the meeting, the two discussed MK Nahmias- Verbin's Greek roots, and especially the Holocaust in , which nearly wiped out the region's Jewish population during World War II. In the conversation, the two talked openly about the antisemitic statements that had been previously attributed to Georgiadis and the need to strongly combat hatred and antisemitism. With MK Berko, the two discussed incitement and the political situation and the peace process with the ; MP Georgiadis stated that the Greek public was largely uninformed on these issues.

Meeting of the Dutch Ambassador with the Speaker of the Knesset Participants: Knesset Speaker Yuli Yoel Edelstein Dates: 27 February 2018 Details: The Ambassador of the Netherlands held a courtesy meeting with the Speaker of the Knesset to mark the halfway point of his term in Israel. The Knesset Speaker thanked the ambassador for the actions his country and the embassy were taking to improve the Palestinians' humanitarian and economic situation, which are coordinated with the Israeli defense establishment. The ambassador spoke with the Knesset Speaker about the concerns of the churches in Jerusalem about possible taxation and legislative measures that may affect them. The two discussed ways to strengthen parliamentary cooperation between Israel and the Netherlands.

Delegation of Parliamentary Assistants of the Ruling French LREM Party Participants: Chair of the Israel–France Parliamentary Friendship Group MK Elie Elalouf, MK Yoseph Yonah Dates: 27 February 2018 Details: A delegation of ten parliamentary assistants to members of the French National Assembly and the Senate from President Macron's LREM party held a one-week introductory visit to Israel, during which it also visited the Knesset. The purpose of the visit was to expose the advisors to the new French leadership to current events in the and to Israel's positions. The delegation met in the Knesset with the chair of the Israel–France Friendship Group, MK Elie Elalouf, who discussed the Knesset's socio-economic activity and Israeli–French relations; it also met with MK Yoseph Yonah who presented the Left's positions on political and economic issues.

Delegation from the British Conservative Party—Conservative Friends of Israel Participants: MK Yehiel Hilik Bar and MK Dates: 14 February 2018 Details: Members of the Conservative Friends of Israel came to a series of meetings in the Knesset. The MPs spoke to MK Yehiel Hilik Bar, chair of the Israeli- Parliamentary Friendship Group, who spoke to the guests about the positive relationship with the UK and the Knesset's desire to strengthen parliamentary cooperation. The delegation then met with MK Avraham Neguise, chairman of the Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs, who told them about the committee's work and his personal story as an immigrant from Ethiopia in the early 1980s.

Visit by the President of the National Assembly of Serbia Participants: Knesset Speaker Yuli Yoel Edelstein, MK , MK , Knesset Director General Albert Sakharovich and Knesset Secretary Yardena Meller-Horovitz Dates: 14 February 2018 Details: On 14 February, Ms. Maja Gojković, President of the National Assembly of Serbia, visited the Knesset as an official guest of the Speaker of the Knesset. She was accompanied by her deputy, Vladimir Marinković, chairman of the Serbia–Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group. The visit took place in light of the positive and developing relationship between Israel and Serbia and the increase in cooperation between the countries, which focuses on trade, mutual investment, Israeli cultural events in Serbia, and tourism (especially of in Serbia). The parties expressed their mutual interest in cooperating through the respective friendship groups to deepen the ties between the parliaments so that they continue serving as main players in the relationships between the countries. The guest was shown Knesset activities in areas such as small businesses, ethnic minorities, child rights, and gender equality—a subject she addresses in her work. The guest also met with the Speaker of the Knesset, the Director General of the Knesset, the Secretary General of the Knesset, and MK Oded Forer, Chairman of the Friendship Group and MK Amar, who is a member of the friendship group.

Visit of Armenia–Israel Friendship Group Participants: Knesset Speaker Yuli Yoel Edelstein, MK , MK Yoseph Yonah, MK , MK , MK , Knesset Director General Mr. Albert Sakharovich, and ministers and Ze'ev Elkin Dates: 11–15 February 2018 Details: Representatives of the Parliamentary Friendship Group chaired by MP Gagik Minasyan held a working visit to Israel. At the Knesset, the delegation members met with Knesset Speaker Yuli Yoel Edelstein, MK Tali Ploskov (chair of the Israel–Armenia Friendship Group), the Director General of the Knesset, and members of the Friendship Group—MKs Yoseph Yonah, David Bitan, and Yoel Hasson. The delegation also met with MK Yair Lapid in preparation for his on recognition of the Armenian genocide (which was ultimately defeated). They also met with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as with ministers Tzachi Hanegbi and Zeev Elkin. The delegation met with representatives of the Israel Export Institute, the Israel Innovation Authority, and the Israel–Armenia Chamber of Commerce on possible economic cooperation.

Visit by Belgium–Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group Participants: Israel–Belgium Parliamentary Friendship Group chair MK , MK Ze`ev Binyamin Begin, MK Yaakov Perry, MK Karin Elharrar Dates: 6 February 2018 Details: The Belgium–Israel Friendship Group in the Belgian Federal Parliament held its first official visit during the current Knesset term. The group met with the chair of the corresponding group in the Knesset, MK Nurit Koren, and agreed on continued cooperation and the establishment of mechanisms for regular dialogue between the two groups on issues of common interest. The delegation spoke to MK Ze`ev Binyamin Begin about Israel's Counter Terrorism Law and sought his opinion on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. In addition, the delegation attended a luncheon as part of the annual Knesset Ambassadors Conference, and they were joined by MKs Yaakov Perry and Karin Elharrar.

Visit by NATO Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy Participants: MK Omer Barlev, head of the Knesset Delegation to NATO Parliamentary Assembly, MK Amir Ohana. Dates: 29 January 2018 Details: NATO Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy Alejandro Alvargonzález conducted an official to Israel and met with members of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee MK Omer Barlev (who also chairs the Knesset Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly) and MK Amir Ohana. The three discussed strategic security issues, such as Russia and its influence in the Middle East, China's increasing power, the policy of President Trump's administration, the war in Syria, and Iran's regional operations.

Visit by the Quartet Representative in Israel Participants: Knesset Speaker MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein Dates: 16 January 2018 Details: The Head of the Quartet Mission in Israel, John N. Clarke of Canada, visited the Knesset and met with Speaker MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein. The two discussed the Quartet's efforts to promote the building of institutions for a Palestinian state, economic cooperation between Israel and the Palestinians, and the rehabilitation of Gaza. The Knesset Speaker emphasized his support for these projects and the desire shared by most MKs to take part in the cooperation with the region's countries.

Visit by Gabriela Michetti, President of the Argentine Senate and Vice President of Argentina Participants: Knesset Speaker MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein, MK Haim Jelin, MK , and MK Shuli Moalem-Refaeli Dates: 10 January 2018 Details: On 10 January 2018, Gabriela Michetti, the President of the Argentine Senate and the Vice President of Argentina, visited the Knesset. She was welcomed in an official ceremony by Knesset Speaker MK Yoel Edelstein and his entourage. A working meeting was then held between the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the Knesset, which covered possible parliamentary collaborations between the Knesset and the Senate. The Speaker thanked Michetti for the Senate's approval of a memorial day for those killed in the bombings of the Israeli embassy and the Jewish community building in Buenos Aires. The law passed just weeks before her visit and will be marked in March each year. Another work meeting was held with the chair of the Israel–Argentina Friendship Group, MK Haim Jelin, as well as MKs Stav Shaffir and Shuli Moalem- Refaeli. The discussion focused on several issues, among them the security and peace and the situation in the Gaza border communities, the empowerment of women, economics, transparency, and housing.

Visit by US State Treasurers Participants: MK Nachman Shai Dates: 3 January 2018 Details: A delegation of nine US state treasurers visited the Knesset and met with MK Nachman Shai. MK Shai emphasized the importance of economic ties between Israel and the United States and thanked the treasury ministers whose states had already passed legislation against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS). In addition, he told the delegation about the Israeli system of government and how the Knesset operates.

Delegation of Staffers from the European Parliament (political advisors and assistants) Participants: MK Yaakov Perry Dates: 19 December 2017 Details: MK Perry welcomed the delegation of MEPs' staff members and noted the importance of their visit to Israel. The delegation was comprised of twelve staffers to members of the European Parliament (MEPs’ assistants), political advisers from the factions, and representatives of the core secretariat who represent the administrative and professional staff of the European Union. The visitors serve as professional advisors in their field to MEPs, and sometimes, they help in decision-making and faction policy. The meeting opened with President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the Israel's capital, and the parties discussed how they view this issue and how MK Perry views future events. MK Perry delivered a regional review of security threats from Syria to ISIS and summarized the state of Israel–EU relations, as part of his mission as head of relations with the European Parliament delegation.

Visit of the Cooperation Group of the Russian Federation Council Participants: Knesset Speaker MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein, Chair of the Israel–Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group MK Dates: 18–19 December 2017 Details: A delegation from the Cooperation Group of the Russian Federation Council, headed by the Chairman, Senator Goldstein, visited Israel from 17–20 December. During the visit, the guests met with Speaker of the Knesset; the Chair of the Israel–Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group, MK Robert Ilatov; and other senior figures. The talks focused on the warming relations between the countries and on strengthening the ties between the respective parliaments based on a “road map” for cooperation between the friendship groups, which was agreed on in early 2017.

Delegation of Members of the Committee of the Armed Services of the United States Senate on Cyber Participants: Chair of the Knesset Cyber Defense Subcommittee MK Anat Berko, Chair of the Knesset Science and Technology Committee MK Uri Maklev Dates: 06 December 2017 Details: Visit details: A delegation of members of the US Senate Armed Services Committee, both Republican and Democrats, visited the Knesset for talks on matters related to cyber. MKs Berko and Maklev, who are in charge of addressing cyber in the Knesset—each from a different angle—reviewed the main challenges in the realm: the absence of direct legislation relevant to the world of cyber, the lack of public awareness regarding the extent of the threat, and the power of companies opposing regulation. The delegation expressed its admiration for the way Israel addresses the subject and stated that the US has a lot to learn from Israel in the field. In addition, the Knesset Members expressed their wishes for a speedy recovery to the committee's chair, Sen. John McCain, who is fighting cancer.

Meeting of the Knesset Speaker with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Participants: Knesset Speaker MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein Dates: 27 November 2017 Details: The Knesset Speaker met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin during the latter’s visit in Israel. During the meeting, they discussed the close ties between the countries, implementation of the pensions agreement concluded during the visit of Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman in Israel (May 2017), the rising antisemitism in Ukraine, and subjects of common interest.

Visit of the Vice-President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Senator Ms. Miluše Horská Participants: Deputy Knesset Speaker Meir Cohen; Head of the Israel–Czech Republic Parliamentary Friendship Group, MK Aliza Lavie; Chair of the Science and Technology Committee MK Uri Maklev; MK Yoseph Yonah, and MK Nachman Shai Dates: 21 November 2017 Details: The First Vice-President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Senator Miluše Horská visited the Knesset along with a delegation from the Senate's Education Committee. The professional meetings in the Knesset focused mainly on subjects relating to education and science. MK Yonah briefed the guest on the achievements and challenges of the education system in Israel, and MK Maklev briefed her on the effort in the Israeli education system to achieve scientific excellence at schools and institutions of higher education. The guest was also received by Deputy Knesset Speaker Meir Cohen in a meeting that focused on the importance of preserving the excellent historic ties between the countries and on our appreciation for the Czech Republic’s support for Israel. Lastly, the delegation was invited for lunch with the Chair of the Friendship Group, MK Aliza Lavie, and group member, MK Nachman Shai.

Visit of Senator Kamala Harris Participants: Opposition Leader MK , MK Tzipi Livni, MK Yair Lapid Dates: 20 November 2017 Details: Senator Kamala Harris of California, considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, held a first meeting in Israel as a senator. In the meeting in the Knesset, she met with leaders of the opposition, and discussed the Two-State Solution, the chances for introducing a new initiative for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, and US–Israel ties, especially regarding cyber and water issues and the international political crisis.

Visit of the Speaker of the Swedish Parliament, Urban Ahlin Participants: Knesset Speaker MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein; MK Eyal Ben Reuven, Head of the Israel–Sweden Parliamentary Friendship Group; MK ; and MK Dates: 15 November 2017 Details: Visit details: The Speaker of the Swedish Parliament, Urban Ahlin, visited the Knesset on 15 November as part of an official visit. Mr Ahlin had a meeting with Knesset Speaker MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein and also met with MK Ben Reuven, Head of the Israel–Sweden Parliamentary Friendship Group. In the meeting, they discussed areas for cooperation between the parliaments through cooperation between the friendship groups. He also met MKs Ksenia Svetlova and Michal Rozin, who discussed the immigration challenges in Israel, including the absorption of immigrants from different cultures, and ensuring that they receive education, housing, and employment.

Visit of Bulgarian Parliamentary Delegation Participants: MK Sharren Haskel, MK , and MK Eytan Broshi Dates: 13 November 2017 Details: A group of young parliamentarians from Bulgaria representing the full political spectrum. The most senior member of the delegation was Dzhema Grozdanova, Chairperson of the Foreign Policy Committee to the National Assembly. In the meeting with Sharren Haskel, the delegation’s members discussed various regional and security matters, Hungarian immigration policy and Bulgaria’s relentless fight against antisemitism. With Mickey Levy, the sides discussed the ongoing struggle against global terror and sharing Israeli knowledge and experience as part of the countries' joint view of this matter. MK Eytan Broshi welcomed the delegation. He related that he grew up hearing the stories of the heroism by which Bulgarian were saved. Later, he reiterated that he hopes to promote an effective initiative between the parliaments that will benefit both countries.

Visit of Missouri Governor Eric Greitens Participants: Knesset Speaker Dates: 08 November 2017 Details: The Governor of Missouri, Republican Eric Greitens, visited the Knesset. The governor is considered a talented young man with a promising future at the state and federal level. His meeting with the Knesset Speaker focused on the importance of the ties between the two countries and peoples, efforts against the BDS movement, and ways to promote economic cooperation between Israel and Missouri.

Meeting between the Prime Minister of Moldova and MK Tali Ploskov Participants: MK Tali Ploskov, Chair of the Israel–Moldova Parliamentary Friendship Group Dates: 08 November 2017 Details: During the visit of the Moldovan prime minister in Israel, he met with MK Tali Ploskov who serves as Chair of the Israel-Moldova Parliamentary Friendship Group. In the meeting, they discussed the events that were held to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties and renewing the activity of the Joint Economic Committee for cooperation between the countries. They also discussed issues linked to the approximately 15,000 Moldavian migrant workers working in Israel in construction and nursing.

Meeting between a Delegation from the Montenegro Foreign Ministry and the Knesset Education Committee Participants: MK Hamad Amar, Chair of the Israel–Montenegro Friendship Group Dates: 08 November 2017 Details: During a discussion on the subject of integrating persons with special needs in cultural activities, the film “Special People in Macedonia” was screened in the Education Committee. The film is about young Israelis with special needs who visited Macedonia. The screening was attended by Montenegro foreign ministry representatives as well as Montenegro’s ambassador, who appeared in the film and hosted the youths at her home during the visit. When the film ended, the delegation met MK Hamad Amar, Chair of the Israel–Montenegro Friendship Group.

Visit of Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, István Hiller Participants: Deputy Knesset Speaker MK Meir Cohen, Chair of the Israel–Hungary Parliamentary Friendship Group MK Israel Eichler, Friendship Group member MK Anat Berko, and the Education Committee chaired by MK Yakov Margi Dates: 07 November 2017 Details: The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, former minister of culture, minister of education and head of the European Task Force for Perpetuating the Memory of the Holocaust came for an official visit to the Knesset accompanied by National Assembly Member János Fónagy, who heads the Hungarian–Israeli Friendship Society. During the visit, he was received by his counterpart, Deputy Knesset Speaker MK Meir Cohen, he held a working meeting with the Committee for Education, Culture and Sport, and had a meeting (including lunch) with the Israel–Hungary Parliamentary Friendship Group, headed by MK Israel Eichler. The meetings focused primarily on the issue of the rising antisemitism in Hungary and ways of combating it through cooperation, education, legislation and enforcement. In addition, in all the meetings, Hiller mentioned the European Maccabiah, which is scheduled to take place in Budapest in 2019, as an opportunity for increasing the cultural cooperation between the countries and for holding a flagship event honoring the tradition of the Jewish community in Hungary.

Conference Marking the Centenary of the Participants: Knesset Speaker MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein; MK Yehiel Hilik Bar and MK Yoav Kisch, Chairs of the Israel–UK Friendship Group Dates: 07 November 2017 Details: Lord Stewart Pollack of the Conservative Party, and the head of the Labour Friends of Israel, MP Joan Ryan, visited the Knesset as part of the events marking the centenary of the Balfour Declaration in a special conference held on 7 November. The guests participated in a special discussion in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and in a panel on Israel–UK ties.

Philippine Delegation in the Knesset Participants: MK Merav Ben Ari Dates: 06 November 2017 Details: Visit details: The meeting took place as part of the program of visiting delegations to the Knesset, and the request to hold the meeting was conveyed through the Foreign Ministry. The delegation stayed in Israel for several days, and it was the first time any of the delegation members had visited Israel. The delegation sought mainly to learn about the in Israel and about existing mechanisms as part of the reform in this areas being promoted in the Philippines. The delegation was headed by Justice Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr., Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, who was accompanied by several Congress members, the Philippine Ambassador to Israel and his deputy (a new diplomat who had come to Israel about a month previously). The delegation’s members met with MK Merav Ben Ari. In this successful meeting a request, which was received positively, was made to advance the establishment of a parliamentary friendship group in the Philippines. In addition, the discussion covered issues addressed by MK Ben Ari (who visited the Philippines privately about four years ago and discussed her experiences), in her parliamentary, factional, and public work (the housing crisis, the cost of living, and reducing Israeli socio-economic gaps). MK Ben Ari also noted that this year, the two countries mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, a fitting time to promote bilateral parliamentary ties. To wind up the meeting, Member of Congress Cari expressed his appreciation for the Israeli aid during Typhoon Haiyan (known in the Philippines as Typhoon Yolanda) that hit the Philippines in 2013. MK Ben Ari replied that she is proud of the fact that Israeli provided the aid and that Israel extends help to any country needing aid of this kind (in this context, she noted the Israeli aid provided recently after the earthquake in Mexico).

Visit of Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian Participants: Knesset Speaker MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein; MK Tali Ploskov, Chair of the Israel–Armenia Friendship Group Dates: 06 November 2017 Details: As part of the official visit of the Armenian foreign minister and his delegation, meetings were held with the Knesset Speaker and MK Tali Ploskov, who serves as Chair of the Israel–Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group. The Knesset Speaker thanked the guest for the warm reception extended to the Knesset delegation that visited Armenia in September 2017 and for the open and honest discussions. It was decided to deepen the ties between the parliaments, and ways were discussed to strengthen the bilateral economic ties, which are far from realizing their full potential.

Delegation from the French National Assembly Participants: Head of the Israel–France Parliamentary Friendship Group MK Elie Elalouf, MK , MK Sharren Haskel and MK Ayelet Nahmias- Verbin Dates: 30 October 2017 Details: Two members of the French National Assembly from President Macron’s party, Aurore Bergé and Sylvain Maillard, visited the Knesset. This was the first visit of members of the French National Assembly to the Knesset since the most recent French general elections. During their visit, they met with MKs Elalouf, Folkman, Haskel, and Nahmias-Verbin. They were briefed on the spectrum of positions in the Knesset on the Israeli– Palestinian conflict and discussed subjects for parliamentary cooperation, including immigrant absorption and welfare issues.

Meeting and dinner with Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu Participants: Head of the Israel–Romania Friendship Group, MK Yoseph Yonah Dates: 23 October 2017 Details: Romanian Foreign Minister, Mr. Melescanu conducted an official visit to Israel during which he met Prime Minister . Among the meetings the foreign minister conducted was one with the Chair of the Israel–Romania Friendship Group, MK Yoseph Yonah, which took place after the latter had visited Romania accompanied by a delegation from the Parliamentary Friendship Group. In the meeting, Yonah expressed his appreciation for Romania’s activity relating to perpetuating the memory of the Holocaust and noted his participation in the national memorial ceremony for Holocaust victims in Bucharest on 9 May. He said that a spirit of good will prevailed throughout the visit and was evident in every part of it. He also stated that that the countries have common values, and the parties discussed the Romania expatriate community which has made a considerable contribution to building the State of Israel. MK Yonah also remarked that he is proud to head the friendship group. He also thanked President of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies Dragnea for the legislation passed recently to grant rights to Romanian expatriate Holocaust survivors. Foreign Minister Melescanu said that practical inter-parliamentary cooperation gives legitimacy to government activities and that joint work and keeping in touch with colleagues create a positive atmosphere. It has been 70 years since Israel was established and 70 years since the establishment of ties, and he expressed his hope that he might be appointed ambassador to Israel in the near future.

Visit of the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Participants: Knesset Speaker MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein and MK Michal Rozin, Chair of the Israel–Lithuania Friendship Group Dates: 04 September 2017 Details: The Lithuanian foreign minister visited the Knesset and met with Knesset Speaker MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein and MK Michal Rozin, Chair of the Israel– Lithuania Friendship Group. The visit was conducted to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the countries.

Visit of the Head of the Canada–Israel Friendship Group in the Canadian House of Commons, MP Michael Levitt Participants: MK Yoel Hasson Dates: 27 July 2017 Details: The Head of the Canada–Israel Friendship Group in the Canadian House of Commons, MP Michael Levitt, visited Israel as part of the delegation of the Minister of Public Safety. He decided to arrive before the minister in order to conduct parliamentary meetings and was invited for lunch with MK Yoel Hasson, Co-Chair of the Israel–Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Knesset. During lunch, the two discussed the political situation in Israel and in Canada and ways for improving the ties between the friendship groups.

Visit of Swedish MP Robert Hanah Participants: Chair of the Israel–Sweden Parliamentary Friendship Group, MK Eyal Ben- Reuven, and MKs Amir Ohana and Merav Ben-Ari. Dates: 25 July 2017 Details: Visit details: Swedish MP Robert Hanah came to Israel for a series of meetings with MKs, in order to become better acquainted with the Israeli system. In the various meetings he had in the Knesset, the MP talked with the Chair of the Israel–Sweden Parliamentary Friendship Group, MK Eyal Ben-Reuven, and MKs Amir Ohana and Merav Ben-Ari.

Visit of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) Bureau in Israel Participants: Knesset Speaker, Head of the Knesset Delegation to PAM MK Amir Peretz Dates: 19 July 2017 Details: On 19 July, a PAM delegation visited Israel, headed by PAM President Pedro Roque of Portugal and PAM Secretary General Sergio Piazzi of Italy. The delegation comprised some 15 MPs from Turkey, Romania, Cyprus, Monaco and Italy. The delegation met with the Knesset Speaker and discussed the tension on and possibilities for regional cooperation. Additionally, an official dinner took place hosted by the Head of the Knesset delegation to PAM, MK Amir Peretz.

Visit of the Romanian Parliament Speaker Participants: Knesset Speaker, Chair of the Israel–Romania Friendship Group MK Yoseph Yonah, MK Avi Dichter Dates: 12 July 2017 Details: An official visit of Liviu Dragnea, President of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies. As part of the visit, an official reception was conducted in the Knesset courtyard. Afterwards, a work meeting was conducted in the Knesset Speaker’s office together with MK Yossi Yonah, Chair of the Israel–Romania Parliamentary Friendship Group. During the meeting, the Knesset Speaker said that the ties between Romania and Israel are excellent and noted that friendship groups were established in the Chamber of Deputies and the Knesset some time ago. Moreover, he said that an arrangement for parliament-to-parliament (P2P) sessions will be established and that a visit of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee will take place soon. The Knesset Speaker thanked Romania for the optimum management of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, and stated that he is confident that the ties between the countries will reach new and greater heights. Dragnea stated that it was a great honor to visit the Knesset and that he was touched by the warm reception. He remarked that the long-standing friendship between the counties is manifested in many realms (economic, defense, and strategic). Following this meeting, a meeting was held between Dragnea and MK Avi Dichter (Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee) which addressed political and regional issues, Iran and Russian intervention in the region, and the ongoing struggle against terrorism in Israel. The meeting was conducted in a friendly atmosphere and was successful. To conclude, a P2P meeting was conducted between several MKs and MPs.

Visit of Deputy Chinese Parliament Speaker Pingcuo Xiangba Participants: Knesset Speaker, MK Yoel Hasson, MK Sharren Haskel, MK Elie Elalouf, MK Michal Rozin, MK Yaakov Perry Dates: 11 July 2017 Details: The visit was conducted as part of the strengthening of the ties between China and Israel and in direct continuation to the reciprocal visits of the Knesset Speaker to China and the Speaker of the Chinese Parliament to Israel, during which a memorandum of understanding was signed between the parliaments. The delegation’s members were received by Deputy Knesset Speaker MK Yoel Hasson and by MK Sharren Haskel. Later, they held a series of meetings with MKs Rozin, Elalouf, and Perry. It was decided to continue maintaining regular ties and institutionalizing the parliamentary cooperation, as per the memorandum of understanding concluded between the parliaments.

Visit of Parliamentary Delegation from Japan Participants: MK Amir Ohana, MK Meirav Ben-Ari, MK Esawi Frej Dates: 11 July 2017 Details: As part of the ties between the Knesset and Diet (the Japanese Parliament) the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs Department hosted a delegation of young members of the Japanese Parliament from the various parties, both coalition and opposition. The Japanese Parliament boasts a large Japan–Israel Friendship Society, and issues of possible cooperation between the parliaments were discussed during the meeting. MKs Merav Ben Ari, Amir Ohana, and Esawi Frej met with the delegation’s members and discussed personal and professional experiences regarding visits to Japan.

Canadian Parliamentary Delegation from CIJA Participants: MK Amir Ohana, MK Meirav Ben-Ari, MK Esawi Frej Dates: 11 July 2017 Details: Visit details: A seven-member delegation from the Canadian House of Commons visited the Knesset on behalf of CIJA (Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs), which engages in enhancing Israel–Canada ties. The delegation met with the chairs of the Parliamentary Friendship Group, MKs Yoel Hasson and Anat Berko, to discuss Israel–Canada ties and Canada’s role in the Middle East peace process. MK Haskel, who was born in Canada, told the delegation about herself and the legislative process in the Knesset

Visit of Paolo Alli, President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Participants: Knesset Speaker, Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee MK Avi Dichter, MK Ze'ev Binyamin Begin, Head of the Knesset delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly MK Omer Bar-Lev Dates: 10 July 2017 Details: The President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Italian MP Paolo Alli, visited the Knesset where he held a series of meetings. The Knesset Speaker thanked him for the positive attitude towards Israel in the Parliamentary Assembly and stated his willingness to enhance the cooperation, especially in the realms of cyber, counter-terrorism and coping with emergencies. MK Begin briefed him on the subject of Israel's counter-terrorism law. A meeting was held with MKs Dichter and Bar-Lev on regional security, Russian involvement in the Middle East, and the security threats facing Israel.

Delegation of Assistants to Members of the US Congress Participants: MK Sharren Haskel Dates: 03 July 2017 Details: A delegation of assistants to Members of the US Congress visited the Knesset. The assistants constitute an important professional backbone that prepares legislation in areas of politics and defense relevant to Israel. The delegation toured the Knesset and met with MK Sharren Haskel who explained her political outlook and her positions on various issues, and she even addressed subjects regarding the crisis with US Jewry.

Professional seminar for Parliamentary Staff Participants: Dates: 11 June 2017 – 15 June 2017 Details: The professional seminar was held in the Knesset for 11 employees from six national parliaments (the UK, Germany, Georgia, Romania, and Albania), organized by the Knesset Foreign Affairs Department. It presented participants—parliamentary employees from various legislatures—with the work of the Knesset and work methods, including the committees, the legislative process, and the structure of the Knesset and its various departments. In parallel, the guests shared the procedures in their respective parliaments with their Knesset counterparts. Knesset Director General Albert Sakharovich said, “The seminar will provide a basis for professional cooperation and information exchange between the Knesset and the participant parliaments. This is the first time that the Knesset, its apparatus, and its staff have shared knowledge with such a large number of parliament employees worldwide, but by no means will this be the last.”

Visit of Chairman of the Slovenian National Assembly Participants: Knesset Speaker, Head of the Israel–Slovenia Friendship Group MK , MK Ze'ev Binyamin Begin, MK Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin Dates: 07 June 2017 Details: The Speaker of the Slovenian Parliament came on an official visit to the Knesset on 7 June. He was received in an official ceremony, met with the Knesset Speaker and with the Israel–Slovenia Friendship Group, and attended a luncheon with the Knesset Speaker. The meeting addressed ways to strengthen parliamentary ties between the countries, and the Slovenian speaker tried to understand the variety of opinions in the Knesset regarding the peace process and the Two-State Solution (in view of possible future voting in the Slovenian parliament on recognizing a Palestinian state).

Delegation of State Attorneys-General from the US Participants: MK Revital Swid Dates: 29 May 2017 Details: A delegation of seven attorneys-general of U.S. states visited the Knesset and met with MK Revital Swid. MK Swid explained the workings of the Knesset to the delegation, the work of the , Law and Justice Committee, and the system of checks and balances between the various branches in Israeli democracy.

Delegation of Republican Members of Congress from the US Participants: Speaker of the Knesset Dates: 29 May 2017 Details: A delegation of four Republican Members of Congress, headed by the Chairperson of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, visited the Knesset and met with the Speaker of the Knesset. They discussed the ramifications of the visit to Israel by US President Trump, strengthening Israel–US ties, and the incitement to terrorism in the Palestinian Authority.

Delegation of Latvian Foreign Affairs Committee Participants: Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee MK Avi Dichter, Chair of the Israel–Latvia Friendship Group MK Ksenia Svetlova, MK Amir Ohana, MK Anat Berko, and MK Avraham Neguise Dates: 22 May 2017 Details: Visit details: The Chairs of the Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Committees of the Latvian Parliament (the ) and other Latvian MPs arrived for a series of meetings. This year marks 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The meetings included a discussion headed by Chair of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Avi Dichter, with the participation of the Chair of the Israel–Latvia Friendship Group, MK Ksenia Svetlova, and MK Amir Ohana. The delegation also met with MKs Anat Berko and Avraham Neguise and discussed defense, the political situation in the Middle East, and immigration and diaspora issues.

Visit of the Secretary General of the Korean National Assembly Participants: Knesset Secretary General Dates: 17 May 2017 Details: Knesset Secretary, Yardena Meller-Horovitz, hosted the Secretary General of the South Korean National Assembly, Woo Yoon-keun. Meller Horowitz explained to her guest about the in Israel and how the Knesset works. In view of his interest in the subject, she explained the relationship between the Government Secretariat and the Knesset Secretariat. The guest was especially interested in the advantages and disadvantages of the Israeli governmental system and the electoral system, against the backdrop of the political changes now underway in South Korea. The two agreed to exchange information between the parliaments, possibly by means of reciprocal delegations of parliamentary employees.

Visit of Australian MP and Former Prime Minister Tony Abbot Participants: MK Ze'ev Binyamin Begin, MK Yaakov Perry Dates: 16 May 2017 Details: Visit details: MKs and Yaakov Perry (chair of the Israel– Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group) met with the MP and former Prime Minister from the Australian Liberal Party, Mr. Tony Abbot. The two sides discussed the deep ties between the countries, and the MPs thanked the visitor for his ardent support for Israel as Australian prime minister. Additionally, political issues were discussed, primarily the regional geopolitical situation, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the MKs' political perceptions of the complexity of the conflict and possible solutions.

Delegation of Latin American MPs Participants: Knesset Speaker, Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee MK Avi Dichter, MK Amir Ohana, MK , MK , MK Merav Ben Ari, MK Oded Forer, MK Zouheir Bahloul Dates: 14–18 May 2017 Details: 20 senior MPs—including parliament speakers, committee chairs, and senators from Latin American countries (Argentina, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay)—arrived for a visit that consisted of programs on various subjects that were accompanied by explanations by MKs themselves, both in the Knesset and in the field. During the visit, they toured communities near the Gaza border and visited Kerem Shalom crossing with MK Haim Jelin. The delegation also met Knesset Speaker MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein; together with the Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Avi Dichter, they visited an observation point on the Armon Hanatziv (Government House) promenade and discussed possible cooperation with the Knesset together with MKs Amir Ohana, Michal Biran, Manuel Trajtenberg, Merav Ben Ari, and Oded Forer. On the last day of their visit, they visited Acre and met with MK Zouheir Bahloul, who hosted them in his hometown.

Delegation of Environment and Constitution Committees of the Czech Parliament Participants: Internal Affairs and Environment Committee chaired by MK David Amsalem, MK Dov Khenin Dates: 06 March 2017 Details: A delegation representing the Environment and the Constitution and Legal Affairs Committees of the Czech Chamber of Deputies visited the Knesset. The delegation was led by Robin Böhnisch, Chair of the Environment Committee, who also heads the Czech Republic–Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group and has spearheaded many pro-Israel initiatives in the Czech Republic. The delegation held a joint discussion with the Internal Affairs and Environment Committee on renewable energies and how to finance them, in which each side shared its experiences and challenges in the realm of "green" energy. Later, MK Dov Khenin provided the delegation with an explanation of sustainability at the Knesset, including the effort to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr. Shmuel Chen, head of the Green Knesset initiative, gave the visitors a tour of the project, and they said they would adopt some of its elements in their parliament.

Delegation from the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Participants: MK Yaakov Perry, MK , MK Ze'ev Binyamin Begin, MK Avi Dichter Dates: 27 February–01 March 2017 Details: A 27–member delegation of MPs from various European countries, who are part of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (members of the Assembly's Science and Technology Committee and/or members of the Working Group for Middle East Subjects), arrived for a visit in Israel. In the Knesset, the delegation met with MK Erel Margalit to discuss hi-tech, innovation, cyber, and regional cooperation. With MK Benny Begin, they addressed the role of parliament in counter-terrorism, and with MK Yaakov Perry they talked about the regional situation and cyber in Israel. In the evening, the delegation was invited for an official dinner with MKs. The following day, the delegation was briefed by the Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Avi Dichter, at the Black Arrow monument on the Gaza Strip border.

Delegation of Senior Advisers to Members of the US Congress Participants: MK Yoav Kisch, MK Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin Dates: 20 February 2017 Details: A delegation of senior advisers and senior staffers to members of the US Congress (members of the Intelligence, Foreign Affairs, and Defense committees) visited the Knesset on 20 February and met with MK Yoav Kisch (Likud) and Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin (Zionist Camp). The delegation heard from the MKs about their main activities, their parties' ideological guidelines, and their view of Israel-US relations.

Visit of British Parliament Speaker Participants: Knesset Speaker, Co-chairs of the Israel–UK Parliamentary Friendship Group MK Hilik Bar and MK Yoav Kisch, Opposition Leader MK Isaac Herzog, MK Revital Swid, MK Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin, MK Karin Elharrar, Knesset Director General, Knesset Secretary General, Head of the Human Resources Division Dates: 13–14 February 2017 Details: John Bercow, the Speaker of the British House of Commons, conducted a visit to Israel—the first-ever by a British parliament speaker. During his visit, he met with the Knesset Speaker and learned about various aspects of the Knesset's work, including the legislative process, the Equal Rights for Persons With Disabilities Law, and how this law is implemented in the Knesset. Bercow also participated in the Young Knesset events and made a speech on British parliamentary democracy to a group of students and youths.

Belgian Parliamentary Delegation Participants: Head of the Israel–Belgium Friendship Group MK Nurit Koren, MK Elie Elalouf, MK Mickey Levy, MK Sharren Haskel Dates: 07 February 2017 Details: A 6–member delegation of Belgian MPs who accompanied the Belgian Prime Minister on his visit to Israel met with MKs in the King David Hotel. The discussions revolved around the political and security situation in Israel, primarily regarding the concern the Belgians expressed about the approval of the "" just before their meeting.

Delegation of Italian Parliamentary Friendship Group Participants: Head of the Friendship Group MK Orly Levy Abekasis, MK Yaakov Perry, MK Oded Forer, and MK Anat Berko Dates: 06 February 2017 Details: There were 38 people in the delegation, 29 of them MPs and senators. This was the largest-ever delegation to Israel from Italy; it included three chairpersons of three different committees: finance, foreign affairs and judiciary. It was headed by MP Maurizio Bernardo, the Chair of the Friendship Association and of the Finance Committee. The Italy–Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group is the largest in Europe and numbers 182 members. The discussions with the MKs addressed the good ties between the countries, current affairs, and diplomatic and regional issues. The MKs thanked the delegation for the efforts by the Italian government and official institutions for their determined steps and responses to all occurrences of antisemitism in Italy.

Delegation of Senators from the Philippines Participants: MK Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin Dates: 31 January 2017 Details: A group of governors, mayors and Congress members headed by Senator Cynthia Villar visited the Knesset. The visit was conducted as part of an agricultural development project that the Israeli Embassy in Manila is conducting in conjunction with the Council for Higher Education and in partnership with 29 agricultural colleges called the Philippine–Israel Coalition for Advanced Agro-Technology—Lighthouse Project. The delegation met with MK Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin (Zionist Camp), and they discussed political and regional issues, her longtime activity in Israeli politics, and the work of the Knesset.

Trilateral meeting with Parliament Speakers of Greece and Cyprus Participants: Knesset Speaker, MK Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin, MK Yael Cohen Paran Dates: 26 January 2017 Details: In the first trilateral meeting of its kind, the Knesset hosted the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikolaos Voutsis, and the President of the Cyprus House of Representatives, Demetris Syllouris. The three speakers discussed areas for cooperation such as water accessibility, the fight against hate and antisemitism, youth, and more. Finally, they signed a memorandum of understanding between the parliaments to continue their cooperation.

Visit of the President of the Greek Parliament Participants: Knesset Speaker, Opposition Leader MK Isaac Herzog, Head of the Friendship Group MK Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin, members of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Dates: 25 January 2017 Details: President of the Hellenic Parliament Nikolaos Voutsis conducted an official visit to the Knesset as guest of the Knesset Speaker. He also met Opposition Leader MK Isaac Herzog and the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. During the visit, Voutsis signed a declaration to fight antisemitism and hate crimes, a declaration already signed by many parliament speakers in Europe.

Canadian Parliamentary Delegation Participants: MK Anat Berko, MK Yoel Hasson, MK Yehiel Hilik Bar Dates: 18 January 2017 Details: Visit details: A delegation of eight MPs from across the Canadian political spectrum, guests of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), visited the Knesset. The delegation met the heads of the Israel–Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group, MKs Anat Berko and Yoel Hasson, as well as Deputy Knesset Speaker MK Yehiel Hilik Bar. The MKs and the guests discussed ways of strengthening the ties between the countries and their positions on regional issues.

Armenian Parliamentary Delegation Participants: Knesset Speaker, Knesset Director General, MK Tali Ploskov, MK David Bitan, MK Eli Cohen, MK Oded Forer, MK Yulia Malinovsky, MK Nava Boker Dates: 18 January 2017 Details: A delegation of Armenian MPs accompanied by representatives of the Armenia–Israel Public Forum for Commercial Cooperation visited the Knesset and held meetings with the Knesset Speaker, Knesset Director General, the Parliamentary Friendship Group, and other MKs.

Visit of the Polish President Participants: Knesset Speaker and MK Yehiel Hilik Bar Dates: 17 January 2017 Details: Visit details: Polish President Andrzej Duda visited the Knesset, laid a wreath at the memorial for Israel’s fallen soldiers, and signed the Knesset Guest Book. In his meeting with Knesset Speaker and the Chair of the Israel–Poland Parliamentary Friendship Group, MK Yehiel Hilik Bar, the president emphasized the strong ties between the countries and called on them to expand the scope of the youth trips to Poland beyond just visits to concentration camps. The Knesset Speaker thanked the president for his visit and expressed his hope that the ties between the parliaments will continue to prosper.

Parliamentary Delegations Marking 25 Years of the Diplomatic Ties with Albania Participants: Knesset Speaker, Knesset CEO, Knesset Secretary, MK Hamad Amar, MK Hilik Bar, MK Yoel Hasson, MK Robert Ilatov Dates: 17 January 2017 Details: Visit details: An Albanian parliamentary delegation headed by Deputy Parliament Speaker (and Head of the Albania-Israel Friendship Society) conducted a special visit to the Knesset to mark 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the countries. During the visit, and photography exhibition was opened in the Knesset called “Albania Then and Now”. The Speaker greeted the delegation in the Knesset plenum, and working meetings were held with the Knesset Speaker, the parliamentary friendship group, Knesset CEO and Knesset staff.

President of the French Senate Participants: Knesset Speaker, Opposition Leader MK Isaac Herzog , MK Revital Swid, MK Elie Elalouf, MK Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin, MK Abdallah Abu Maaruf, MK Karin Elharrar Dates: 04 January 2017 Details: Visit details: The President of the French Senate, Gerard Larcher, visited the Knesset and was received in an official ceremony. The president met the Knesset Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Israel–France Friendship Group. In the meeting with the Knesset Speaker, the Speaker aired his criticism of the French vote in favor of Security Council Resolution 2334. The Opposition Leader explained to the president why one-sided decisions of the international community are damaging to the Israeli peace camp. In a meeting of the Friendship Group, the sides discussed ways of strengthening the ties between the countries, immigration to Israel from France, and antisemitism in France.

Delegation from the British Parliament led by MP John Mann Participants: The Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Committee, Knesset Speaker, MK Yair Lapid, MK Ksenia Svetlova, MK Avraham Neguise, MK Amir Ohana Dates: 04 January 2017 Details: A British parliamentary delegation led by the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group against Antisemitism in the British Parliament, John Mann, arrived for a visit in the Knesset in order to examine ways for cooperating in the fight against antisemitism. During their visit, the MPS participated in a discussion of the Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Committee, chaired by MK Avraham Neguise. He praised the British Government for its decision to adopt the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) definition of antisemitism. In a discussion conducted at the initiative of the Knesset Foreign Affairs Department, MP Mann said that the two parliaments should cooperate in the war on antisemitism and that this effort is common to all the parties and governments in both countries. The delegation met with the Knesset Speaker, MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein, who said that it is very important to continue the efforts to wipe out antisemitism and that he believes that with the right approach, the efforts of the British group will bear fruit.

Minister in the Nepalese Government, Keshav Kumar Budhathoki Participants: MK Tzipi Livni Dates: 03 January 2017 Details: Nepal’s Minister for General Administration, Keshav Kumar Budhathoki, is a senior member of the Nepal Congress Party, whose leader was responsible for establishing the ties with Israel in the 1960s, a time when most Asian states refrained from taking such a step. The minister was appointed to his post last 26 August as part of the expansion of the cabinet. In light of the international ties that his party maintains, the minister asked to meet with a senior member of the Opposition. Among the subjects discussed were agricultural cooperation between Israel and Nepal and advancing the issue of foreign workers, especially in nursing.

Delegation of Heads of US State Legislatures Participants: MK Yoel Hasson, MK Benny Begin Dates: 02 January 2017 Details: A delegation of senior figures from US state legislatures (speakers, majority and minority leaders) visited the Knesset and met with MKs Yoel Hasson and Ze'ev Binyamin Begin. The discussion addressed the political situation in the Middle East and Israel–US relations.

Visit by Delegation from the European Conservatives and Reformists Group of the European Parliament Dates: 5 December 2016 Details: On 5 December 2016, Knesset Members Mickey Levy, Dr. Ze'ev Binyamin Begin, and Deputy Speaker Yehiel Hilik Bar met with members of the Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) of the European Parliament. The ECR delegation was headed by Geoffrey van Orden MEP, and they focused primarily on regional diplomatic issues, the security situation, and negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. MK Levy presented the vision of the regional committee and the need to collaborate with Jordan to address the future challenges in the region. MK Begin noted that he believes that more European members of parliament than ever before understand the situation in the Middle East. They briefly discussed the migration crisis in Europe and the resulting challenges that are expected. Deputy Knesset Speaker MK Yehiel Hilik Bar discussed the support within the Zionist Camp for the Two-State Solution and that the peace agreements with and Jordan contributed to stability in those countries' relations with Israel. He also noted his firm refusal to cooperate with and his belief that negotiations should be held with people who want to live "next to us," not those who want to be "instead of us."

Visit of the Switzerland–Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group Dates: 1–2 November 2016 Details: The Switzerland–Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group, headed by Corina Eichenberger-Walther MP, visited the Knesset and met with Knesset Members David Amsalem (Chair, Israel–Switzerland Parliamentary Friendship Group), Yehiel Hilik Bar, and Avi Dichter. The visitors expressed their opposition to the UNESCO resolution on Jerusalem (which they deemed "absurd") and talked with their hosts about ways of improving the fight against the BDS movement.

Delegation of Senior Employees from the Ugandan Parliament Dates: 18–20 July 2016 Details: A group of senior employees of the Parliament of headed by Jane Kibirige, Clerk to Parliament, took part in a three-day seminar as part of the inter-parliamentary cooperation between the Knesset and the Parliament. The guests met with their Knesset counterparts, including Director General Albert Sakharovich and Secretary General Yardena Meller-Horovitz, and learned about the work of the various organs and special projects, such as the Green Knesset initiative, at the Knesset. In addition, the visitors received an overview of the region from Senior Diplomatic Advisor Amb. Oded Ben- Hur and met with MK Roy Folkman, Chair of the Israel–Uganda Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Visit by EU Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism Katharina von Schnurbein Dates: 12 July 2016 Details: During a discussion on the efforts by the European Union to combat antisemitism, which took place in the Knesset Committee on Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs, Chairman Dr. Avraham Neguise MK thanked the EU Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism, Katharina von Schnurbein for the EU's recent steps. These include adoption of various ethical guidelines by the European Commission and the large social media conglomerates, among them a commitment to remove hate speech, racism, and incitement to violence within 24 hours. The Speaker of the Knesset Meets the Opposition Leader of the Greek Parliament Dates: 11 July 2016 Details: Knesset Speaker Yuli Yoel Edelstein met in his office with the opposition leader of the Hellenic Parliament, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. "I have heard many good things about your political activity and support for Israel," the Speaker told his guest, and noted that he was to visit Greece the following week on official business. "We have many issues in common, particularly in light of the situation in the region, the development of the relations between our countries over the past few years, and the cooperation between Israel, Greece and Cyprus,” Edelstein told Mitsotakis and members of his delegation.

Members of the Israel–France Parliamentary Friendship Group Met with their Counterparts Dates: 5 July 2016 Details: Members of the Israel–France Parliamentary Friendship Group, headed by Elie Elalouf MK, met with their counterparts from the French National Assembly to discuss ways of expanding their cooperation, among other subjects. This visit by the France-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group is headed by MP Pascal Popelin reciprocated the visit to . In addition to MK Elalouf, the meeting was attended by Knesset Members Amir Ohana, Sharren Haskel, Karin Elharrar, Revital Swid, Dr. Nachman Shai, and , as well as Senior Diplomatic Advisor to the Knesset Oded Ben-Hur and French Ambassador to Israel Patrick Maisonnave.

Visit by a Delegation from the Bundestag Defense Committee Dates: 3 July 2016 Details: A Six-member delegation from the Bundestag Defense Committee, headed by Chairman Wolfgang Hellmich, visited Israel to meet with the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for a discussion of shared issues and mutual study. In addition, the delegation met with the Defense Minister, the head of the IDF Operations Directorate, Deputy Attorney General for International Law, and a representative of the International Law Branch of the Military Advocate General's Corps.

Visit by Heads of the Austrian Coalition Groups Dates: 24 May 2016 Details: The heads of the coalition groups in the Austrian parliament, Dr. Reinhold Lopatka and Mr. Andreas Schieder visited the Knesset and met with MKs Sharren Haskel and .

Visit by the Czech Prime Minister Dates: 22 May 2016 Details: On 22 May 2016, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic visited the Knesset together with senior government officials as part of an intergovernmental dialogue forum. During his meeting with the Speaker of the Knesset, the two discussed the Israeli–Palestinian peace process, the rise of radical Islam in the Middle East and its effect on Europe, and the relations between the two states. The Speaker of the Knesset emphasized that Israel is interested in diplomatic progress with the Palestinians and countries in the region and that he believes direct dialogue to be the best forum for such progress. The Speaker added that some European leaders have a naïve and simplistic approach to the complex situation in the Middle East; the Prime Minister agreed and added that this same approach lies behind the difficulty that Europeans face in addressing the refugee crisis. The Speaker thanked the Prime Minister for the Czech opposition to labeling goods from Judea and Samaria, and the Prime Minister explained that the Czech Republic views its ties with Israel as extremely important and hopes to be involved in regional and diplomatic processes.

Visit by the Korean National Defense Committee Dates: 8 May 2016 Details: On 8 May 2016, MK Avi Dichter met with a delegation of parliament members from South Korea, as part of the efforts—led by the Knesset Foreign Affairs Department—to strengthen ties with the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly of South Korea. The parties discussed the many commonalities between the two countries, such as addressing regional terror threats and facing existential challenges while cultivating a thriving economy. They conducted an extensive discussion of the cyber threats to the State of Israel in the context of MK Dichter's role as chair of the Subcommittee for Cyber Defense and the guests' role in the National Assembly. MK Dichter also noted that Minister visited South Korea in October 2015 and that Korean ministers and senior officials visited Israel as productive exchanges that are important steps in the effort to strengthen and further the countries' ties.

Delegation from Tanzania Visits the Knesset Dates: 13 April 2016 Details: As part of the effort to strengthen the Knesset's ties abroad, spearheaded by Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Yoel Edelstein and Director General Ronen Plot, Mr. Plot met with a delegation from Tanzania of parliament members and supporters of Israel. The Director General told the delegation of his recent return from a private trip to Tanzania during which an agreement was initialed to further collaboration between the National Assembly of Tanzania and the Knesset. "I believe that we must `go back` to Africa in general, and to Tanzania in particular," the Knesset Director-General said . The Knesset has signed parliamentary cooperation agreements with Kenya, Ethiopia, Albania, Romania, the Ivory Coast, Costa Rica, Lithuania, Georgia and the Russian Federation Council.

Delegation of African Religious Leaders and Imams Visits the Knesset Dates: 14 March 2016 Details: The delegation, which was composed of imams and other religious leaders from South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Zambia thanked the Speaker of the Knesset for meeting with them. They said that Israel is presented in a distorted manner in Africa, and they proposed that they serve as a vehicle to for improving Israel's image. The guests proposed creating an institutional framework for this collaboration and noted that African countries have a great deal to learn from Israel. The Speaker thanked them warmly; he noted that this visit was the first of its kind and the importance of furthering this idea.

Visit by the Danish Foreign Affairs Committee Dates: 7 March 2017 Details: The Chair of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Tzachi Hanegbi, discussed the challenges with the Palestinians against the backdrop of the religious ferment. He discussed the argument between Gaza and Hamas, and noted that it was the latter that had committed to destroying Israel. He also added that on numerous occasions, Abu Mazen has avoided giving a clear answer on the return of Palestinians. The Danish chair asked if a strong Palestinian leader would be sufficient to bring about negotiations. MK Avi Dichter responded that Arafat was a strong leader but that did not help matters. The Danish delegation primarily wanted to receive updates and understand the positions of the various parties. MK Omer Barlev set out his party's new proposal as well as positive and confidence- building measures vis-à-vis the Palestinians. MK Dichter added that the conflict between the PLO and Gaza is essentially leading to a "Three-State Solution," and noted that Abu Mazen has not visited the Gaza Strip in years. In his meeting with the delegation, MK Yair Lapid talked about the Two- State Solution and the idea of a regional conference. The Palestinians are concerned about having to take responsibility for their /state. The Danish chair expressed interest also expressed interest in the recruitment of Haredim to the IDF, and the Knesset member discussed this as an example of Israel's democratic nature.

Visit by Delegation of the Director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) Dates: 7 March 2016 Details: A delegation headed by Dr. Jehangir Khan, Director of the UN Counter- Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), visited the Knesset and met with MK .

Visit by the Norwegian Foreign Minister Dates: 15 February 2016 Details: The Foreign Minister of Norway, Mr. Børge Brend, held a warm and friendly visit to the Knesset. He asked about the plans Opposition Leader MK Isaac Herzog had for working with the Palestinians. MK Herzog answered that the plans called for concrete, confidence-building measures (especially economic measures) to maintain current conditions and permit a willingness for negotiations to develop. The members of the Norwegian delegation said that the donor countries gave some $800 million of which some $100 million came from Norway. Mr. Brend expressed his concern as to the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the lack of progress in the reconstruction efforts. He expressed his confidence that Israel would be able to launch important progress shortly and warned that the UN Security Council might adopt a resolution on the settlements as early as July and wondered if the Americans would cast a veto. He then held a private meeting with MK Herzog.

Visit by the Foreign Minister of Estonia Dates: 25 January 2016 Details: The Foreign Minister of Estonia, Ms. Marina Kaljurand, visited the Knesset on 25 January 2016. She met with the Speaker of the Knesset, MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein, and with MK Ksenia Svetlova.

Visit by the Secretary General of the of Lithuania Dates: 18–20 January 2016 Details: The Secretary General of the Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas), Ms. Daiva Raudonienė, conducted a reciprocal visit to the Knesset following a visit by the Knesset Director General to the Seimas in August 2015, when a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two parliaments. Ms. Raudonienė was received by the Knesset Director General and by Secretary General Yardena Meller-Horovitz for meetings. She then took part in an expanded meeting of the Knesset Administration and a festive lunch with senior Knesset officials and MK Ksenia Svetlova, the chair of the Israel– Lithuania Parliamentary Friendship Group. Director General Ronen Plot told the guest that he hoped her visit in Israel would be a springboard for inter- parliamentary collaboration and knowledge exchanges. To that end, Raudonienė met with the Knesset Legal Advisor and the directors of Knesset departments and committees in order to learn about the various professional aspects of the Knesset's work. Plot invited the Secretary General to participate in the open day to mark the 67th anniversary of the founding of the Knesset and jubilee of the Knesset building, an invitation she gladly accepted.

Visit by the Chair of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Cyprus Dates: 11 January 2016 Details: During his visit to the Knesset, Averof Neofytou, Chairman of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Cyprus, met with Knesset Speaker MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein, Opposition Leader MK Isaac Herzog, Chair of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee MK Tzachi Hanegbi, and MKs Avigdor Liberman and Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg. The most important points from the meetings were Mr. Neofytou's proposal for trilateral meetings between the parliamentary foreign affairs and defense committees of Israel, Greece, and Cyprus; inter-parliamentary initiatives to advance projects for regional cooperation with an emphasis on assistance to the Arab countries in the region; and helping Cyprus deliver the message to the European Union regarding Israel's important role in stabilizing the region in the face of Islamist threats.

Visit by the Third Deputy Speaker of the Swedish Dates: 11 January 2016 Details: On 11 January 2016, Ms. Esabelle Dingizian, the Third Deputy Speaker of the Riksdag, visited the Knesset. She met with Deputy Speaker MK Yoel Hasson, took a tour of the Knesset, and met with MKs Eyal Ben-Reuven, Dr. Avraham Neguise, and Chair of the Committee on the Status of Women Aida Touma- Sliman.

Visit by the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian Senate Dates: 4 January 2016 Details: On 4 January 2016, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian Senate, Mr. Pier Ferdinando Casini, visited the Knesset. He and his delegation met with MKs Tzipi Livni, Dr. Nachman Shai, and Avi Dichter, as well as Education Minister and took a guided tour of the Knesset.

Visit by the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Israel Participants: Speaker of the Knesset, Knesset Members, and the European Parliament Delegation Dates: 17 November 2015 Details: The European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Israel visited the Knesset and met with Members from most of the parliamentary groups. The Speaker of the Knesset, Yuli Yoel Edelstein MK, said, "Israel sends its condolences to the entire European continent following the terror events of the past weekend, which caused us all deep shock. Terror must be fought determinedly, not with demonstrations or expressions of solidarity with the victims. Europe must act quickly. To our regret, Israeli has a lot of experience in fighting terror, and we will gladly share it with you." Addressing the decision by the European Commission to approve the proposal to label products made in the , Jerusalem and the , Edelstein told the guests that it caused him ”deep sorrow” and may actually hurt Palestinians who work at Israeli plants. ”If this decision leads factories to shut down, it will increase unemployment and despair on the Palestinian side, and the way from there to terrorism is short,” he warned.

International Space Conference at the Knesset Participants: 20 MPs from around the world Dates: 11 October 2015 Details: Knesset Speaker Yuli Yoel Edelstein concluded a parliamentary meeting attended by 20 members of parliament from around the world as part of the 66th International Astronautical Congress, hosted by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Space. He applauded the fact that the conference was held in Israel as part of the efforts to promote cooperation in these fields. During their gathering, the parliamentarians discussed using space-related technology to manage water resources as a means of addressing problems related to hunger, climate change, water shortage, air pollution, and economic growth. The visitors represented parliaments from South Africa, France, Romania, Mexico, and China. The conference was chaired by MK Manuel Trajtenberg (Zionist Camp), a member of the Knesset Science and Technology Committee.

Visit by the Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Participants: Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Yoel Edelstein; Members of Knesset Nachman Shai, Aliza Lavie, Ksenia Svetlova, and ; Knesset Director General Ronen Plot; and Knesset Secretary General Yardena Meller- Horovitz Dates: 27 July 2015 Details: A delegation headed by the Secretary General of the IPU, Martin Chungong, visited Israel and met at the Knesset with the Speaker of the Knesset, Yuli Yoel Edelstein; the Director General, Ronen Plot; and the members of the Israeli delegation to the IPU: Knesset members Nachman Shai (delegation chair), Ksenia Svetlova, Tamar Zandberg, and Aliza Lavie. The next day, the delegation toured and then Soroka Hospital. The visit was organized and overseen by the Senior Diplomatic Advisor to the Knesset, Oded Ben-Hur. The atmosphere during the visit was positive and productive. The Secretary General expressed his desire to strengthen the organization's ties and collaboration with Israel, and expressed great interest in the initiative whereby the Knesset would serve as a source for passing along information and capabilities to other parliaments in areas such as the Green Knesset, water, sustainable agriculture, innovation, and more.

Visit by the Prime Minister of Italy Participants: Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Yoel Edelstein, MK Orly Levi-Abekasis Dates: 22 July 2015 Details: The Speaker of the Knesset welcomed his guest and praised the friendship that he and his country display towards the State of Israel. He talked about the excellent relations that gain expression in many varied fields, mutual visits, and various agreements in the context of inter-governmental meetings. The Speaker presented the chair of the Israel–Italy Parliamentary Friendship Group, MK Orly Levi-Abekasis, serving her second term in this role, and noted her work and her leadership in the Knesset of matters related to the rights of the child and the advancement of legislation to promote social equality. Prime Minister Renzi talked about the importance of democracy but noted that Italy had already seen 67 governments in 70 years, a fact that must be changed. He also mentioned that despite the achievements that have been made through bilateral cooperation, there is more that can be done to improve and deepen these relations. He spoke at length about Israel as an inseparable part of the future of Italy and Europe (a point on which he expanded in his subsequent speech to the Knesset Plenum). He emphasized Israel's rich culture and the fact that the country is a model for innovation and science and spoke at length about Israel's leading role in these fields in the world at large. The Speaker of the Knesset spoke about the need to develop collaborative efforts between the parliaments and mentioned the importance of the Green Knesset initiative in protecting the environment, educating the younger generation in environmental protection, saving electricity, etc. He then discussed the nuclear deal with Iran and noted his hope that oversight of Iran would be effective. The Speaker noted that the nuclear threat may first threaten the Jews but that it would doubtless not end there. Renzi asked his delegation members as to the state of the parliamentary friendship group with Israel; when told it had not yet been established, he promised his personal involvement in advancing the matter.

Foreign Minister of Greece Participants: MKs Tzipi Livni and Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin Dates: 6 July 2015 Details: The minister discussed the challenges Greece faces with Europe, the reasons for the referendum, and where Greece is headed. He described the anger they face from Europe and noted that Greece held several referendums in recent years, at least a quarter of which asked whether Greece should leave the European Union. He also added that if, in the last referendum, the vote had been in favor of the European proposal (i.e., against the position of the Tsipras government), the government would have resigned. Tsipras has a great deal of civic bravery, and the vote reflected the deepest feelings of the majority of the public. One of the biggest problems, according to the minister, was the fact that the World Bank proposed a variety of options to extract Greece from its crisis but changed its positions repeatedly—a fact that left the Greece uncertain of their standing. He noted that he had decided to travel despite the difficult situation at home, and MKs Tzipi Livni and Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin praised him for his decision and said that Israel views it as a sign of friendship. The next steps, the minister said, would be extremely difficult and would demand large-scale reform, heavy taxation, an anti-corruption campaign, and significant rationing. He noted that Greece hopes that its good ties and friendship with Israel would help the country emerge from its state. MK Livni promised that Israel would work to help its friend.

Meeting between the Czech Foreign Minister and MKs Herzog and Swid Participants: MKs Isaac Herzog and Revital Swid Dates: 8 June 2015 Details: The guest discussed his short visit to the Gaza Strip, including the large- scale destruction and suffering children. He raised the need for a practicable plan beyond reconstruction to solve the problem between Israel and the Gaza Strip. MK Herzog answered that Israel does not understand why the rebuilding is not taking place—not only does Israel not prevent it but even allows some 800 truckloads of goods to enter the Strip every day despite the knowledge that that some of the dual-use goods could be used by Hamas for its purposes. The minister proposed developing a joint examination mechanism. In response to the minister's question, MK Herzog said that he believes the Prime Minister is interested in negotiations that will ensure security arrangements are maintained. He shared his view that an international conference should be convened with moderate Arab countries. MK Swid distinguished between Gaza and the West bank and said that Israel is interested in dialogue. She asked the minister to take action against the BDS movement, and the minister promised he would do so. He then moved on to the issue of settlements. MK Herzog joined the minister in his criticism. In response to a question from the minister, MK Herzog answered that it would be premature to discuss his joining the Netanyahu government, and that it would first be necessary to see what the Prime Minister was actually willing to do vis-à- vis the Palestinians. He added that although he never ruled out the possibility of joining the Government, to do so at the current juncture would betray his constituency. The minister added that the French would withdraw their Security Council resolution if Israel would address the settlements. MK Herzog concluded by saying that neither Israel nor the Palestinians should take any unilateral steps and that progress is best made through dialogue.

Participants: MKs Stav Shafir, Merav Ben Ari, Yehiel Hilik Bar Dates: 12 May 2015 Details: Six members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Swiss National Council visited the Knesset and met with Knesset Members Stav Shafir, Merav Ben Ari, and Yehiel Hilik Bar. For many of the guests, this was the first trip to Israel; their goal was to gain a better understanding of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. MK Stav Shafir provided an overview of the political developments in Israel and emphasized that boycotts and BDS policies implemented by various entities in Europe do not help the cause of peace and even set it back. MK Merav Ben Ari discussed the Kulanu Party's social-change efforts and called on the Swiss to help in the region, for example, by providing aid to victims of the fighting in Syria. MK Yehiel Hilik Bar gave the visitors a short diplomatic overview and answered their questions on the chances of a two-state solution coming to pass. The Swiss noted the high degree of importance they attach to promoting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, that it is clear to them that making peace is difficult, and that the Palestinians, too, must take steps towards this end. Delegation Headed by the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Participants: Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Yoel Edelstein, MKs Omer Barlev and Dates: 1–2 April 2015 Details: The President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH), headed a delegation of American lawmakers to Israel. During the visit, he met with senior officials including the Speaker of the Knesset, Yuli Yoel Edelstein, and the Israeli delegates to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, MKs Omer Barlev and Ofer Shelah. During the meetings, agreement was reached on further expansion of the inter- parliamentary dialogue during the Spring Session in Budapest. The meetings were also attended by the Secretary General of the NATO PA, David Hobbs (United Kingdom).