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Outgoing Delegations—20Th Knesset

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The Knesset Outgoing Delegations—20th Knesset Participation by the Director General of the Knesset in Events Marking 100 years of Democracy in Georgia Participants: Director General of the Knesset Albert Sakharovich Destination: Georgia Dates: 10–14 March 2019 Details: The Director General of the Knesset, Albert Sakharovich, was invited by his Georgian counterpart, Mr. Givi Mikandadze, to take part in a series of events marking the 100th anniversary of democracy in Georgia. During the visit, work meetings were held in Parliament, including a tour of the training center and a visit to an information and reception area for people with disabilities. In addition, a tour was held of the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia, which is housed in the parliament, and the Book Museum. Conference of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) in Belgrade Participants: MK Amir Peretz (Labor), MK Eitan Broshi (Labor) Destination: Belgrade, Serbia Dates: 20–24 February 2019 Details: MK Amir Peretz, the Knesset representative in the PAM, was elected by secret ballot as vice president of the organization with a large majority of 80% of the vote and was given the second slot after Italy. MK Peretz: "This is an important moment in strengthening the international standing of the Knesset in the international arena. It provides an opportunity to advance economic and political issues in a complex arena that includes representatives of the Mediterranean basin and representatives of Arab countries in our region." MK Peretz called on the organization to serve as an umbrella for bilateral talks, including between Israelis and Palestinians. Conference of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Participants: MK Anat Berko (Likud) Destination: Vienna, Austria Dates: 20–23 February 2019 Details: The OSCE's Winter Meeting was held in February 2019 inVienna. The Knesset was represented by MK Anat Berko, head of the delegation to the OSCE. During the conference, a session was held by the OSCE's Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism. Although Israel is an observer in the organization and not a member of it, MK Berko is a full member of the committee, and during the meeting she made a speech on legislative initiatives as a tool for combating terrorism. Sideline meetings were held with the organization's secretary general and several delegation heads. Summit of Speakers and Parliamentary Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PA- UFM) in Strasbourg Participants: MK Amir Ohana (Likud) Destination: Strasbourg, France Dates: 13–14 February 2019 Details: MK Amir Ohana, head of the Knesset delegation to the PA-UfM, represented Israel at the annual parliamentary assembly held in Strasbourg. Delegates from Mediterranean states included parliamentarians from Jordan, the PA, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, and Turkey. The main topic that the MPs discussed during these two days was migration. The various countries presented their positions, and each detailed the refugee and immigration challenges it faces, projects regarding this issue, and economic development in the region. In his speech at the Summit of Speakers, MK Ohana emphasized the importance of regional stability as a key element in preventing waves of immigration. He also focused on Iran as a country that is trying to undermine this stability through terrorism in the Middle East and Europe and, in fact, create immigration crises. In addition, he said that Israel's hand is extended in peace and that there is a desire to cooperate with European and Arab countries in order to promote development projects. Participation by MK Tali Ploskov in International Holocaust Memorial Day Events in Moldova Participants: MK Tali Ploskov (Kulanu) Destination: Moldova Dates: 28–30 January 2019 Details: Deputy Speaker of the Knesset MK Tali Ploskov, chair of the Israel–Moldova Parliamentary Friendship Group, was invited by the Moldovan parliament and the Jewish community to attend events marking International Holocaust Memorial Day in Moldova, including a roundtable discussion on the implementation of the Moldovan government's plan of action regarding Holocaust remembrance and antisemitism in the country. During the visit, MK Ploskov met with Speaker of the Parliament Andrian Candu and discussed new channels of parliamentary cooperation. MK Ploskov visited the memorial monument to the "victims of fascism" and the Jewish cemetery. Attendance of MK Tali Ploskov and MK Yoel Hasson at the Inauguration Ceremony for the President of Georgia Participants: MK Tali Ploskov (Kulanu) and MK Yoel Hasson (Zionist Camp) Destination: Georgia Dates: 14–16 December 2018 Details: Deputy Speaker of the Knesset MK Tali Ploskov and MK Yoel Hasson joined representatives from more than 22 countries at the inauguration of Georgian President Salome Zourabichivili. The Knesset Members met the new president during a sideline meeting, and the two sides expressed a joint commitment to further deepening the relations between the countries and in particular between the parliaments. Knesset Speaker's Trip to Italy for the MED Conference Participants: Speaker of the Knesset, MK Yuli Yoel Edelstein (Likud) Destination: Italy Dates: 21–25 November 2018 Details: At the invitation of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Speaker of the Knesset made a short visit to Rome in order to attend and speak at the MED Dialogues conference. As part of the visit, the Speaker of the Knesset met with Senate President Maria Elisabetta Casellati and the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Roberto Fico. The Knesset Speaker also appeared before a joint session of the Foreign Affairs Committees of both parliaments and held a work meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Moavero. The Speaker was interviewed for Italian media, inaugurated an exhibition on clandestine immigration to Israel at the Museum of the Shoah in Rome, and met with senior members of the city's Jewish community. Professional Visit on Public Transportation in Tallinn, Estonia Participants: MK Dov Khenin (Joint List) Destination: Tallinn, Estonia Dates: 15–18 November 2018 Details: MK Dov Khenin visited Estonia for a professional discussion on public transportation. MK Khenin met with his Estonian counterparts and received an explanation on relevant legislation and various public transportation reforms advanced in Estonia in the past few years. In addition, he held meetings with professionals in Tallinn who told him about the various means of public transportation provided for free to all Estonian residents as well as to visitors. Visit to Portugal by the Israel–Portugal Parliamentary Friendship Group Participants: MK Merav Ben Ari (Kulanu) and MK Yoseph Yonah (Zionist Union) Destination: Portugal Dates: 4-7 November 2018 Details: The Israel-Portugal Parliamentary Friendship Group led by MK Merav Ben Ari (Kulanu) and MK Yoseph Yonah (Zionist Union) visited Lisbon from 4–7 November 2018. The visit included meetings in parliament and government ministries. The visit was a success and touched on a variety of issues. The appreciation and close relationship between members of parliament and Israel were particularly notable, mainly due to the shared history with the Jewish people as well as democratic values held in common, and the understanding that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. In addition, the two sides discussed possible legislative collaboration, among other issues. Knesset Delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Participants: MK Nachman Shai (Zionist Union) and MK Sharren Haskel (Likud) Destination: Geneva, Switzerland Dates: 12–16 October 2018 Details: Members of Knesset attended the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) semiannual assembly, during which the Knesset delegation managed to prevent passage of an emergency item on funding for UNRWA. Delegation Chair MK Nachman Shai addressed the organization's plenum on the issue of retrieving Israeli MIAs Lt. Hadar Goldin and Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul as well as civilians Abera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed. In addition, the delegation held sideline meetings with various delegations, including those from Argentina, Australia, Norway, France, the Czech Republic, and Canada. Knesset Members' Visit to Africa Participants: MK Avraham Neguise (Likud), MK Elie Elalouf (Kulanu), MK Yoseph Yonah (Zionist Union) Destination: Abidjan (Ivory Coast) and Accra (Ghana) Dates: 7–12 October 2018 Details: An historic visit and the first in decades by Knesset Members to West Africa. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen ties with parliaments in these countries. In addition, the Knesset members met with the Vice President of Ivory Coast and Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs. Members of Knesset also met with pro-Israel communities and even inaugurated an orphanage funded by the Israeli embassy in Abidjan. Knesset Delegation Visit to Latin America in Conjunction with The Jewish Agency Participants: MK David Amsalem (Likud), MK David Bitan (Likud), MK Merav Ben Ari (Kulanu), MK Yehuda Glick (Likud), MK Haim Jelin (Yesh Atid), and MK Itzik Shmuli (Zionist Union). Destination: Santiago (Chile), Lima (Peru), and Buenos Aires (Argentina) Dates: 29 July–8 August 2018 Details: The Knesset delegation visited Chile, Peru, and Argentina to strengthen bilateral relations with the parliaments; as this delegation was held in conjunction with the Jewish Agency, one of the goals was to strengthen ties with Jewish communities in these countries. In Chile, the members of Knesset met with the Minister of
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