PEOPLE Interview with the Cypriot Ambassador to Israel

September 2013

PEOPLE Interview with the cypriot Ambassador to Israel

Special: Photography issue- Winners and more

Editor's Letter

10 Karlibah St., Tel-Aviv Dear Friends, P.O. Box 20344, Tel Aviv 61200, Israel Like every year in the diplomatic community, summer is a time of changes. So, we are 708 Third Avenue, 4th Floor happy to welcome all the new diplomatic staff to Israel. As well, we’d like to wish our New York, NY 10017, U.S.A. veteran diplomats a fruitful year starting straight after the summer break. This issue was composed close to the Jewish High Holidays: Rosh HaShana (the Club Diplomatique de Geneva Jewish New Years), Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) and Sukkot (the Feast of P.O. Box 228, Geneva, Switzerland the Tabernacles). So, I am taking this opportunity to wish all of you good health and prosperity during Publisher The Diplomatic Club Ltd. the year 5774 on the Hebrew calendar. More than three thousand years ago, the descendants of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, General Manager Julia Verdel united under the leadership of Saul, David and Solomon, the first three Kings of Israel. These people with their own unique religion joined to become one nation with Contributing Editor David Rhodes a Temple and a capitol in Jerusalem which formed the foundation of what is called the “Old City” today. Writers Barry Rubin We can learn from this that people of different tribes and cultures can unite under a Anthony J. Dennis common purpose and when doing so can accomplish great feats together. Patricia e Hemricourt, Israel Let hope, that lesson will be carry throughout the region. Ira Moskowitz, Israel Bernard Marks, Israel In August, The Diplomatic Club celebrated its 15 year birthday. Christopher Barder, UK As I look back, it is like a 15 year old adolescent, not fully mature, but not an infant Ilan Berman, USA either. We have been over the same stages: the challenges of birth, the pain of teething, the broken voice of puberty and developing our own personality. Now, we can say with some confidence that we have learned a lot (but are still learning) Reporter Neil Sander and have done a lot (but still have much more we want to accomplish) and we are Ksenia Svetlov definitely mature enough to say: Eveline Erfolg David Rhodes The Diplomatic Club in Israel is proud about its activity over the last 15 years and looking forward to what we can accomplish together with our readers in the future. Advertising Tel: 972-3-56.220.61/2 Here, in Israel, at the crossing of three major monotheistic religions and three [email protected] continents was born the idea of people reaching out to another as diplomats to provide links between different countries, their people and their leaders. An open mind and Layout Chana Leah Dror “togetherness” - this has been the philosophy of the Diplomatic Club since 1998. On the occasion of Israel’s 65 Years of Independence and the International Friendship Accounting Roded Rinegold Day the Diplomatic club initiated a photo competition “Israel through Foreign Lenses”. Diplomats from over the world, foreign journalists, representatives of foreign religions Legal Support Mati Simchowitz Law Office and UN staff have been exhibiting their photographs of how they view Israel according to several categories: 1) Family 2) Nature & Environment 3) Daily Life 4) Fine Art 5) Religion. Cover: All of the pictures submitted were appreciated and opened a lot of eyes to how Israel and Israelis are seen by visitors. Photo credit: Natalie Ben Dara The Diplomatic Club is particularly proud of the participation of the young Chinese movie production of "Old Cinderella" photographers Charlotte Veldkamp and Luka Tomic and hope that their participation Article on p. 27 and other young photographers becomes a tradition. We hope, this exciting experience will be The Diplomatic Club Magazine something that you will never forget – a present Printed Monthly for a lifetime! Shana Tova/ a Sweet New Years. Tel: 972-3-562.20.61/2 Sincerely, Fax: 972-3-562.02.12 [email protected] Julia Verdel www.diplomacy-club.com Publisher And the Editorial Team People

A Good Neighbor Sees Brighter Days Ahead: An Interview of Ambassador Dimitris Hatziargyrou of Cyprus

By David Rhodes Cyprus has been in the international Greek debt was unsustainable the decision that affect Cyprus as center for offshore news recently for its economic challenges to proceed with a PSI (haircut) of the banking center in the future? and its dramatic bailout by international Greek debt caused massive losses in the organizations. Looking back, how could neighborhood of 4.5 billion euros, a quarter Actually this is the first case in the have it been avoided on Cyprus’s part and of Cyprus’ GNP, to the Cypriot banks Eurozone of a case of “bail in”. This means what steps is Cyprus taking to make sure which had earlier purchased Greek bonds that to recapitalize the banks which is it doesn’t happen again? at very attractive rates. As the banks had a necessary condition for any economy to jump start, these huge amounts were The problem faced by Cyprus is something to be bailed out by the state, the national decided by the Eurogroup decision of 15 that other countries have faced over the debt of Cyprus, which up until then was March and subsequently of the following years. It concerns primarily irresponsible manageable, reached unsustainable levels. decision of 25 March, that they would policies of expansion pursued by the two Then the downgrades of the country’s have to be raised by Cyprus, something major banks of our country which landed credit worthiness begun which meant that would make the debt of the state them in financial trouble. As a result of that we could no longer turn to the unsustainable pushing the country into their behavior Cyprus faced successive international markets to refinance our default. That is how the decision was taken downgrades by the major credit rating debt (as all countries do). to proceed with the haircut of deposits. houses and as a result of that for the last As part of an 18 billion Euro bailout Cyprus thus became a guinea pig on how two years we could not secure refinancing Cyprus is expected to come up with banks that run into trouble in the future of the national debt. This was the reason about 7 billion Euro of its own. Is that will be dealt with. That is, other than why we had to apply to the European realistic? Much of it is targeting large the 100,000 euros of depositors, which Stability Mechanism for a bailout. depositors in your banks. How much is are insured, the banks themselves, their How much was what happened to Cyprus that from foreign depositors and how will stock holders, the holders of their bonds self-afflicted and how much part of being part of the European Union? Did the collapse of Greek economy play a crucial role in dragging down the Cypriot economy?

The over-expansion of the banks cannot be said to be necessarily a bad development. Unfortunately in the case of Cyprus, this over-expansion was followed by irresponsible policies by the banks which created a lot of problems. The fact that Cyprus was a member of the Eurozone did not of itself cause the problems. The lack of proper oversight on the other hand did its part in bringing the banks down and led the country, which had to bail them out,into dire financial straits. The problems of the Cyprus banks begun Ambassador Dimitris Hatziargyrou when the Greek economy collapsed and had to apply for a bailout. And as the 4 The Diplomatic Club Magazine People

and the rest of the depositors will have to would expect, for the provision of the 10 included raising taxes, substantial cutbacks contribute for the recapitalization of the billion euro bailout, aim at achieving fiscal in salaries and reduction of spending. The banks. A considerable amount of these consolidation so that the country can face result of this was a reduction in economic deposits come from foreign depositors the immediate challenges and move ahead activity with all that that entails. One although Cypriots (and by that I mean, out of this crisis. As in previous bailouts particular negative development was an individuals as well as institutions) were in Eurozone countries (and not only) the increase in unemployment, particularly the bigger losers. This development will exit from the crisis requires policies that among the young. Our GNP is expected certainly affect Cyprus as an international reduce expenses and increase government to shrink for the next couple of years which banking center but it does not mean that revenues. This, in almost all cases, requires will impact negatively on many, mostly it will cease to exist. The international sacrifices by everyone. small and medium size companies. And banking sector will shrink and we hope this will increase unemployment. A lot of The initial reaction by the average Cypriot with proper oversight it will be able to people and real estate companies are facing at the decision of 15 March was one of bounce back in due time. There are already problems paying their mortgages but we shock and apprehension. Cypriots did not many companies with operations in Cyprus have not yet seen massive foreclosures. The go out into the street to protest against which have announced that they will be government is taking measures to avoid the government. There was, naturally, staying in Cyprus and continue to benefit this scenario which we have witnessed in from its low corporate tax rate and high disappointment at the way that Cyprus other countries by, for example, reaching levels of professional services. became a guinea pig of its European agreements with the banks, to lengthen partners and at the lack of solidarity repayment periods. How are Cypriots reacting to the displayed. And let us not forget the role Prices are not skyrocketing; on the contrary economic crisis? How is it playing out of certain circles in Europe which, using we have seen a reduction as people are as far as cutting government programs? the too-eager press, particularly in one more cautious with their money. Inflation Are business’s closing? Homes being member state, undertook a fierce campaign is stable. Construction has practically foreclosed? Are prices skyrocketing or to portray our country as a haven of come to a standstill, even though this is inflation staying stable? Are loans dirty Russian money. The recent results for businesses and mortgages frozen? Is was a sector of the economy which had of a committee to investigate that claim, experienced a slowdown 18 months or so new construction dormant until this all in which Moneyval and DeLoitte were plays out? before the crisis; but, nonetheless, there is involved, proved that this was highly a glut of properties on the market at very The result of this unprecedented decision exaggerated. competitive prices. This was because there by the Eurogroup has pushed the country My government took a series of substantial was a huge boom in construction after into recession. The strings attached, as one measures to limit the fiscal deficit. These 2004 when we acceded to the EU and

The Cyprus Coastine

The Diplomatic Club Magazine 5 People

buyers were flooding the market. As these Cyprus and Israel have had traditionally In Cyprus we view the current division not properties are being sold and the banking good relations. Over the last 3 years, in terms of religion – pitting Christians sector is stabilized and recapitalized we way before the crisis, the relationship against Moslems but rather in terms expect that the construction sector will qualitatively expanded. We have seen an of an invasion and illegal occupation start to move again. 2013 and 2014 will increase in Israeli tourists and investors in of a sovereign country, in violation of be tough years but we hope that by 2015 Cyprus and we have concluded an array international law by one of its neighbors. the economy’s engines will start to rev up of bilateral agreements which create the The relationship between Greek Cypriots again. legal institutional framework for expanding and Turkish Cypriots is not one of deep hatred. Let us not forget that in Cyprus we Other than all the international cooperation in many areas and of course have had a clash of imported nationalisms bodies that have stepped in, have there are the prospects of cooperation in which led to the Turkish invasion of our neighboring countries been able to the energy sector where both our countries country in 1974. That invasion is the cause offer any assistance? Has it affected the have been blessed with substantial amounts of the division of the island, and it is being relationship between Israel and Cyprus? of natural gas. This last development is another area from which we hope to perpetuated by the presence of a large, Cyprus enjoys good relations with all benefit from in coming out of the current heavily armed, Turkish occupying force its neighbors (except of course Turkey economic doldrums. which has isolated the Turkish Cypriot which continues to occupy 37% of its community. Greek Cypriots and Turkish territory). We have not requested What is the current political situation Cypriots lived peacefully on the island for assistance from our neighbors but we feel like in Cyprus? It’s a divided isle with centuries and they proved that they can that the prospects are there for mutually 1/3 Turkish/Muslim Cypriots in the do so again when in 2003 the Turkish beneficial cooperation. There are many north and mostly Greek Christians in occupying army allowed people to cross opportunities for investment in Cyprus and the south, how do the two parts of the the dividing line. This is testified by the our country has a lot to offer. The stability island get along? Do people travel to the fact that since 2003 with millions of of EU membership, an investment friendly other sides? Is there trade between the crossings taking place there have been no environment, a highly educated workforce two sides? Is there much violence? Is major incidents, and certainly absolutely and competitive investment opportunities. the relationship of Greek and Turkish no violence, between the two Cypriot Our tourism sector will continue to grow, Cypriots reflective of relationship communities. a decision was taken to proceed with the between Greece and Turkey and how The big challenge before us now and for development of casinos in the island, the are these two countries getting along? the last 39 years is how we secure a solution maritime sector seems to be unaffected by What are the long term prospects for a that will reunify the island and will allow the crisis and our offshore sector and even more unified Cyprus and better relations all Cypriots to live in the land of their the banking sector will rebound. between Greece and Turkey? ancestors without foreign interference. That is the crux of the problem. The international community via the Good Offices of the Secretary General of the United Nations has invested heavily in attempting to arrive at a solution of the Cyprus Problem. The problem, despite often verbal declarations in support for a solution emanating from Ankara, is Turkish policy on Cyprus. A policy that wants to maintain control by using the Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus, as a tool in achieving its aims in the area. The government of Cyprus and the recently elected President Anastasiades are determined to pursue a just and viable solution to this anachronism that would guarantee the reunification of the island with full rights and protections for all its citizens. We hope that by this Fall the discussions will begin again for yet another 6 The Diplomatic Club Magazine People

effort at tackling the problem. Greece international community supports a two- affinity with western culture while at the does not interfere in the decisions of the state solution. same time being cognizant of his or her government of Cyprus and steadfastly Cyprus is one country with no borders Mediterranean identity. supports the efforts of the United Nations and movement within it should be free. What’s the short history of the in this respect. It fully respects the fact Cyprus is a geographical island. Israel on relationship between Israel and Cyprus that Cyprus is an independent country, a the other hand has defined borders and it is and where is it today and how do you see member of the UN and the EU, and will more of a question of its relationship with it evolving? determine its own future. I wish I could its neighbors that gives the impression of say the same for Turkey. “an island in the sand”. The history of the region that both people How do you think Cyprus unresolved live in is a very turbulent one. Cypriots and I imagine Cyprus considers itself part of divided nature compares to Israel’s Jews have interacted throughout history. In the Eastern Mediterranean region rather unresolved borders? Also Israel is sort of the First Century A.D. the island hosted a than part of the Middle East (although an “island in the sand” with its neighbors great number of Jews. During Roman rule it is greatly affected by events nearby). being destinations Israeli citizens can’t in the Second Century the Romans wiped Many Israelis are trying to rebrand Israel (Syria and Lebanon) or generally don’t out the Jewish population of the island in (Egypt and Jordan) travel to. So do you as part of the Eastern Med rather than their effort to maintain their control on the see similarities here to life in Israel to part of the Middle East since the whole island. Since then there was only limited that in Cyprus? country is within 1 1/2 hours drive of presence of Jews on Cyprus. In more recent the Mediterranean and culturally we times, in the 1930’s and 40’s a number Cyprus is a clear case of invasion and have more in common with countries of Jews moved to the island in order to foreign occupation of an independent and like Greece and Cyprus than Israel does escape the rise of Nazism in Europe. sovereign member of the United Nations with Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Having They set up businesses there and did well. Organization perpetrated by another lived in Cyprus and Israel, do you see a lot My own grandfather worked for a Jewish country also a member of the UN. There of similarities in the cultures and how? man who had set up a workshop in my are many UNGA and UNSC resolutions hometown of Larnaka and made dentures. calling on Turkey to withdraw its troops Yes I do see similarities between the two After the Second World War, Cyprus was from Cyprus. Turkey refuses to do that. In Mediterranean peoples. I do not feel out used as a stepping stone for Jews moving the case of Israel, although there are also of place when I walk down Rothschild to Palestine. Most of the Cypriot Jews UN resolutions concerning the case, the Blvd or down Makariou Street in Nicosia. moved to Israel after its establishment. situation is not as clear cut as in Cyprus. In Cyprus feels European and at the same More than 50,000 European Jews trying to Cyprus the UN calls for the reunification time part of the Eastern Mediterranean. reach Israel in the years 1946 – 1949 were of the territory while in the MEPP the I imagine that the average Israeli feels an interned on the island by the British who

The Diplomatic Club Magazine 7 People

held Cyprus as a colony. 2,000 children population, do they travel much to truly exceptional experience. were born in these internment camps. The Israel as pilgrims or for recreation? Is Are there anythings you especially miss Cypriot population at the time provided a visa required? How many Israelis visit from Cyprus? It's not that far away how help, on a human level, to these people and Cyprus? It is often stated that some assisted a small number of them to escape Israelis travel to Cyprus for civil unions often do you travel back and forth? and reach Palestine. that aren’t accessible in Israel. What else Of course I miss Cyprus, family and Following the establishment of the is attracting Israelis to Cyprus? friends as well as watching my favorite independent Republic of Cyprus in 1960, Trade between the two countries stands football team and but as it is so close (36 the two countries established diplomatic at 700 million euros annually. Israelis go minutes flying time) I visit there very often relations immediately. Since then the to Cyprus for tourism and many Cypriot (every couple of months). relations have been friendly. In more pilgrims come to Israel to visit the Holy recent years, as I mentioned before, the What vision do Cypriot officials have Land. The number of Israeli tourists to relationship between Cyprus and Israel for a future Cyprus and Israel together Cyprus stands at about 90,000 annually has progressed rapidly. In 1995 the first and separately? synagogue was established in Larnaka to while about 15,000 Cypriots visit Israel. cater to the more than 300 Israelis who A visa is not required for Cypriot and The job of every ambassador is to see the now live or have holiday homes on the Israeli passport holders. A good number of relations of the country he represents to island. There is a wide array of cooperation weddings take place in Cyprus, from our grow during his tenure in the country on many levels. Tourism is increasing records, about 600 last year alone. that hosts him. My experience here steadily while many Cypriot doctors come What attracts Israelis to Cyprus is the easy over the last two years is that there is to Israel to specialize in many fields of going way of life on the island coupled tremendous political will on both sides to medicine. A Cypriot university, a British with the beauty of the country and its further enhance our relationship. We are University and Tel Aviv University are beautiful climate and particularly its great working hard, on both sides, to achieve cooperating to set up a medical school in beaches. The same can be said for the more that. This is testified by the many official Cyprus. In short, the omens are good for than 3 million other tourists that flock to visits including that of former President expanding these relations. our country every year. Proximity is also Christofias in March of 2011, President another factor. It takes 36 minutes for the What kind of commerce and assistance Peres to Cyprus in November of the same flight to Cyprus and we would like to see exists between the two countries? year, the first ever visit by an Israeli Prime more Israelis spend their weekends there. We know there is a mostly Christian Minister when PM Netanyahu visited Do you have family with you in Israel? Cyprus in February of last year and the What kind of activities do you enjoy newly elected President Anastasiades in together or separately? What have some May of this year. Not to mention the many you favorite places to visit in Israel? Ministerial and Senior Officials visits to both countries. I am here in Israel with my wife Elpida. I have a son who is currently attending We are neighbors and as such we are university in the United States. I am an avid destined to cooperate. So we are constantly lover of the sea (being a Mediterranean) looking for opportunities to cooperate. and thus I adore swimming and snorkeling. There is very good will on both sides. Of course, my interests include reading, After all we are friendly neighbors with primarily history, archaeology and no divisive issues between us. Our hope, literature. I play chess and love to travel. as Cyprus, is to see all the countries in our I have visited Israel north to south and region cooperate for the common good. east to west. My favorite place to visit The beautiful Mediterranean Sea is our is the Old City of Jerusalem. One of backyard. Let us work together to make it the greatest experiences that I have had truly a Sea of Peace. was going on a private tour underneath Jerusalem and exploring the tunnels and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the City of David. As I have a passion Ambassador Hatziaryrou is a career diplomat for archaeology and history (one of the with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Ambassador Dimitris Hatziargyrou Ambassador’s diplomas is in Modern Republic Cyprus and has been serving as Greek & Byzantine studies) this was a Ambassador to Israel since March 2011. 8 The Diplomatic Club Magazine Middle East Digest

Deep Roots and High Hopes: The Diplomatic Club Visited Judea & Samaria

By David Rhodes On a Sunday morning, June 9th, 2013, vineyards belonging to Jewish families. Our second stop was the site of the ancient the Diplomatic Club left Tel Aviv by Our first stop traveling north was at town of Shiloh which had been the capitol bus to tour Judea and Samaria (also the Binyamin Tourism Visitor Center of the Twelve Tribes of Israel for 369 years known as the West Bank). Along for which is a short ride north of Jerusalem before eventually moving to Jerusalem the tour were diplomats, representatives and also hosts the Psagot Winery, the and its role in history and its location are from NGO’s and graduate students from mentioned in the Old Testament’s Book southern most winery on what some have Austria, Denmark, India and Kenya and of Judges. Excavations have unearthed called the Biblical WIne Route. We were the Ukraine. Of special note was the antiquities and ruins dating back over 3000 treated to a satiating breakfast and a taste presence of the Ambassador of Costa years and a modern village of Shiloh was of the 2010 Psagot Merlot but we weren’t Rica Rodrigo Carreras, who is serving his built nearby in 1978. just along for a whimsical romp. Settler second term in that role after a stint in the movement representative Danny Dayan After a short walking tour of the ruins (we 1980’s and whose father, Benjamin Nunez, had a packed schedule) we were fortunate met with us and gave us his perspective also had been been the Ambassador some enough to be some of the first guests on chances for peace in the region. He four decades ago. As a group we were to experience a unique new theatrical wasn’t overly optimistic on the chances of cordially hosted by the Binyamin Tourism presentation in a state of the art facility peace coming from a two state solution and Council. The Binyamin region is located that projected a film onto a screen of just north of Jerusalem leading up Route believed that instead of focusing on peace twelves pains of glass (symbolizing the 6 which follows a historic path dating back in the region, international players should aforementioned Twelves Tribes) which thousands of years that has both Jewish focus on justice for all parties including as windows overlook the valley where and Arab towns on either side along its Palestinian refugees still living in camps the Tabernacle housing the Ark of the length often dotted by olive trees belonging who he claimed are there only to be used Covenant once stood. The experience to residents of nearby Arab villages or as pawns by their leaders. serves as an effective way of connecting the viewer with the area as its portrayed in the film. Additionally, recently found burnt raisins that date back thousands of years at the site of Ancient Shiloh give hope that a mystery of what wine grapes were native to the period may be answered. A nearby winemaker aspires to being able to recreate wine from that era once he knows which grapes were used in that era. It remains to be seen if wine made to be authentic to that era which may have been watered down, flavored and preserved with additives like pine resin, herbs and date honey would be very palatable to connoisseurs today or if the winemaker would go to those extremes in his attempt to make the wine authentic. We would break for lunch nearby at the Tura Winery, a small family run operation with a charming visitor center. With a long tasting table that can accommodate dozens Meeting between the President of Ariel University and the Diplomatic Club Mission of guests for a tasting of any of Tura’s eight wines or a feast of various meats, an array The Diplomatic Club Magazine 9 Middle East Digest

of salads, roasted vegetables and fresh to be a multi-cultural beacon for the that area by decades. Another project is fruit; our day’s bounty continued as we region as it has only 500 Arab students to recycle wastewater in the area so that enjoyed both a small feast and two of Tura’s currently attending but Danon is proud it can be reused for agricultural purposes awarding winning red wines which were that that those students are allowed for everyone in the region: Jew, Muslim underscored by the hospitality of our hosts. to attend without having to make any or Christian. It’s sadly ironic that the At these first three stops we were visiting lifestyle changes they would need to make blanketing boycott of assistance that Ariel with people who settled the area who attending other Israeli universities and the University endures includes even programs had a passion to live in an area that had campus makes whatever accommodations that are meant to assist the people the huge religious and cultural significance necessary for the students to fit in and boycott is meant to help. for them as Jews returning to part of hopes more Arab students would attend Our last stop before heading back to their ancestral homeland even though it in the future. Tel Aviv, was at a plastics factory further was not within Israel’s border’s after its One point of frustration for the Ariel’s west in the industrial park in Barkan. War of Independence in 1948 (or was the administration is their difficulty obtaining We were guided through the facility by Western Wall and Temple Mount in the grants from the European Union and Yehuda Cohen who oversees the operation. Old City for that matter, the holiest site in from the United States for being located This one factory employed an almost Judaism). Although the future sovereignty “behind the 1967 green line.” Even for equal mix of 90 Jews and Arabs who of this land is in question, there’s no research that would benefit Arabs in made plastic parts for plumbing as well doubt these people have a connection the area, the university faces an uphill as consumer products most of which to where they live and a sincere desire battle finding funding and must often were sold to customers in Israel. A recent to preserve it as place of significance of find a research partner outside of the boycott from Palestinians has hurt business Jewish and even Christian heritage. In territories on many projects to access tremendously but seems counter intuitive fact, hundreds of Christians from around grants. Two projects show that the AU since many of the companies employ the world volunteer to harvest grapes at is trying to be a good neighbor to all of Arabs at far higher salaries than they various wineries in the region. the region’s residents. With a very low life can find in their own towns. Discussion It was another short ride, this time west expectancy in the northern Shomron, due from Palestinian authorities to have along Route 5 before we reached Ariel to the cancer causing fumes that are a by Arab workers quit their job never went University, the only Israeli university product of the dominant charcoal industry, anywhere as they provide some of the best in the region. The university just went the university has been developing new opportunities for thousands of Palestinians through the lengthy process of obtaining charcoal processing procedures to protect who get along quite well with the Jewish its accreditation recently transitioning Arab workers and residents from fumes co-workers who both get paid the same from being a college. It’s expanding faculty, that lower the life expectancy for those in for the same jobs and there are Arabs the amount of world renown research, who are even managers overseeing both its offering of graduate and doctoral Arab and Jewish workers. Employees also programs all played a part in it not only socialize together at company outings and becoming a local hub for students in the politics seem to stay outside the workplace region but drawing students from all over even during tense times such as the recent Israel and starting to attract students Pillars of Defense conflict with Gaza. from overseas including a special track for This kind of economic cooperation is MBA students from Russia. The President seen by some as one ray of hope how the of the University, Dr. Yehuda Danon, region may evolve into a perceived place is also the former Surgeon General of of peaceful coexistence and even symbiotic Israel. He asserted that the university synergy and not the depository of despair has had no problem attracting quality that is portrayed often by people who never faculty to instruct its expanding student set foot in the area to talk to its residents. body of close to 15,000 students, 2,000 of whom live on campus in dorms. With its “Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in new and expanding programs, Dr. Danon touching them with your hands. But like the believes aspiring academics have a greater seafaring man on the desert of waters, you probability of quicker career opportunities Meeting between the President choose them as your guides, and following than they might at older universities of Ariel University and the them you will reach your destiny.”- Carl with more entrenched professors. The Diplomatic Club Mission Schurz, 1859. university has only touched on its potential 10 The Diplomatic Club Magazine Middle East Digest

James Bond Car And Batmobile Arrive In Tel Aviv

Israelis are getting a little taste of Hollywood right in their backyard, according to a statement released by “AutoMotor”. The “AutoMotor” exhibition, which opened in Tel Aviv on July, offers Israelis and tourists, a close look at 14 vehicles and motorcycles that starred in highly popular Hollywood movies over the years. The main attraction of the exhibition of course, is the legendary Batmobile. However, the vehicle through which Batman saved Gotham City, did not come to Israel alone. The car that starred on the Dark Knight movie series, came to visit along with James Bond’s Land Rover and even the motorcycle from the Harry Potter series. Due to the high cost of the insurance, $1 million, spectators can only look and not sit in the seat where Batman sat. Exhibition organizers promise that some of the vehicles can drive really fast, but due to the high cost, the vehicles will remain stationary, so there is no chance that Israelis will see the Batmobile stuck in traffic on the Ayalon highway.

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Diplomatic Events U.S. EMbassy independence day Ukranian Embassy Celebration

The Ukrainian Embassy held a reception in honor of its National day, celebrating 22 years of independence. Ambassador Hennadii Nadolenko and Mrs. Nadolenko, received each guest personally with a warm handshake. Among the distinguished guests were Israel’s Minister of Immigration Absorption, Sofa Landver, Deputy Foreign Minister MK Zeev Elkin, members of the diplomatic staff of the foreign embassies in Israel and Israeli executives.

The U.S. Embassy held a celebration in honor of July 4th, United States Independence Day.

Fireworks marking the occasion

Slovenian film in holon French National Day

The Haifa Film Festival at Haifa Cinematheque will be screening The French Consulate General in Jerusalem celebrated French the Slovene film “Dance in the Rain” by Boštjan Hladnik. National Day in the Old City of Jerusalem. It commemorates the The festival will take place 18-29 September, 2013. 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the For more information, please visit: http://www.haifaff.co.il storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789. Also coming up: “Opening of the exhibition Other people’s The celebration was held with the participation of a group of problems: Conflicts and Paradoxes” at the Herzliya Museum Palestinian government ministers, clerics and figures of the of Contemporary Art. Palestinian private sector and the French and foreigners. The installation “Corpse of Art” by Slovene artist collective The French representative thanked the French Consul General IRWIN will be presented at the exhibition, opening on Frederic Desagneaux, in his speech on this occasion, the participation September 7, 2013. of the audience from the Palestinian government and politicians.

Slovene film “Dance in the Rain”

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Movie Festival

States of minds: American French National Day independent film festival

States of Minds is an incorporated non- understanding of diverse societies among profit organization based in Washington countries of cultural similarities and D.C. differences. In collaboration with leading diplomatic, Through States of Minds media (film, cultural, and educational institutions in television, and social media), technology the United States and abroad, the goal of and educational programs, assumptions States of Minds is to facilitate a “meeting about other cultures will be challenged, of minds” between the United States and perceptions confronted, and country-to- other countries. country relationships furthered. By engaging This year States of Minds aims to promote both the public cultural exchange, understanding, and and private cooperation between the United States and sector, States Israel through an American Film Festival of Minds in Tel Aviv. seeks to foster Tickets are on sale through the Lev and promote Cinema website. positive social impact and a greater The Diplomatic Club Magazine 13 Diplomatic Events

President Peres Receives New ambassadors

President Peres welcomed several new ambassadors to Israel recently, including Mr. Devanand (Dave) Noel Sharma of Australia, Mr. Jesper Vahr of Denmark, and Ms. Winnie Anna Kiap of Papua New Guinea.

Photo credit to Mark Neiman.

Mr. Jesper Vahr of Denmark

Ms. Winnie Anna Kiap of Papua New Guinea

Mr. Devanand (Dave) Noel Sharma of Australia

Mr. Jesper Vahr of Denmark

14 The Diplomatic Club Magazine Diplomatic Events

Welcoming the Jewish new year

President Shimon Peres, at his Jerusalem residence, hosted a the right to. I believe it will reach an end because moral borders reception and toast for the Jewish New Year with the foreign are not less important that physical borders. Physical borders can ambassadors in Israel. The President delivered remarks in which be crossed by missiles, moral ones cannot be crossed. You are either he addressed the tension in Syria, the Israeli-Palestinian peace wrong or right.” negotiations and other major diplomatic issues while stressing Addressing the resumption of peace talks between Israel and the again that Israel has no part in the Syrian conflict but would Palestinians President Peres said, “We begin this year with good defend itself if attacked, “”If Syria attacks us we will overcome news and bad news. The good news is that the peace process has them and that is why I believe it won’t happen. We have enough been renewed. It wasn’t simple for the Prime Minister of Israel, of a deterrent, enough strength and defense. We have one of who had to overcome serious problems, who has had to take a risk the best security infrastructures and one of the best militaries and to embark upon the desired but also the unknown. He did in the modern world.” it, he did it rightly and I think he, and his government, deserves President Peres addressed the killing in Syria and said, “Assad our appreciation. Abu Mazen continues to be against terror, he has lost the right to be a leader by killing a hundred thousand continues to strive for peace and I think he has shown courage by people. He caused it. He wasn’t elected properly, it was never saying that though he’s from Safed he won’t return there which is a real democracy but even in a democracy you don’t have the a meaningful declaration. Before the start of negotiations there was right to kill your own people. Assad will disappear one way a great deal of doubt but the fact that the two parties are talking is or the other.” a victory for reason, I hope we shall continue.” On President Obama’s decision regarding an American attack “We used to live in a world where children buried their fathers on Syria, President Peres said, “War is a very serious business who fought in war but to see babies being killed by their own ruler, and I would suggest to every leader to think as much as they I do not believe that any human being can pass over it without can before rather than afterwards. I admire President Obama’s considering it as the worst demonstration of evil. The peace process attempt to examine every possibility to bring this horrible has been given nine months so at least we have nine months of situation to an end. None of us can ignore it; we do not have optimism.”

Photo credit: Mark Neiman

The Diplomatic Club Magazine 15 Rubrika

During the last 65 years

Technology job of harvesting. GPS. • A small Israel company called Lenslet • The new American state-of-the-art • Israel has designed the first flight system has developed a revolutionary electro-optic F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft will be to protect passenger and freighter aircraft processor which operates one thousand equipped with Israeli-developed mounted against missile attack. times faster than any known Digital Signal display systems in their helmets which • Israel produces more scientific papers Processor. incorporate and display all vital flight data. per capita than any other nation by a large • An Israeli-developed algorithm enabled • Israeli mini-unmanned aerial vehicles margin – 109 per 10,000 people – as well NASA to transmit images from Mars. are being used by US forces in Iraq and as one of the highest per capita rates of Afghanistan. patents filed. • Israel hosts IBM’s largest R&D facilities outside the United States. • Intel has sold more than $5 billion worth • In proportion to its population, Israel has of the Israeli-developed Centrino chipsets the largest number of startup companies in • Israeli researchers have developed an since they were introduced in March 2003. the world. In absolute terms, Israel has the engineless, nano-RPV (remote piloted largest number of startup companies than vehicle). • An Israeli company has developed the any other country in the world, except the • The U.S. Marines in Iraq are using an world’s first video ringtones for cell phones US (3,500 companies mostly in hi-tech). Israel-developed hand-held computer for – the Vringo. • Israel is ranked #2 in the world for communication purposes. • Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) venture capital funds right behind the US. • Israel engineers are behind the technology was pioneered in Israel. • According to industry officials, Israel development of the largest communications • Bill Gates called Israel a major player in designed the airline industry’s most router in the world, launched by Cisco. the high tech world. impenetrable flight security. U.S. officials • Israeli air force pilot technology is being • Intel’s new multi-core processor was now look to Israel for advice on how to used to train American college basketball completely developed at its facilities in handle airborne security threats. and hockey players. Israel. • Israel has the highest percentage in the • An Israeli physicist-turned-inventor has • Motorola has its largest R&D center world of home computers per capita. developed the world’s first air-conditioned outside of the US in Israel. • Israel leads the world in the number of motorcycle. • Most of the Windows NT operating scientists and technicians in the workforce, • Millions of American youngsters will system was developed by Microsoft-Israel. with 145 per 10,000, as opposed to 85 in soon be able to surf safely in Internet chat • The Pentium MMX Chip technology the U.S., over 70 in Japan, and less than 60 rooms thanks to Israeli technology. was designed in Israel at Intel. in Germany. With over 25% of its work • Jerusalem-based SnapKeys is bringing • Voice mail technology was developed force employed in technical professions. smart phone users a whole new way to type in Israel. Israel places first in this category as well. ñ with an invisible keyboard. • Both Microsoft and Cisco built their only • The first PC anti-virus software was • A new Israeli iPhone and iPad app called R&D facilities outside the US in Israel. developed in Israel in 1979. GroupShot flawlessly cobbles together the • The technology for AOL Instant • AirTrain JFK – the 8.1-mile light rail best images from a variety of group shots Messenger was developed in 1996 by labyrinth that connects JFK Airport where somebody’s blinking, yawning or four young Israelis. to New York City’s mass transit – is clowning. • With more than 3,000 high-tech protected by the Israeli-developed Nextiva • A winning proposal by Israel’s Technion companies and start-ups, Israel has surveillance system. Institute of Technology and Cornell the highest concentration of high-tech • An Israeli company M-Systems was University will form the basis of the future companies in the world (apart from the the first to patent and introduce the disk NYTechinstitute in the Big Apple. Silicon Valley). on key. • An Israeli smart phone app already in use • Prof. Robert Aumann is the fourth Israeli • A team of Israeli and US researchers worldwide enables drivers to avoid jams, in the last four years to win a Nobel Prize. has designed a watermelon-picking robot and navigate their way through crowded endowed with artificial vision to do the city streets, using data from their phone’s • Israeli technology is behind the successful 16 The Diplomatic Club Magazine Middle East Digest

testing of in-flight cell phone use. • Israeli researchers are using video impotence. games to investigate future treatments for Health • The founder of the Cancer Prevention memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Wellness Program at New York’s • Israeli scientists developed the first fully disease. prestigious Memorial Sloan-Kettering computerized, no-radiation, diagnostic • An Israeli company has developed sensors Cancer Center is Israeli. instrumentation for breast cancer. that pick up signs of stress in plants. • Between 150 to 200 multinational clinical • An Israeli company developed a • Israeli medical researchers have shown trials are regularly taking place in Israel. computerized system for ensuring proper that lycopene – the red pigment found in • An Israeli company is the world’s leading administration of medications, thus tomatoes – lowers blood pressure. sleep disorder sensors manufacturer. removing human error from medical • Israeli stem-cell technology is being used • Israeli scientists have created a DNA treatment. in the U.S. to regenerate heart tissue. nano-computer that not only detects Every year in U.S. hospitals 7,000 patients • An Israeli company has developed cancer, but also releases drugs to treat the die from treatment mistakes. a device that could enable millions of disease. • Israel’s Given Imaging developed the American diabetics to painlessly inject • An Israeli doctor claims that he first ingestible video camera, so small it themselves with insulin. has succeeded in developing a female fits inside a pill. • Scientists in Israel have used strands of equivalent to Viagra called Sheagra. The camera, which views the small DNA to create tiny transistors that can • A newly developed Israeli cooking oil is intestine from the inside, helps doctors literally build themselves. capable of breaking up blood fats such as diagnose cancer and digestive disorders. • Israeli research shows that a tonsillectomy cholesterol. • Researchers in Israel developed a new could be the key to solving sleep apnea in • Israeli scientists have alleviated device that directly helps the heart children. Parkinson’s-like symptoms in rats. pump blood, an innovation with the • An Israeli company has developed a new • Israeli scientists are developing a nose potential to save lives among those with device for monitoring coronary disease that drop that will provide a five-year flu congestive heart failure. The new device is will be integrated into future generations vaccine. synchronized with the heart’s mechanical of cell phones. operations through a sophisticated system • Israeli researchers are successfully using • An Israeli has invented a ‘bone glue’ that of sensors. magnets to treat post-traumatic stress will reduce the need for bone transplants disorder. • A new acne treatment developed in and heal bone defects caused by cancer. Israel, the ClearLight device, produces • An Israeli vaccine for West Nile virus is • Israeli researchers have found a a high-intensity, ultraviolet-light-free, being tested in the U.S. connection between sleep apnea and narrow-band blue light that causes acne • Israeli scientists have discovered how to bacteria to self-destruct – all without damaging surroundings skin or tissue. • Christopher Reeve called Israel the “world center” for research on paralysis treatment. • Israeli research has shown that dancers display consistent differences from the general population in two key genes. • Israeli researchers are playing an important role in identifying a defective gene that causes a rare and usually fatal disease in Arab infants. • An Israeli company has been given a U.S. grant to develop an anti-smallpox first aid treatment kit. • Israeli microbiologists have developed the first passive vaccine against the mosquito- Photo by Renoir Gaither borne West Nile virus.

The Diplomatic Club Magazine 17 Middle East Digest

turn mismatched cells into cancer fighters. harvested from the patients own fat. • In a breakthrough in male infertility, • An Israeli-developed device can • Israel has one of the most progressive Israeli researchers have developed an painlessly administer medications through medical marijuana programs in the world. artificial testis to produce sperm. microscopic pores in the skin. For thousands of Israelis suffering cancer, • Israeli scientists have developed a • Israeli researchers have shown that a daily MS, Crohn’s and chronic pain, pot provides genetically engineered cleaning solution dosage of Vitamin E is effective in helping vital relief. that makes today’s deadly new strains of to regain hearing loss. • A 91-year-old scientist has developed a superbugs resistant to antibiotics. • Israeli researchers have created a simple bedside test that can detect killer Superbugs are now the leading cause of ‘biological pacemaker’ which corrects faulty superbugs in minutes, rather than days, preventable death in the developed world. heart rhythms when injected into the providing one of the most potent weapons • Israeli research has found that citrus oils failing hearts of pigs. against hospital-borne infections to date. may hold the key for asthma treatment. • Two Israelis have won the 2004 • An Israeli pharma company is testing an • An Israeli study has shown that anger Nobel Prize for Chemistry for their advanced weapon against pancreatic and may trigger strokes. prostate cancer. groundbreaking work in cancer research. • An Israeli study has shown that people • An Israeli-developed elderberry extract is • An Israeli ‘super-sensor’ has been installed who suffer from job burnout may be prone one of America’s best-selling flu prevention in Sealy mattresses to control snoring to developing type 2 diabetes. problems. medicines. • An Israeli scientific team from the • An Israeli computer program has been • An Israeli discovery of a gene that Technion has succeeded in creating in clinically proven to accurately provide a could cure a blinding eye disease has been the laboratory beating heart tissue from prognosis of how effective chemotherapy licensed by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. human embryonic stem cells will be for breast cancer patients. • The success of GlaxoSmithKline’s once- • Israeli infectious disease experts have • Israeli medical teams are training a-day breast cancer pill Tykerb – which been recruited by the World Health Ethiopian doctors to fight AIDS. has won approval by the FDA for use by Organization to help prevent the spread women with metastatic or advanced breast • An Israeli team has made medical history of avian flu. cancer – is thanks in part to clinical trials with its ability to transform skin stem cells • Israeli scientists have found that a drug conducted by Israeli researchers. from heart-disease patients into healthy once used to treat vertigo can now help heart tissue. • An Israeli innovation could make many people lose weight. diagnostic catheterizations for clogged • An Israeli biotech company can generate • Israeli laser technology is powering arteries unnecessary. healthy new bone using stem cells the latest hair removal devices on the American market. • A team of Israeli genetic researchers has identified a genetic defect that causes a severe neurodegenerative disease in Bedouin children resulting in premature death. • A team from the Weizmann Institute has demonstrated for the first time how tissues transplanted from pig embryos might, in the future, be able to induce the human body to produce blood-clotting proteins for hemophilia patients. • Israeli researchers have discovered a new way to create effective substitutes for antibiotics based on a combination of amino acids and fatty acids. • An artificial pancreas developed in Israel could revolutionize diabetic care by monitoring blood sugar levels and Elderberries, photo by Oilbac delivering insulin automatically, even at 18 The Diplomatic Club Magazine Middle East Digest

• The Weizmann Institute of Science has Photo by Ricketyus been voted the best university in the world for life scientists to conduct research. • On a per capita basis, Israel has the largest number of biotech start-ups. • An Israeli doctor headed the Merck team that developed a vaccine against cervical cancer.

Environment

• An Israeli inventor has developed the world’s first cardboard bicycle from recycled materials. The bike is resistant to rain and sun, and costs around $9 each. • Israel has the largest raptor migration in the world, with hundreds of thousands of African birds of prey crossing as they fan out into Asia. • Israeli engineers and agriculturalists developed a revolutionary drip irrigation system to minimize the amount of water used to grow crops. night. lowering the mortality rate of Ethiopian • An Israeli company was the first to • An Israeli system to help dyslexic readers children infected with the AIDS/HIV develop and install a large-scale solar- is being used throughout the US and virus. powered and fully functional electricity Europe. • Israeli companies are going to require generating plant, in southern California’s • An Israeli company has developed a models in their advertisements to take tests Mojave Desert. device that helps nurses locate hard-to- to insure that they have a normal BMI • An Israeli company is providing the find veins. (Body mass index). technology behind an American all-electric • A portable electrocardiograph machine • An Israeli company has developed bus for urban use. developed by Israeli company SHL can a simple blood test that distinguishes • Some 500 million birds representing 300 transmit highly detailed data on heart between mild and more severe cases of MS. species migrate across Israel’s skies twice activity to physicians by mobile phone. • Israeli scientists have discovered the a year in the autumn and spring along the • Israeli startup Audiodent has developed cause of chronic bad breath and a painless Great Valley Rift. an innovative hearing aid that clips easily solution. • Israeli biologists have successfully inside the mouth, using the teeth and • Hawaiian singer Don Ho underwent an managed, for the first time, to prepare the jawbone to transmit sound to the brain. Israeli-developed stem cell treatment to flowering of the “Madonna Lily” – a rare • Israeli researchers are developing the strengthen his heart. white Easter lily – in time for Easter. second generation of drugs to treat diseases • An Israeli company has unveiled a blood • An Israeli company – Evogene – is like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. test that can diagnose heart attacks via the developing cotton plants that are resistant • Israeli company Ultrashape has developed telephone. to adverse salinity conditions and drought. a safe replacement for liposuction – a • The Israeli-developed Ex-Press shunt is • An Israeli company has developed the unique new body-contouring device that providing relief for American glaucoma world’s first jellyfish repellent. “blasts” unwanted fat from the body. sufferers. • An Israeli two-flush system is saving • Israeli research has shown that dancers • An Israeli research team has found that Americans billions of gallons of water a display consistent differences from the the combination of electrical stimulation year. general population in two key genes. and chemotherapy makes cancerous • Drinking water for visitors to India’s Taj • An Israeli-initiated project is drastically metastases disappear. Mahal has just got a great deal safer thanks

The Diplomatic Club Magazine 19 Middle East Digest

to Israelis Aqwise, which will be purifying the end of changing your car oil. commuters and travelers across the country. 150,000 cubes of water daily from the city’s Culture • Israel annually exports more than 1.5 nearby Yamuna River. billion flowers to the US and Europe. • A new IBM-Israel partnership is helping • Israel has the highest ratio of university • The Israeli film ‘Sweet Mud’ won the toward a goal of reducing California water degrees to the population in the world. jury prize for world cinema at the 2007 usage by 20 percent by the year 2020. • Israel has the highest average living Sundance Film Festival. • Israel’s Univerve is breeding a strain of standards in the Middle East. The per • Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers was algae to fuel your car. capita income in 2000 was over $17,500, produced by Haim Saban, an Israeli whose • Israel’s Etenergy can get 40 percent more exceeding that of the UK. family fled persecution in Egypt. power from the sun with lightweight solar • Israel’s $100 billion economy is larger • Israel has the world’s second highest per energy trackers based on the principles of than all of its immediate neighbors capita of new books. kite surfing. combined. • Israel has more museums per capita than • For many years, conservationists believed • Twenty-four percent of Israel’s workforce any other country. Israel’s Hula painted frog was extinct holds university degrees – ranking third in • Israel has two official languages: Hebrew after its swampy habitat was drained in the industrialized world, after the United and Arabic. the 1950s. Now, the frog has been found States and Holland – and 12 percent hold alive and jumping in the Hula valley after advanced degrees. massive conservation efforts. • Israel has the third highest rate of Travel • Israel is one of the leading countries in entrepreneurship – and the highest rate providing ornamental fish to aquariums among women and among people over • The Waldorf-Astoria luxury hotel in around the world. 55 – in the world. Jerusalem hired eco-builders from a tiny kibbutz in Israel’s Negev Desert to provide • NASA is interested in knowing what • Over 50 million Israeli flowers were sent the interior touches. Israeli researchers can learn about to Europe for sale on Valentine’s Day. conditions on Mars by studying the Negev • Tel Aviv has been named a UNESCO desert. World Heritage Site. People • Israel is the only country in the world • Laplanders from Norway turned to the • A group of 40 American sheriffs were that entered the 21st century with a net Hebrew University of Jerusalem to learn in Israel last week to learn about Israeli gain in its number of trees. how to revitalize their traditional language. counter-terrorism techniques. • An Israeli company has developed a • Israeli artists have developed new bus • A 26-year-old Israeli was named nano-lubricant that one day could mean stop libraries available free of charge to entrepreneur of the year by an international organization for his program to nurture Negev, photo by Chalky Lives future engineers using advanced Lego building skills. • Israeli basketball star Shay Doron helped the University of Maryland win the women’s college basketball championship. • An Israeli strategist has guided numerous UK sporting organizations to new heights with his ‘Winning Formula’. • An Israeli ornithologist is utilizing barn owls to rid large cities of rodent problems. Social Action • Israel is the only liberal democracy in the Middle East. • In 1984 and 1991, Israel airlifted a total of 22,000 Ethiopian Jews at risk in Ethiopia to safety in Israel. • When Gold Meir was elected Prime 20 The Diplomatic Club Magazine Middle East Digest

develop a horticultural production system called the African Market Garden (AMG). • Israeli researchers have solved the mystery of Lenin’s death. • Over 20 Israeli companies provided security and services for the 2004 Olympic games in Athens. • Children injured in the school siege in Beslan, Russia in 2004 were able to convalesce at an Israeli coastal resort in Ashkelon – at the invitation of that city’s mayor. • Israel has one of the world’s only playgrounds totally suitable for special needs children. • A 100-member Israeli delegation flew to Kenya to rescue survivors of a building collapse. • When the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya was bombed in 1998, Israeli rescue Drip Irrigation, photo by the USDA teams were on the scene within a day – and saved three victims from the rubble. • An Israeli company – Patus Ltd. – has Minister of Israel in 1969, she became programs aimed at teaching tolerance is donated thousands of its OdorScreen the world’s second elected female leader being produced and broadcast in Israel, olfactory gel product to counter the in modern times. Jordan, and in the Palestinian Authority. crippling odors faced by on-scene Tsunami • Relative to its population, Israel is the • A joint Israeli-Palestinian expedition disaster workers. largest immigrant-absorbing nation recently scaled a peak in Antarctica in the Some facts that made us proud of Israel, on earth. Immigrants come in search name of coexistence. brought together by ISRAEL21c . of democracy, religious freedom, and • Israel has helped farmers in Niger economic opportunity. • Israel was the first nation in the world to adopt the Kimberly process, Operation Solomon, Aliyah an international standard that certifies of Ethiopian Jews. Photo by Tzvika Israeli. diamonds as “conflict free.” • Israel is becoming integrally involved in helping to reshape the post-war Iraqi landscape? • An Israeli medical delegation from the ‘Save a Child’s Heart’ project recently spent two weeks in China performing open heart surgery on children. • Israeli-developed security precautions have been adopted in Maryland and Washington. • A week-old Iraqi infant underwent an emergency operation in Israel to correct a congenital heart defect. • A new generation of “Sesame Street”

The Diplomatic Club Magazine 21 Middle East Digest skytran: tel aviv builds the levitating public transit of the future

Tel Aviv is set to become the world’s other kinds of public transport. Stations for first city with the magnetically levitating the systems, comprising simply a staircase Skytran system of mass transit, described and platform, are spaced so that the by its developers as ‘the jetsons made average distance from a hub to any point into real life’. designed to reduce urban in the covered area will be within about traffic congestion, skytran would provide one quarter mile, although larger hubs a greener, less expensive, faster, and more could provide service in major existing comfortable alternative to cars and bus metropolitan centers. When boarding and lines through the use of personal two- discharging passengers, pods utilize a side seater pods in a point-to-point service ‘acceleration line’ track so as not to block which travelers can use to reach specific up traffic. destinations. A vehicle is requested via The pods are built of composite materials website or mobile app and arrives almost to be lightweight and thus easily instantly. The traveler boards, having supportable. Like a tram, the vehicles are already entered the desired stop, and the powered via electric current running from pod glides there directly. In this way, above; Jerry Sanders, CEO of Skytran, says Skytran also provides a possible solution that these guideways will eventually be to the last mile problem encountered in outfitted with solar panels, making Skytran most public transit networks. the revolutionary technology. a nearly energy net neutral system of public The system was co-developed by Whereas creating or expanding transit. Magnetic levitation, enabled by engineers from NASA and the private underground metro systems is disruptive the presence of a magnet in each pod company skytran, based at NASA’s ames and expensive, the Skytran pods move and an induction coil within the Skyway, research center in California, where a full- on a guideway suspended 20 feet above minimizes the effects of friction for a quiet scale working Skytran is currently under ground, making use of untouched vertical and smooth ride, and while the cars can construction. Tel Aviv, the first city to begin real estate. modular construction methods run at speeds up to 150mph (241km/hr), implementing the Maglev system, has just means that the actual installation of a their actual speed will be considerably less appointed US consultancy Jenkins Gales Skytran system greatly reduces both cost than that in urban environments and as & Martinez to oversee the introduction of and time compared to the construction of travelers become accustomed to the system. Skytran’s CEO Jerry Sanders estimates that while the cost of a Skytran trip would be slightly more expensive than a bus because of its more private enclosure, it would remain less than a comparable trip in a taxi, in addition to being faster. Alongside Tel Aviv, other cities in Israel, as well as in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the USA have all expressed interest in installing Skytran networks. Skytran runs on no set schedule; travelers request a pod by specifying their desired starting and ending locations via app.

All images courtesy of Skytran: http://www.skytran.net/overview.html 22 The Diplomatic Club Magazine Excellence starts with E The new Mercedes E-Class

* Starting from 394,900 NIS סמסונוב נטלר גליקמן נטלר סמסונוב

גליקמן נטלר סמסונוב

E-Class: Technologically outstanding. The new line of changes in the E-class model have caused a shockwave among technological experts. But first and foremeost, the E-Class promises you , the dirver, a more comfortable and safer ride. The Attention Assist system that can detect when drivers start to become drowsy and prompt them to take a break before it's too late. The CPA is designed to help drivers avoid or mitigate longitudinal accidents, and in the event of an unvavoidable crash, the PRE-SAFE system reduces the severity of the crash. Additionally, the LED lighting and reverse camera come as standard. You are invited to view this technonlogical marvel in person.

For further details, call *9996 | www.mercedes-benz.co.il

Prices are for the E200 Elegance model. Price is for cash payment only, does not include licensing payment, location system, picture is for illustrative purposes only. Errors are not the responsiblity of the dealership.

Pollution Levels Gas consumption in Liters per 100km Model Pollution Levels 9 5.8-6.1 Extra Urban 7.5-7.7 Urban E200 Minimal 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Maximal 8 5.8-6.1 Extra Urban 7.5-7.7 Urban E250 *Manufacturerʼs statistics, according to lab test. Standard EEC/80/1268 7 6.8-7.0 Extra Urban 9.5 Urban E300 **Level is calculation according to “Clean Air” standards. (disclosure of air statistics 14 7.5-7.9 Extra Urban 10.4-10.8 Urban E400 of vehicles in advertising), 2009. Hotel

The Royal Beach Tel Aviv, part of the Isrotel Exclusive Collection

The Royal Beach Tel Aviv opened its doors utmost luxury within this incredible “city worldwide. Klein’s cutting-edge hotel to eager guests this summer. Ideally located that never sleeps”. concepts draw together the delights of on Herbert Samuel St. by the famous On its opening, the hotel was admitted contemporary, advanced design techniques beachfront promenade, it’s just a leisurely to the prestigious Isrotel Exclusive and the desire to provide guests with stroll from the city’s major entertainment Collection, joining the chain’s other luxury the ultimate sensation of relaxation and and dining destinations. hotels: the impressive Royal Beach Eilat, pampering. In a Klein design, even the Tel Aviv was recently praised by the 2012 the pampering Carmel Forest Spa Resort, smallest details are given full consideration, Lonely Planet guide as “one of the world’s the spectacular Beresheet on the edge of which naturally makes all the difference. most vibrant cities… San Francisco in the Ramon Crater, and the new Cramim This unique hotel’s wide variety of rooms the Middle East”, and the city itself spa hotel in the Jerusalem hills, which will and suites appeals to every visitor to the does more than live up to those words. also open this summer. big city – businesspeople, honeymooning This cosmopolitan city offers visitors a As it towers to a height of 23 stories, the couples, and vacationing families, all of full spectrum of cultural, entertainment, hotel dominates the Tel Aviv shoreline and whom will arrive to find precisely the artistic, dining, and shopping options in the surrounding landscape. Its rooms offer hospitality style that suits them perfectly. addition to the opportunity to marvel at views of the turquoise Mediterranean Sea Ranging from 26m² to 95m² in size, the the stunningly beautiful Mediterranean and the beautiful urban cityscape of Tel spacious rooms and suites all overlook the shoreline. Aviv. The promenade and beach are just a sea, and most also include an attractive The Royal Beach Tel Aviv is a particularly minute from the hotel. balcony. Each balcony features comfortable significant addition to Isrotel’s range of The hotel’s 230 lavish suites and rooms furnishings that tempt every guest to hotels throughout Israel and the Isrotel are the creations of master international surrender to complete enjoyment of the chain feels immensely privileged to have hotel designer Harald Klein, who has blue sea, impressive views of Tel Aviv, this opportunity to host its guests in the left his distinctive mark on urban hotels and the captivating golden sunsets every

24 The Diplomatic Club Magazine Hotel

evening. In addition to its rooms, the hotel excels in its public areas. The large, impressive lobby can be found on the entrance level. In this remarkable 4-story lobby you will find a range of comfortable seating corners, with the crown jewel the large and stylish bar designed according to the finest traditions of the grandest city hotel bars worldwide. This splendid entrance level also boasts an extremely lavish, spacious restaurant including a terrace (stretching over an overall area of 700m²) that looks out over the sea and beach. Here, guests will be served kosher meals throughout the day and evening, enjoying a delightfully varied breakfast and elegant brunch, as well as particularly excellent lunch and dinner menus that will delight connoisseurs in line with the outstanding culinary tradition practiced at Isrotel hotels throughout Israel. On the entrance level of the hotel, guests will also benefit from two events halls equipment, these halls are suitable for with an overall area of 460m² (the halls small and medium-sized conferences as can be divided). Outfitted with the most well as brainstorming meetings, board Royal Beach Tel Aviv sophisticated, up-to-date audiovisual meetings, and more.

The Diplomatic Club Magazine 25 Royal Beach Tel Aviv

Royal Beach Eilat Cramim Carmel Forest Beresheet Rubrika

“Israel Through Foreign Lenses”

photography contest