May 29/2015

The Shameful Act of Politicizing Sport

This week we witnessed a shameful example of an organization with a worthy agenda and global mission being tragically distorted for the sole purpose of bashing the state of Israel.

Today, FIFA – the international soccer association –was scheduled to vote on suspending the Israel Football Association from the world body, while I am pleased that Israel’s international effort proved successful and a compromise was reached. It is all too often the case that the Palestinian Authority seeks to poison the international arena and use it against Israel.

This Palestinian provocation joins the unilateral steps that the Palestinians are taking at other international institutions. So long as they take these steps they will only push peace further away instead of bringing it closer. The State of Israel is interested in a peace that will ensure security for its citizens but this will not be achieved through coercion and distorting the truth. The only way to achieve peace is to begin negotiations.

At a time when the international community is calling for confidence-building measures, the Palestinians are once again replying with an attempt to carry out unilateral steps that harm the ability to advance a regional settlement. The shameful politicizing of sport which took place this week is the most recent example of that ongoing conduct.

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

May 22/2015

The significance of “Yom Yerushalayim” – Jerusalem Day

As we head into the holiday of Shavuot next week, we should highlight an equally significant holiday we celebrated earlier this week - the commemoration of the 48th anniversary of Jerusalem Day, when Jerusalem was united under Israeli rule -19 years after the establishment of the State of Israel, 2,000 years after Jerusalem had been conquered by the Roman Empire, and 3,000 years after it was proclaimed the capital of the Jewish Kingdom under King David. 

For thousands of years Jerusalem has been at the core of our Jewish being. No matter where in the four corners of the earth Jewish communities were scattered, what language they spoke and what society they lived in, the return to Jerusalem was the focus of our prayers and yearnings.

Jerusalem bound us together as a Jewish people in the past, and it binds us as we chart our course into the future. When we get married, we not only wed our future to a new life partner, but also to Jerusalem, which has been our life partner for the past 3,000 years, as we recite from Psalm 137:5  "If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.  If I do not remember you, let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.”

Today we are living in an era when the words of our prophets are literally being fulfilled, as Jerusalem once again serves as the capital of the Jewish people under Jewish rule, and its streets are filled with and bustling with life. 

For thousands of years, the land of Israel and Jerusalem, as our capital, united and galvanized us as a people. When we finally regain sovereignty over our ancestral land and capital, the State of Israel and Jerusalem will continue being the central pillar of our Jewish existence.

Hag Shavuot Sameah,

Yaron Sideman

Consul General of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic Region

May 15/2015

Israel's 34th Government Sworn In

This week, Israel's 34th government was officially sworn in, culminating a process that began with  general elections in March, followed by negotiations between the various parties to form a coalition government.

This dynamic process underscores Israel's vibrant democracy and pluralistic society. Israel's new government will encounter many old challenges as well as new ones, both internal and external. In the past, we have successfully met challenges when facing them as a united, determined and resolved people and society. United, determined and resolved we shall, together, meet the challenges ahead and continue strengthening the State of Israel as a beacon of freedom, equality and democracy and as a valued, respected and contributing member of the international community. 

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

May 08/2015

The Meaning of Lag Ba'Omer

This week we celebrated the Jewish holiday of Lag Ba’Omer, which takes place on the 33^rd day of the “Omer” – the period between the holidays of Passover and Shavuot. One of the most colorful features of Lag Ba’Omer in our days is the lighting of bonfires, symbolizing the short-lived victory of the Jews led by Bar Kochba against the Roman Empire almost 2,000 years ago. The heroism behind that rebellion, signifying the determination of the Jewish people living in Israel to attain religious and national freedom, fills us with pride to this day, pride which is reflected in the sight of the numerous bonfires lit across the land.

Today, when the religious and national freedoms Bar Kochba and his men were fighting for have been attained through the establishment of the State of Israel, that pride takes on another dimension. We celebrate not only Israel’s existence, but its many accomplishments as well in areas of science, innovation, business and culture, to name a few. These stem from the single most important resource Israel has, the same resource that led to the Bar Kochba revolt in the year 132 – our human resources. This Lag Ba’Omer is a good time for us to appreciate and continue cultivating this precious resource. 

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

May 01/2015

Nepal Matters

This week, Nepal’s Foreign Minister thanked Israel’s Foreign Minister for the extensive aid Israel has provided following the devastating earthquake that hit their country on Saturday April 25th. In the past few days, Israel has sent shipments of medical and humanitarian aid, established a field hospital, and dispatched search and rescue teams throughout the region. Israel’s Foreign Minister has assured his Nepalese counterpart that in addition to immediate emergency assistance, Israel is committed to Nepal's long term reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Upon receiving the first reports of the earthquake, Israel immediately initiated the supply of emergency humanitarian aid. The first Israeli rescue plane landed in Kathmandu on Sunday (April 26th). On the same day, Magen David Adom (Israel's Red Cross) sent a plane to Nepal with a delegation of doctors and paramedics.

A 260 member mission from the Home Front Command was sent to Nepal on Monday (April 27th), arriving in five planes and, loaded with emergency aid.

The mission rapidly established and opened an advanced multi-department hospital in Kathmandu, equipped with approximately 95 tons of humanitarian and medical supplies from Israel and a medical staff of 122 doctors, nurses and paramedics, to provide care for disaster casualties. The hospital has the equipment, capacity and manpower to treat approximately 200 patients each day.

The mission also comprises highly skilled search and rescue teams from the IDF National Search and Rescue Unit, who commenced operations in Kathmandu on Tuesday (April 28th).

Last week we celebrated Israel’s Independence Day. Chief among the many qualities and achievements Israel has amassed in its 67 years of existence is establishing itself as a proud, respected and most importantly, a contributing member of the international community, committed to sharing its expertise and knowhow with other countries in need.

Israel has demonstrated that commitment time and time again over the years in the international arena, assisting countries in the immediate aftermath of both natural and man-made disasters. In the recent past, Israeli emergency aid missions have provided vital assistance to the Philippines, Japan, Haiti, and other disaster-stricken countries.

This week and for the foreseeable future, this commitment is being demonstrated in the immediate and extensive aid Israel is providing Nepal, putting into practice the Jewish value of “Tikkun Olam” – repairing the world, and underscoring the shared values between Israel and the US. 

Time and again Israel is amongst the first countries to respond, and with a significant deployment of resources. The case of Nepal is no exception.

We must never lose sight of the plight of others. We must stand with them and help them in their times of need. Today, Israel is proud to be standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Nepal during this very challenging time.

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region