On August 28, I will complete my post as the Israeli Consul General in Hong Kong.  This will conclude a five-year journey, three in Hong Kong and two as an Ambassador in Nepal.

It has been a privilege serving in this beautiful and vibrant city.  To be present in such dynamic times, when the ties between China, Hong Kong and Israel are flourishing and continue to attain further heights.

The relations between Israel and Hong Kong are developing extremely well, based on a longstanding friendship.  Israel’s economic activities in Hong Kong are well reflected in the number of Israeli companies with regional headquarters here.

During my tenure here, I have had the pleasure of meeting heads of many Hong Kong leading companies who clearly attach great importance to the culture of innovation that Israel values.   Yet a gap has existed between the portrayal of Israel and its realities.  Therefore, it was for me, a challenging task to present the real face of Israel; to bring to the awareness of different target groups here, that Israel is a peace loving country of solidarity and devotion, although facing significant security obstacles; and also to promote it as a country of great spirit with mosaic of cultures, unique tourist spots, and more.

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As we mark the 60 years of independence of the State of Israel, we celebrate the living dream which is the rebirth of the Jewish people in its homeland with Jerusalem at its heart.

In the course of all the difficulties and challenges, our people who came to live in Israel with almost nothing, dedicated their hard work and creativity to the building of our country.  Israel has now attained achievements that are extraordinary in scope.  We are characterized today as a democratic country, a society of seven million people, an independent judiciary system, and a modern and vibrant economy that is largely based on high tech, research, development and science.  Israel is a mosaic of cultures and customs.  We celebrate our success in absorbing millions of immigrants and refugees to our land.

The hi-tech sector in Israel is extremely developed.  Israeli products, processes and systems are in the forefront of scientific advancement and technological innovation in many fields.  Also, Israel ranks among the leading countries worldwide in the number of Nasdaq-list high-tech companies.  Many of the world’s largest companies have established R&D centres in Israel, including Intel, Motorola and Samsung, Siemens, Googles, HP, Microsoft, SAP, GE, Applied Materials. 

The relations between Israel and Hong Kong are based on a longstanding friendship.  Israel’s economic activities in Hong Kong are well reflected in the 78 Israeli companies with regional headquarters, most of them are high-tech companies.  In 2007, the total bilateral trade between Israel and Hong Kong was valued at about USD 3.3 billion, in which USD 1.9 billion was Israel’s exports to Hong Kong, and USD 1.4 billion was Israel’s imports from Hong Kong.  As Israel’s links with Asia are growing rapidly, our Consulate seeks to further strengthen and diversify the economic co-operation with Hong Kong in the fields such as: hi-tech, telecom, software, IT, homeland security, medical devices and equipment, agrotechnology and environmental technology.

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1, 2 May 2008 (Thursday, Friday), 8:00pm 
Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium

The Aluminum Show, a unique performance from Israel combining movement, dance and visual theatre, opened the 19th Macao Arts Festival on 1 May at the Macao Cultural Centre's Grand Auditorium. Through the use of special effects, creative mechanics and acrobatic dance, inanimate objects come to life with energy, emotion and even personality, as silver-coloured industrial materials create a luminous and reflective world.

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The Consulate General of Israel in Hong Kong and the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong (CCOHK) were proud to co-present the Asian debut of the Gurfinkel Clarinet Duo from Israel on 3 April 2008 (Thursday), led by Israeli conductor Lior Shambadal.

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Highlights of the Israeli cinema were featured in the 32nd Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) from 17 March to 6 April, screening seven recent Israel titles. 

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Idan Raichel joins forces with musicians from Israel’s Ethiopian, Arab, Yemenite and Caribebean communities to create entrancing fusions that have made him one of the biggest success stories in the history of Israeli popular music.  Ancient tradition meets contemporary technology on this inspirational cross-cultural project.  

Date: 17 March 2008 (Monday), 8:00pm

Venue: HK International Trade and Exhibition Centre Auditorium, Kowloon Bay

Tickets: HK Ticketing www.hkticketing.com; 3128 8288

Presenter: The JWA

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Visit The Idan Raichel Project website >>

Mr. Isaac Herzog, Minister of Welfare and Social Services, Minister of the Diaspora, Society, and Fight Against Anti-Semitism, of the State of Israel, visited Hong Kong during 13-14 March 2008, as a guest of the United Israel Appeal in Hong Kong.

The Consulate arranged a meeting on 14 March for Mr. Herzog with Mr. Cheung Kin-chung, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Hong Kong SAR Government, who shared experience and exchanged views in the area of labour affairs and social welfare development.  Mr. Herzog also had interviews with local media.

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Speech by Consul General Mr. Dan Ben-Eliezer

28 January 2008 (Mon)

at the Jewish Community Centre

On November 1, 2005 the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution introduced by Israel and designated January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day.  In doing so, the assembly urged the nations of the world to observe the day so that future generations will be spared from act of genocide.

Co-sponsored by 104 other states the resolution rejects Holocaust denial and encourages countries to develop educational programs about the horrors of Genocide.  It also condemns intolerance, incitement, harassment, or violence based on ethnic origin or religious belief.

January 27th is the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau dead camp, the ultimate symbol of the Holocaust and Nazi Germany’s effort to bring about the complete annihilation of the Jewish people.  The Holocaust is the most radical, most monstrous express of hatred of the Jews; a hatred which has accompanied the people of Israel since the beginning of time.

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Two Hong Kong students, Charlotte Raybaud from King George V School and John Li from Sha Tin College, participated in the International Youth Congress organized by Yad Vashem, the Holocaust remembrance and education center in Jerusalem, which was held from 27-29 January 2008 in Jerusalem, Israel, to mark the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

On 1 November 2005, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 27 January as International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.  The UN General Assembly reaffirms that he Holocaust, which resulted in the murder of one third of the Jewish people along with countless members of other minorities, will forever be a warning to all people of the dangers of hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice."

This was the first International Youth Congress organised by Yad Vashem to mark this day.  Many youth leaders from around the world gathered and made the voice of their generation heard on the subject of shaping Holocaust remembrance and its significance for the future.  At the congress, the participants enriched their knowledge in Holocaust history, took part in workshop and formulated an nternational youth treaty?emphasizing their commitment to preserving the memory and significance of the Holocaust. 

This congress was among the series of activities organised to encourage the awareness and remind the world of the threat posed to us all when genocide and crimes against humanity are allowed to occur.  The Hong Kong Jewish Community recently organised an exhibition on Anne Frank in Hong Kong.

EMERGENCE Tel No. 90301932

Please note our direct telephone numbers and e-mail addresses as follows:

General - 28217500

Consular & Visa Department - 28217510, consular@hongkong.mfa.gov.il

Press and Public Relations Department - 28217512, info@hongkong.mfa.gov.il

Economic & Trade Department - 28217509, economyassist@hongkong.mfa.gov.il

The Israeli House - 28217505, consularassist@hongkong.mfa.gov.il