12/28/09

First-ever Heads of Missions Conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

24 Dec 2009

Israel’s ambassadors and consuls general serving throughout the world will discuss broad diplomatic and strategic issues at a conference to be held next week in Jerusalem.


Heads of Missions Conference - 27-31 December 2009





(Communicated by MFA Spokesperson’s Bureau)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Liberman, will host a conference next week (27-31 December) for Israeli Heads of Missions. At the conference, Israel’s ambassadors and consuls general serving throughout the world will discuss broad diplomatic and strategic issues.

This is the first time a conference for all of Israel’s Heads of Missions has been held. The idea is to facilitate direct dialogue with the country’s leaders, mutual updates on major diplomatic issues, and a discussion of action plans to deal with the challenges awaiting the State of Israel in the international arena in the coming year, including the Iranian threat.

A major part of the conference will be devoted to examining Israel’s integration and potential contribution to items on the world agenda such as the environment, renewable energy, water and sewage treatment, and new technologies. The participants will discuss how to develop and promote Israel’s foreign relations and its image as a country that contributes to creating a better future for everyone. They will also talk about the rise of new global powers and how to deal with them.

On Monday, 28 December, the Heads of Missions will be guests of President Shimon Peres at the President’s Residence.

Foreign Minister Liberman will open the conference. Other officials invited to attend include Prime Minister Benyamin Natanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Minister of Intelligence and Atomic Energy Dan Meridor, Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer, and senior officials of Israel’s diplomatic and security community.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to make the Heads of Missions Conference an annual event, as it is in other leading foreign ministries in the world.

* * * * *

Significance:

This is the first time Israel has ever recalled all of its ambassadors and consuls general at the same time.

It is extremely rare for a nation to do this.

Iran is within months of having a nuclear bomb and a delivery capability.

Iran recently lost their only Airborne Warning And Control (AWACs) aircraft in an accident.

Iran is trying to buy, but has not yet received the advanced S-300 anti-aircraft missile system from Russia.

Israel can expect no support from the obuma-led U.S. Government.

The arab nations may stay neutral. Although they share the Islamic faith with Iran, Arabs and Persians have hated each other for thousands of years. Iraq and Iran fought a bloody war as recently as the 1980s.

Prediction:

If the balloon goes up, put your money on the Hebrews.  Yahweh trounces Allah.  No contest.