(Communicated by the MFA Spokesperson)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the decision to select Ambassador Ruth Kahanoff to light a torch at the official ceremony on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the State of Israel. Kahanoff will light the torch in the name of MASHAV - Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation.

MASHAV was established 60 years ago as the official foreign aid arm of the State of Israel. Over the course of six decades, MASHAV has sent thousands of experts and instructors to every corner of the world in order to share the knowhow and experience that have transformed the world into better place for hundreds of millions of people. MASHAV is the bearer of tidings, and embodies the Jewish/Israeli concept of Tikun Olam (the commitment to work towards a better world).  MASHAV’s longstanding activities have cast Israel as a development pioneer, have opened political and diplomatic doors and have played a role in strengthening the Israeli economy.  

Ambassador Kahanoff has extensive diplomatic experience and has made a significant impact on Israel's foreign relations. She has served as MFA Deputy Director General for the Asia-Pacific Region and as Israel's Ambassador to Japan. During her diplomatic career, Kahanoff led MASHAV activities in the field as a diplomat and ambassador as well as an administrative director at MFA headquarters.

Over the past 60 years, MASHAV has instructed and trained almost 300,000 trainees from some 140 developing countries in fields in which Israel excels, such as agriculture, education, medicine, empowering women and preparation for emergency situations. 

The staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes great pride in the decision to honor MASHAV as one of the torch lighters at the Independence Day ceremony. The choice is a fitting honor for the 60-year-old world-wide enterprise and the hundreds of Israeli experts and instructors, MFA staff members.