This week the Deputy Ambassador Mr
Eitan Na'eh visited Belfast in his first diplomatic visit to Northern Ireland.
He was accompanied by Steven Jaffe, co-chair of Northern Ireland friends of
Israel who escorted Mr. Na'eh to a range of meetings.
Mr. Na'eh was proud to attend the
Democratic Unionist Party Friends of Israel Launch, hosted by David McIlveen
MLA who spoke along side the First Minister of Northern Ireland Peter Robinson
MLA. The First Minister said, 'As a
nation, Israel has been passionate in standing up for democracy, it has led the
way in development and research and has a fantastic economy. We are proud of
our friendship with Israel and continue to stand with you.
Mr Na'eh had a busy schedule filled with
political meetings in Stormont. He spoke to Junior Ministers Jonathan Bell MLA
and Jennifer McCann MLA about the current situation in Israel, and listened to
their experiences in regard to the peace building process in Northern Ireland. Whilst in Stormont, Mr Na'eh met with the
Deputy Speaker of the house Mitchel
McLaughlin MLA and spoke at a lunch event for the political
representatives of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The afternoon was spent gaining a
better understanding of the role of civil society group in peace building
activities and in the reconciliation process. Mr Na'eh met with Evelyn Collins
from the Equality Commission and with Liam Maskey of Intercomm, alongside senior
personnel from the police force.
Reflecting on these two meetings, Mr.
Na'eh said that the value of civil society groups in bringing people together
and bridging the divides, was critical to moving forward in a process of
reconciliation. Central to Northern Ireland was the willingness to renounce
violence and to accept that compromise was necessary for both sides in order to
move forward.
Later that evening Mr Na'eh attended a
Night to Honour Israel celebration in Stormont hosted by the International Christian
Embassy in Jerusalem.The night was a joyous occasion, filled with Music, dance
and prayer for the state of Israel and was attended by cross party political
representatives. Mr Na'eh spoke alongside David McIlveen MLA, Alban Maginness
MLA and Donna Holbrook, Director of the ICEJ in Canada. Mr Na'eh addressed the two hundred person
crowd saying, 'Israel is a biblical prophecy fulfilled in our present time. It
is a miracle, a true light among the nations'.
Following his visit to Northern Ireland, discussions
will occur with political representatives about ways to deepen the relationship
between Israel and Northern Ireland.