May 3rd, Ottawa – Politicians, diplomats, community members and friends joined His Excellency, Ambassador Nimrod Barkan, and Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, in celebrating the 69th Independence Day of the State of Israel.
Surrounded by friends, the evening began with beautiful renditions of both the Canadian and Israeli national anthems by Adam Moscoe, a good friend of the Embassy, before the Ambassador spoke to the audience regarding Israel’s growth over the years.
Minister Freeland also spoke to the audience on the strong connection between the two countries, reconfirming “Canada’s commitment to a safe and secure homeland for the Jewish people.”
The celebration was held at the National Capital Commission’s beautiful International Pavilion at 50 Sussex Drive and also served to kick off a month-long photographic exhibition being hosted by the Embassy. Our thanks for the support to the NCC, as well as CEO Mark Kristmanson, who had this to say:
“It is a distinct pleasure to welcome the Embassy of Israel in Canada to the International Pavilion for Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations. I thank His Excellency, Ambassador Nimrod Barkan and his team for creating a fascinating exhibit of Aliza Auerbach’s photographs which celebrates the unique trajectory of Israeli culture and art, and whose themes evoke the common values shared by Canada and Israel.”