This week,
the Israeli Ambassador to New Zealand, Dr Itzhak Gerberg, gave a speech at the
University of Waikato in Hamilton. The speech, given for the New Zealand
Institute of International Affairs, was titled “Reframing the Middle East” and
focused on the challenges and opportunities that Israel faces in a chaotic
region.
With
refreshments served beforehand, Ambassador Gerberg took to the stage in front
of over 40 attendants and discussed how there are four different groups
dominating the region: the Shiite Camp, Global Jihadi Camp, Conservative Sunni
Camp and the Pragmatic Sunni Camp. Based on the current assessment, he expounded
upon how the region needs a fresh approach based on the need for modernization
that Israel, with its vast technological capabilities, can be a partner. New
political coalitions can be formed all while recognizing the danger of radical Islamic
terrorism.
Ambassador
Dr. Gerberg completed his Master’s Degree in Political Science from Haifa University
and obtained his PhD in International Politics from the University of South
Africa. He started his diplomatic career for the Israeli Foreign Ministry in
1985 as Second Secretary in Manila, Philippines, followed by a posting at the
Israeli Consulate in Bombay, India, as the Consul General. In 1996, he became
the Consul General for the Israeli Consulate in Shanghai, China, and between
1999 and 2012 he held Ambassadorial positions to Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia,
Zambia, Botswana, Malawi and later on in Georgia. Ambassador Dr Gerberg was appointed Israeli Ambassador to New Zealand,
Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands in July 2016.