Notable Events
Dear Friends,
In November 2011, we wrote you that Rachamim Elazar had been appointed Israel's next Ambassador to Ethiopia. Unfortunately, his appointment was not confirmed and Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs re-opened the search process.
We are very pleased to let you know that another excellent candidate has now been selected, and her name is Belaynesh Zevadia. Here is the story from Ha'aretz. Please note that Belaynesh will also have to go through the confirmation process and we hope that this time, the government will approve her appointment. Much pressure has been brought to bear that an Ethiopian Israeli candidate should be confirmed!
Foreign Ministry names first Israeli as Ethiopian origin as ambassador
Belaynesh Zevadia will serve as the Israeli diplomat to Adis Ababa, the capital of the country where she was born and lived in before moving to Israel.
Foreign Ministry names first Israeli as Ethiopian origin as ambassador
Belaynesh Zevadia will serve as the Israeli diplomat to Adis Ababa, the capital of the country where she was born and lived in before moving to Israel.
Belaynesh Zevadia By Barak Ravid
For the first time in the history of Israel, the Foreign Ministry appointed a citizen of Ethiopian origin as ambassador.
Belaynesh Zevadia, who was the first Ethiopian cadet in the Foreign Ministry, will serve as the Israeli diplomat to Adis Ababa, the capital of the country where she was born and lived in before moving to Israel.
The government's nominations committee, lead by Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon announced the appointment on Monday evening, and in the coming weeks the appointment will come to the government for approval.
Zevadia, who is 43-years-old, arrived in Israel at age 17. Since joining the Foreign Ministry, she has served in Israeli consulates in Chicago and Houston.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Monday that he welcomed the appointment. "The appointment is a message to the Israeli public, one that is currently fighting racism against Ethiopians," said Lieberman. "This transmits a message of fighting discrimination. In Israel, people are chosen based on their ability to serve the public, rather than their skin color or sex. I am convinced that she will represent Israel with respect," he added.
MK Shlomo Molla (Kadima) praised Zevadia's appointment, saying that it is a "source of pride for both Israeli society and for the Ethiopian community," and that her appointment should "serve as a model for all those who seek to progress and succeed."