Principal Activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1998
13 Sep 2000
 
  Principal Activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1998

As published in the Prime Ministers Report on the Governments Activities


The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

  • The 50th anniversary of Israels independence was celebrated in world capitals, with the participation of 27 presidents and heads of state. The celebrations included festivals, fairs, and exhibitions; the production of films, booklets, and newspaper supplements; and more.
  • Positions on a final settlement were formulated, and possible developments in the peace process were outlined, including preparation for a possible declaration of an independent Palestinian state.
  • A political effort was made to foil initiatives by Arab countries and the Palestinians to wage anti-Israel "political warfare" in the UN and in other international organizations.
  • As part of the efforts to promote the peace process, bilateral and multilateral projects concerning water, the environment, and refugees were carried out.
  • A department for Jerusalem affairs was formed; its job includes gathering, monitoring, and being involved in all aspects of the issue of Jerusalem.
  • A research and development agreement was initialed with the European Union. The process of ratifying the association agreement between Israel and the European Union (which discusses the upgrading of Israels economic relations with the EU) moved forward, as did additional trade agreements with the EU.
  • A free-trade agreement was signed with Slovenia; agreements were also signed with Uruguay, Slovakia, Romania, and Cyprus to promote and protect investments; and progress was made in contacts for the signing of an agreement between Israel and the major South American countries.
  • More than 140 on-the-spot courses organized by Mashav experts were given in various countries, including Egypt, Morocco, and Jordan. More than 4,000 people attended training courses in Israel, including over 1,100 people from Arab countries and the Palestinian Authority.
  • Special courses in agriculture, urban development, and public health were offered in Arabic for the Palestinian Authority.
  • Approximately 2,300 official guests were handled, including the President and Vice-President of the United States, the Crown Prince of Jordan, eight presidents of other countries, five prime ministers, 23 foreign ministers, the secretary-general of the UN, and ministers, parliamentarians, and delegations from various countries.
  • The efforts to achieve the return of Jewish property stolen during the Holocaust were coordinated.


Media and Public-Relations Activities
  • The Departments activities this year centered around the jubilee celebrations. The Department coordinated the international jubilee activities, including the production of films, exhibitions, and written materials and supervision of the missions.
  • The Ministry was responsible for dispatching a youth delegation ("youth ambassadors") and various speakers.
  • Conferences of foreign organizations and individuals (such as the Conference of Mayors) were arranged, informational aids were prepared, and exhibitions were produced for special events such as the jubilee and the GA convention.
  • More than 100 seminars were held for agencies and institutions from Israel and abroad, including briefings on aspects of Israels foreign relations and the peace process.
  • Political and informational briefings were distributed among the missions, both on a regular basis and to mark special events.
  • Web sites of the Ministry and its missions abroad were established and maintained. They were visited by tens of thousands of "surfers" weekly.
  • Electronic news flashes were distributed on a daily basis to an electronic distribution list with more than 20,000 names.
  • Six new friendship societies were founded, reaching a total of 349 societies in 51 countries.
  • Twenty new twinning agreements were signed, in addition to the 405 twin-city arrangements that already existed.
  • Approximately 1,500 people from 58 countries attended the jubilee conference for twin cities and municipal organizations in Jerusalem.
  • The Press Department handled about 230 journalists and press delegations that visited Israel.
  • Briefings and information were provided to the foreign and local press on an ongoing basis on such issues as the jubilee celebrations, the Conference of Mayors in Jerusalem, Israeli aid operations for victims of natural disasters around the world, a conference to mark the 50th anniversary of Israeli foreign policy, and more.


Cultural and Scientific Relations

Jubilee Celebrations
  • The Departments activities centered around the jubilee celebrations. Projects included the following:
  • Israeli festivals in capitals and other major cities in North America, Western Europe, Asia, and Ukraine;
  • Fairs and Independence Day events in various countries;
  • Production and touring of special jubilee exhibitions, putting Israeli films in the media, production of special newspaper supplements, etc.

Literature
  • Sponsorship of and support for the translation of Hebrew literature into foreign languages
  • Participation in international book fairs and dispatching of writers abroad

Plastic arts
  • Touring of exhibitions of Israeli artists and archaeological exhibitions

Performing arts
  • Assistance in sending dance and theater companies to perform abroad and in sending Israeli musicians and orchestras to perform classical and light music abroad

Film
  • Sponsorship of an Israeli film week, which included the dispatch of film packages and artists

Academia
  • Efforts to involve academics in promoting Israels image in the international academic world continued, in the hope of taking advantage of the influence of academics on policymakers. To this end, the Department organizes missions abroad of speakers and researchers and brings to Israel the heads of universities and key figures who might help Israeli academia.

Cultural and scientific accords
  • Israel has educational, cultural, and scientific agreements with 84 countries, as well as 45 separate scientific agreements. The Department handles the implementation of these agreements and their renewal in accordance with political priorities.


Economics
  • Exports to EU countries, North America, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East increased.
  • Agreements were signed with Uruguay, Slovakia, Romania, and Cyprus to promote and protect investments.
  • A free-trade agreement was signed with Slovenia, and progress was made in contacts for the signing of a free-trade agreement with South American countries.
  • Progress was made in the process of ratifying the association agreement with the European Union, as well as additional trade accords with the EU.
  • An R&D agreement (Fifth Framework Program) with the European Union was initialed.
  • Joint high-tech seminars were organized with Spain and Switzerland.


International Cooperation
  • Over 4,000 people took part in training courses in Israel, including more than 1,100 from Arab countries and the territories of the Palestinian Authority.
  • More than 140 on-the-spot courses organized by Mashav experts were given in various countries, including Egypt, Morocco, and Jordan.
  • Special courses in agriculture, urban development, and public health were offered in Arabic for the Palestinian Authority.
  • International cooperation took place with 135 countries, including ten with which Israel has no diplomatic relations.
  • Cooperation took place with international organizations and relevant UN organizations.


International Organizations
  • Israel worked vigorously, in close cooperation with the United States and other countries, to foil initiatives by Arab countries and the Palestinians to wage anti-Israel "political warfare" in the UN and other international organizations.
  • An attempt by the Arab delegations to the UN to convene the signatories of the Fourth Geneva Convention to discuss enforcement of the convention in the territories was foiled. Due to opposition by Israel and the United States, it was agreed to call a limited meeting of representatives of Switzerland, Israel, and the Palestinians and to hold a conference of experts to discuss the general principles of implementation of the convention.
  • Work continued in an effort to raise the profile of Israeli participation in the UN General Assembly and other UN agencies, including in matters unrelated to the Middle East.
  • Regular ties with the various UN peacekeeping forces in the Middle East - UNTSO, UNIFIL, UNDOF, representatives of TIPH in Hebron, and representatives of UNRWA - continued.
  • Human-rights activities with UN agencies and international organizations continued.
  • Handling of the issue of POWs and MIAs continued, both through the activity of the missions abroad and through meetings arranged for family members with foreign agencies and individuals.
  • Efforts to promote Israels global interests (e.g., desertification, environment, and development) through the relevant international organizations continued.


Legal Affairs
  • Follow-up of the peace treaty with Jordan and agreements with the Palestinians took place. Department representatives take part on a regular basis in committees established under these accords.
  • Many issues of humanitarian law and international tribunals were handled, and reports on human-rights conventions were prepared and presented to the relevant international organizations.
  • The establishment of the international criminal court was addressed.
  • There was involvement in various aspects of the phrasing, formulation, and preparation for signing of 72 bilateral agreements signed by Israel in the past year.
  • Legal advice on international law continued to be provided to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry administration, Ministry departments, missions abroad, and other governmental and State agencies.
  • Legal advice continued to be provided on economic ties with the European Union, Jordan, the Palestinians, and international financial organizations.


Training Division
  • A new class of cadets completed the basic section and was placed in Ministry departments for continued training. The cadets are to become regular Ministry employees after accruing three years of experience.
  • The Foreign Ministry advertised for cadets specializing in three fields that it requires: orientalists, experts on Russia and the CIS, and administrators. The course will begin in late 1999.
  • Diverse activity took place to train workers for assignments abroad. Guidance activities aimed at professionalization and enrichment were also carried out.
  • A conference was organized to mark 50 years of Israeli foreign policy; participants discussed various aspects of Israeli foreign policy since its inception. At the conference the Ministry marked the 50th anniversary of its founding and expressed appreciation for all the foreign ministers of Israel.


Interfaith Department
  • The government ratified the legal agreement between Israel and the Holy See and preparations for further normalization of relations were done, by launching negotiations on a financial agreement.
  • Interfaith dialogue was promoted, inter alia, by encouraging encounters between Jewish and Muslim clergy.
  • The logistical preparations and program for year 2000 events were coordinated and promoted.
  • For the first time, a political dialogue took place between the foreign ministries of Israel and the Vatican in which matters of joint interest were discussed in depth.


Disarmament
  • Foreign missions and foreign representatives were briefed and contacts with international organizations were held, on the prevention of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and surface-to-surface missiles in our region.
  • Israeli membership in international conventions on disarmament and arms control was addressed. Inter alia, Israel is currently in the process of ratifying an international convention that prohibits the use of laser weapons and restricts the use of antipersonnel mines.
  • Dialogues took place with friendly countries on the prevention of proliferation and on disarmament and arms control.
  • As part of the dialogue of EU and NATO countries with Mediterranean countries, the Division was involved in the following activities:
  • A project for dealing with natural and human disasters;
  • NATO courses on disarmament and arms control;
  • Formulation of the European Security Charter;
  • Meetings with NATO to update participants on various security issues.
  • The Division was actively involved in constructing a regional defense system in central Asia.


Political Planning Division
  • Position papers were prepared on aspects of the peace process.
  • The Foreign Ministrys positions on a final settlement were formulated, and scenarios of possible developments in the peace process were outlined, including preparation for a possible declaration of an independent Palestinian state.
  • Analyses were prepared of the regional Arab system and Arab countries overall perception of peace.
  • Documents were drafted containing thoughts on and analyses of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Jordan, EU policy in the Middle East, Russia, the Barcelona process, and more.
  • The staff work in the war against terrorism was coordinated; it included participation in the anti-terror meeting between Israel and the United States.
  • Individual dialogues were held abroad on aspects of political planning in Germany, Japan, Korea, France, the United States, and Italy.
  • Visitors from abroad, including directors-general, parliamentarians, ambassadors, and journalists, were given briefings.


Diaspora Department
  • The Ministry took part in the Neeman Commission deliberations on the different streams of Judaism. The Ministry also conducted activities in Israeli missions in an effort to reduce Israel-Diaspora tensions and to instill accord among the Jewish people.
  • Developments regarding the return of Jewish property stolen during the Holocaust was followed up closely. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is involved in the matter through the World Jewish Restitution Organization and through governmental frameworks such as the Committee of Directors-General on the Return of Jewish Property. In addition, the Ministry coordinated the activity of the official Israeli delegation to an international conference on the return of Jewish property, held in Washington.
  • The Ministry was involved in formulating a new agenda for Israel-Diaspora relations, with the emphasis on Jewish continuity. The Ministry is also looking into the possibility of establishing "Israel centers," as recommended by the Ministerial Committee on the Diaspora, and working on other projects.
  • Manifestations of antisemitism and Holocaust denial around the world were monitored and reactions dispatched. In this context, the staff work was consolidated for the activity of the Israeli element of the Swedish task force on Holocaust education and memorialization.
  • Assistance was provided to Jewish individuals and delegations visiting Israel, and informational activity was conducted among the Jewish communities.
  • The developments pertaining to the Maccabiah bridge disaster were followed up, and aid was provided to the families of Australian delegation members who were killed or wounded.


Protocol and Official Visitors Department
  • In 1998, 22 ambassadors (including non-resident ambassadors) presented their credentials to the President. There are currently 78 embassies and two interest sections in Israel, as well as 29 non-resident ambassadors accredited to Israel.
  • The Official Visitors Department handled approximately 2,300 official visitors and entourage members, including the Crown Prince of Jordan; the President and Vice-President of the United States; the presidents of Georgia, Latvia, Togo, Uruguay, Switzerland, Zambia, Uzbekistan, and Germany; the prime ministers of Turkey, Romania, Spain, and Britain; the Chancellor of Austria; 23 foreign ministers; the Secretary-General of the UN; the Speaker of the Russian Duma, and the Speaker of the US House of Representatives.
  • The Phrasing and Translation Department was established; its job is to provide all units of the Ministry with quality translation services and to phrase letters and documents in English, French, and Spanish. By 1999, the activity of the Department will be expanded to include Arabic, too.


Regional Activity

North America
  • In the bilateral sphere, the framework of annual US aid for Israel was changed: The share of civilian aid was reduced, while military aid was increased. Several joint security projects, including the Arrow missile project, were bolstered.
  • In the international arena, the United States continued to act to foil attempts to isolate Israel in UN institutions and the General Assembly. In the Middle Eastern arena, the United States is spearheading efforts to halt the armament programs of Iran and Iraq.
  • The United States devoted a major effort to promoting the peace process between Israel and its neighbors, especially the Palestinians, and American representatives are taking part in most of the channels of dialogue.
  • To promote the peace process and the bilateral framework, numerous visits were made to the two capitals during the year. The most prominent of them were the visit by President Clinton to Israel and the Palestinian Authority, the visit by the Prime Minister and the Foreign and Defense ministers to the United States, and the visit by the US Secretary of State to Israel.
  • The international cooperation agreement between Canada and Israel began to be realized in a third countryGuatemala.
  • Canada, Israel, and Norway joined together in a project to disarm mines in Jordan.

Western Europe

European Union Countries
  • The Wye accords were received warmly in Europe, and a desire was expressed to increase the European contribution to the peace process. This was manifested in the number of high-level visits to Israel and the number of return visits by the Prime Minister and his senior ministers to European capitals.
  • Moratinos, the special envoy to the region, continued his activity, focusing on trying to identify the areas in which the EU can have an impact on advancing the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians and implementing the agreements signed.
  • Ongoing ties were maintained with European organizations such as the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, NATO, and the institutions of the European Union.
  • The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs met numerous times with the leaders of Britain, Germany, Spain, Austria, France, and Norway, as well as with other people in the EU.

Other countries
  • To a large extent, Israeli-Swiss relations were dictated this year by the issue of Jewish property from World War II. Israel is working to improve the atmosphere and stabilize ties.

Eastern Europe and the CIS
  • Israels relations with Russia and the other countries of the CIS continued to evolve during the course of the year. The development of relations was manifested, inter alia, in mutual high-level visits.
  • A great deal of diverse activity, included exchanges of delegations, took place this year in the fields of economics, international cooperation, and culture. Despite the economic crisis in Russia, trade with Russia and the other countries of the CIS continued to grow.


The Middle East and the Peace Process

Jordan
  • Numerous high-ranking figures from each country visited the other country. On the Israeli side, the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and other ministers and MKs visited Jordan; on the Jordanian side, Crown Prince Hassan, members of the royal family, ministers, and members of parliament visited Israel.
  • Bilateral contacts and dealings between businesspeople, academics, and media and cultural figures continued.
  • To mark the fourth anniversary of the signing of the peace treaty, the Foreign Minister visited Jordan and took part in the laying of the cornerstone for the new dam in Idasiya.
  • Implementation of the agreement on the special industrial zone in the Irbid region began.
  • An arrangement for the rapid passage of public figures, businesspeople, and media representatives between Aqaba and Eilat was instituted.
  • The start-up phase of the Aqaba-Eilat airport project is in the final stages.
  • Agricultural cooperation agreements through the International Cooperation Department and trade, plant-protection, and veterinary cooperation agreements were signed.

Egypt
  • The joint agricultural committee met in Cairo and agreed on continued training activity in Israel and Egypt and the expansion of existing projects.
  • As part of the military talks, two bilateral meetings were held at which matters concerning the two armies were discussed.
  • Efforts to keep the case of Azzam Azzam on the agenda continued, as did the political efforts to bring about his release.

Qatar
  • The mission was particularly active in the economic sphere during the year.

Oman
  • The missions activities focused on encouraging trade relations.

Mauritania
  • Mauritania sent its foreign minister to Israel immediately after the signing of the Wye accords. His visit lasted four days, during which he met with the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and senior officials.

Tunisia
  • Efforts are being made to warm up political relations, which were cooled at the Tunisians initiative.

Morocco
  • Despite the cooling of relations between the two countries, economic ties continue; Israeli exports to Morocco are estimated at $10 million.
  • This year the head of the Israeli mission in Rabat was replaced for the first time, with no problems on the part of the Moroccan administration.

Promotion of the peace process
  • Bilateral and multilateral projects concerning water, the environment, and refugees were carried out.