Posted on 02/02/24
Jerusalem, Israel - Feb. 2, 2024 - Speaking as Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the Israeli President's annual Israel Independence Day Reception for Diplomats on the occasion of 75 years on April 26, 2023, Eli Cohen stated there were 95 international embassies in Israel and projected there would be 100 embassies. His prediction by the end of 2023 was off by a month. The 100th embassy and the fifth in Jerusalem held an opening event on the night of February 1, 2024.
The opening of an Indigenous Embassy led by the Indigenous Coalition for Israel (ICFI) was held in Jerusalem and hosted at the Friends of Zion Museum. The Indigenous Embassy in Jerusalem (IEJ) is an international project with strong expressions of support from indigenous leaders from all around the world: Singapore, Taiwan, Samoa, American Samoa, Hawaii, Tahiti, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji, Native American chiefs and paramount chiefs from Southern Africa.
Jerusalem’s Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum who spearheaded the initiative along with the ICFI said, “We are grateful to the ICFI leadership for pursuing this initiative, especially during a time of war. The Jewish people are the indigenous people of Israel and so we are thrilled with the support of the global First Peoples community “.
Dr Sheree Trotter, ICFI co-founder: ‘Antisemitism has seen a disturbing rise since 7 October. The indigenous peoples recognize the Jewish people as indigenous to the land of Israel. Further, many view Israel as a truly inspirational expression of self-determination in ancestral homelands. We believe this is the right time to launch the embassy to send a strong
message of solidarity from indigenous peoples around the world, that we recognize the Jews as indigenous to Israel and stand with her in her struggle against forces that seek her annihilation."
IEJ will become a hub for indigenous peoples visiting Israel and a tangible expression of their support. IEJ will also support and promulgate the academic work being undertaken to respond to false narratives.
However, IEJ will not purport to be an official representative of any of the governments that host nations of the respective indigenous peoples. It will engage in educational and cultural initiatives and mutually beneficial collaborative projects.
Along with Ateret Violet Shmuel of Indigenous Bridges, IEJ plans to foster relationships with Israel, promote understanding, and fight antisemitism. The event included delegates attending from South Africa and New Zealand who spoke of their support for Israel.
The program began with a moment of silence in memory of those murdered on October 7. The musical intervals with the Solomon Brothers provided much more upbeat moments for the standing-room-only audience. The international love of Israel expressed from around the world was heartwarming though the weather outside was wet and cold.
