Last week, Israel played host to a powerful gesture of reconciliation and unity as a distinguished group of Muslim leaders from across Europe embarked on a historic interfaith mission. The delegation included prominent imams from France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Their aim: to foster mutual understanding, acknowledge historical truths, and build bridges between Muslim and Jewish communities.
The delegation, led by Imam Hassen Chalghoumi—Chairman of the Conference of Imams of France—met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in a gathering marked by warmth, laughter, and shared hope. Their time together ended with applause and a spontaneous song, highlighting the human connection that transcends borders and faiths.
Yet the emotional peak of their visit came at Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial center. Accompanied by an Arabic-speaking guide, the imams walked solemnly through the Holocaust History Museum. Later, at the Hall of Names, they laid a wreath and lit the eternal flame in memory of the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust.
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Among the delegation was Dahri Nour Mouhammad, Executive Director of the UK-based Islamic Theology and Counter Terrorism think tank. Overcome with emotion, he reflected:
“Seeing the sorrow and loss etched into the photographs was overwhelming. It shattered any detachment. Sadly, some Muslims still deny the Holocaust. We’re here to change that. Every Muslim should visit this place, read the history, and feel the truth.”
The sobering experience extended further as the group visited the site of the Nova Music Festival massacre, a location still steeped in pain as the plight of hostages in Gaza continues.
Honoring a Survivor: Moshe Abeles at 100
Still at Yad Vashem, one story stood out—Moshe Abeles, a Hungarian-born Auschwitz survivor and longtime volunteer at the museum’s library, was honored on his 100th birthday. Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan led the celebration, alongside Abeles’ family, including his cousin Hadassah Mantinband, whose father once taught him Hebrew in Hungary.
Diplomacy in Motion: Rescheduled Celebrations and Cross-Cultural Events
Due to recent tensions with Iran, some embassies in Israel postponed their annual gatherings. France’s Bastille Day celebration has been rescheduled to late September. The Indian Embassy, likewise, deferred its annual International Yoga Day festival and will now host it on July 15 in Jerusalem’s Mamilla district, near the Old City walls.
Attendees—including representatives from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Jerusalem’s municipality—will be welcomed by Ambassador Jai Prakash Singh, known simply as JP. Two esteemed instructors, Maayan Shenhar and Maayan Rodan, will guide the open-air yoga session, accompanied by live sitar music from Tavor Ben Dor.
(photo credit: YAD VASHEM)
Yoga, as Singh explained during his recent meeting with Herzliya Mayor Yariv Fisher, represents more than exercise. It is a cultural bridge—an expression of peace, health, and mindfulness. Discussions with Mayor Fisher included potential cooperation in student exchanges and community engagement initiatives.
Ambassador Singh is also the subject of the well-received docu-film The Diplomat, which recounts his heroic efforts in rescuing an Indian woman trapped in a forced marriage in Pakistan.
Celebrating 32 Years of Vietnam–Israel Relations
Vietnamese Ambassador Ly Duc Trung is preparing to mark two milestones: 32 years of diplomatic ties between Israel and Vietnam, and 80 years of modern diplomacy in Vietnam. An upcoming celebration will feature a photo exhibition titled Echoes of a People by Prof. Benjamin Peretz, a pioneer in pediatric dentistry and photography.
Drowning Prevention Takes Center Stage
Later this month, Australian Ambassador Ralph King will host a special reception for World Drowning Prevention Day, as part of a global effort to reduce childhood drowning. Declared by the UN in 2021, the day sheds light on the 235,600 people who die annually from drowning—most of them children in low- and middle-income countries.
Australia has long been a leader in water safety education, and many of the Israeli Life Saving Federation’s top figures are Australian expats trained on the iconic Bondi Beach.
Fireworks of Hope: A Thought from Ambassador Huckabee
US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, speaking at an American Independence Day celebration in Jerusalem, remarked on the absence of fireworks—a stark contrast to what he’d experience in Arkansas. “With everything going on, we hear enough explosions already,” he quipped.
Yet he held out hope:
“When peace returns and the hostages come home, I believe the skies of Jerusalem will light up again.”
Flowers of Remembrance: A Blooming Tribute in the Holy City
Coming soon to the National Library of Israel is a unique exhibit exploring the role of wildflowers in Israeli history and identity. Through archival materials and rare illustrations, the display traces the significance of flowers in Zionist education, religious pilgrimage, science, and modern art.
Today, yellow flowers hold special meaning across Israel, symbolizing continued calls to bring home the hostages taken by Hamas. Under Mayor Moshe Lion’s leadership, Jerusalem’s public spaces are blooming once more—with corner gardens and roadside arrangements bringing life and color even amid tense times.
Former Mayor Teddy Kollek, known for his devotion to public gardens, would surely approve.
Conclusion
The past week in Israel was a testament to human connection—spanning continents, faiths, and cultures. From interfaith empathy and Holocaust recognition to diplomatic cooperation and cultural events, each story reflected a shared desire for healing, remembrance, and peace.
