A delegation led by the head of the friendship group of the Israeli parliament and the chairman of the Knesset economy committee is to visit Georgia.
The delegation will be hosted by the “Israeli House” and the Israel-Georgia Chamber of Business. For the 35th anniversary, within the framework of relations between Georgia, Israel and world Jewry, “Israeli House” is kicking off preparations for various events. Among them, together with the Israel-Georgia Chamber of Business, a global business forum is planned, which, after the Covid pandemic and hostilities in Israel, will give impetus to bilateral business.
During the visit, the Israeli delegation will thank the Georgian society for its contribution to support towards Israel, solidarity, and deepening of bilateral relations. The delegation will also hold a meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture on the issue of real cooperation in the sphere.
Before the delegation’s visit, Itsik Moshe, the head of “Israeli House”, wrote a letter to the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, requesting he take the lead in this important business forum, within the framework of which issues should be progressed and economic relations should be given new life. To prepare for the forum, the delegation, together with the group of friendship with Israel in the Parliament of Georgia, will hold a working meeting with the Israel-Georgia Chamber of Business.
The Israeli delegation also includes the general director of the ruling party Tzori Siso, Shmuel-Hai Eliran vice-chairman of Jewish National Fund, KKL and parliamentarian member of the economy and agriculture committee, Sasson Guetta who will speak about the issue of intensifying cooperation in the field of agriculture between the two countries and the potential that appeared in Israel after the war.
As Itsik Moshe points out, the events planned by “Israeli House” this year will be held within the framework of 35-year relations between Georgia, Israel and world Jewry, and will be not only a summary of the path traveled, but also an assessment of new perspectives and provision of expert information to the parties on the potential of cooperation.
In the context of the relationship between Georgia, Israel and World Jewry, it is important that Georgia was the first country in the Soviet Union which host World Jewry organizations, including WUJS (World Union of Jewish Students) and JAFI, the Sokhnut-World Jewish Agency. Itsik Moshe represented both authoritative organizations in the Soviet Union. It was under his organization 35 years ago, under the Soviet regime, that the leaders of world Jewry visited Tbilisi and the first bilateral ties were established. These were, in fact, the first ties with the Soviet republics.
Itsik Moshe, head of “Israeli House”, believes that the 35-year relations have clearly shown the parties that for the real implementation of ties, it is necessary to establish the correct format of cooperation and the priorities of the parties. In this context, according to Moshe, it is important to note that after the almost complete return of Jews to Israel, which was a natural process, a necessary condition for tomorrow’s real, smooth relations is the agreement on four terms: “Georgia”, “Israel”, “citizens of Georgia” and “Israelis”. And relations between them should be conducted in this format. There is indeed progress in this regard, and for this achievement, which serves bilateral and mutual interests, Moshe thanks the respective friendship groups in the Knesset and Parliament.
“The world is currently going through a difficult time. There are challenges facing Israel and its friendly countries as well. The “Israeli House” works in 18 countries and aims to strengthen solidarity with Israel, which is also reflected in the legislation of friendly countries. The second direction is the promotion of bilateral economic relations, which will also give a boost to the economy of friendly countries,” Itsik Moshe says.
