Dear Travelers,
It makes no difference why you are going abroad. whether for business purposes or privately, in a group or on your own, as tourists, backpackers or members of a delegation—every time you come into contact with someone who is unfamiliar with Israel, you make an impression which shapes their perception of Israel.
Most people in the world don’t know much about Israel. Some know Israel through the Bible, so they think of Israel as a backwards land with walled cities and camels. Others know Israel from the media, and see it as a place of constant conflict.
Being an Israeli is a privilege. But because the state is located in a troubled region, it is also a burden, and therefore being an Israeli in today’s world is not easy.
The State of Israel, in its 62 years of existence, has out-paced the growth rates of its neighbors and has become a developed nation. At the same time, many enemies lie at its borders who seek Israel`s destruction, while critics abroad tarnish Israel’s name and reputation with unfair and unfounded criticism.
Israel is perceived as a country lacking in tolerance and compassion, a country eager to wage war; and we as Israelis, are perceived as being rude, insolent, and violent.
The State of Israel desperately desires peace with its neighbors, and the overwhelming majority of Israelis support peace and co-existence, but a myth which has taken root – is hard to disprove. Hard, yes, but not impossible!
You can bring about a change!
Every single one of you has the ability to improve Israel’s image in the world. You have the power to defend both the state’s image and the Israeli people’s honor, You can do it through advocacy, “hasbara”, by giving people the facts and the right messages, and through proper behavior that shows respect both for the people and places that you visit, and for the place that you come from.
The “Explaining Israel” project was conceived to encourage the citizens of Israel to take part in Israel’s advocacy efforts, and to provide them with tools and information for doing so, with the help of printed material and information available on the Internet.
We at the Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs are interested in making it possible for every Israeli to participate in improving Israel’s image in the world, and thereby contribute to its political and economic strength as well as its international standing.
I would be thrilled to have you join us too. In every situation of interpersonal contact with people from other countries and with foreign media, every Israeli has a duty to tell people about Israel and explain the facts.
Every meeting with someone from another country can be an opportunity to challenge and uproot preconceptions and the distorted information discrediting Israel that is being spread throughout the world. We must seize such opportunities to introduce and instill the truth in others – by telling them about our beautiful land and the reality of life here.
Together we must forge a positive image for Israel. Ignorance and indifference promote rejection and perpetuate prejudice. In contrast, a free flow of information, politeness and courtesy represent the values of enlightened, civilized society, of which Israel is a part.
Join the “Presenting Israel” project and be proud to represent Israel.
Most people in the world don’t know much about Israel. Some know Israel through the Bible, so they think of Israel as a backwards land with walled cities and camels. Others know Israel from the media, and see it as a place of constant conflict.
Being an Israeli is a privilege. But because the state is located in a troubled region, it is also a burden, and therefore being an Israeli in today’s world is not easy.
The State of Israel, in its 62 years of existence, has out-paced the growth rates of its neighbors and has become a developed nation. At the same time, many enemies lie at its borders who seek Israel`s destruction, while critics abroad tarnish Israel’s name and reputation with unfair and unfounded criticism.
Israel is perceived as a country lacking in tolerance and compassion, a country eager to wage war; and we as Israelis, are perceived as being rude, insolent, and violent.
The State of Israel desperately desires peace with its neighbors, and the overwhelming majority of Israelis support peace and co-existence, but a myth which has taken root – is hard to disprove. Hard, yes, but not impossible!
You can bring about a change!
Every single one of you has the ability to improve Israel’s image in the world. You have the power to defend both the state’s image and the Israeli people’s honor, You can do it through advocacy, “hasbara”, by giving people the facts and the right messages, and through proper behavior that shows respect both for the people and places that you visit, and for the place that you come from.
The “Explaining Israel” project was conceived to encourage the citizens of Israel to take part in Israel’s advocacy efforts, and to provide them with tools and information for doing so, with the help of printed material and information available on the Internet.
We at the Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs are interested in making it possible for every Israeli to participate in improving Israel’s image in the world, and thereby contribute to its political and economic strength as well as its international standing.
I would be thrilled to have you join us too. In every situation of interpersonal contact with people from other countries and with foreign media, every Israeli has a duty to tell people about Israel and explain the facts.
Every meeting with someone from another country can be an opportunity to challenge and uproot preconceptions and the distorted information discrediting Israel that is being spread throughout the world. We must seize such opportunities to introduce and instill the truth in others – by telling them about our beautiful land and the reality of life here.
Together we must forge a positive image for Israel. Ignorance and indifference promote rejection and perpetuate prejudice. In contrast, a free flow of information, politeness and courtesy represent the values of enlightened, civilized society, of which Israel is a part.
Join the “Presenting Israel” project and be proud to represent Israel.
Wishing you a successful trip,
Yoel Yuli Edelstein
Minister of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs
Yoel Yuli Edelstein
Minister of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs