President charges FM Livni with forming government after resignation of PM Olmert 22 Sep 2008

Peres - "With the power vested in me by the Basic Law: The Government, and after having consulted with all of the factions of the Knesset, I have decided to bestow the task of forming the next government on Knesset Member Tzipi Livni. Knesset Member Tzipi Livni has agreed to take this task upon herself."

Livni - "The first and right choice for Israel is a stable government that will serve until the end of the current Knesset's term. I have every confidence in my ability to lead the State of Israel, with the full, honest and genuine cooperation of all the parties invited to join the coalition."

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30 years since signing of Camp David Accords 17 Sep 2008

After twelve days of secret negotiations between Israel and Egypt at Camp David in September 1978, two agreements were signed at the White House. The first dealt with the future of the Sinai and peace between Israel and Egypt, to be concluded within three months. The second was a framework agreement establishing a format for the conduct of negotiations for the establishment of an autonomy regime in the West Bank and Gaza.

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• President Peres greeting for the Jewish New Year 5769

• Editorials  23-September-2008

• Cabinet communique  21-September-2008

• Scholarships offered by the Israeli Government to the Foreign Students 2008-09

• Israels war against Hizbullah in Lebanon and UNSC Resolution 1701

• Consul General briefs media about Israel's campeign against Hezbollah 19- July-2006

Israel launches its new website and publications in Hindi and Urdu

We are delighted to inform you that the Embassy of Israel, New Delhi, in its unique endeavour to introduce Israel to a larger Indian population, successfully launched its website and publications in two most popular Indian languages - Hindi and Urdu. These new offerings are an attempt to reach out to the Hindi and Urdu speaking population and acquaint them with Israels vibrant contemporary society, growing economy, rich and diverse culture and much more. The website and publications were launched by the Ambassador of Israel, H.E. Mr. Mark Sofer. We request you to log on to our website and also forward the link to your friends and associates. You can visit our Hindi website at www.namasteisrael.com, which has a link to our Urdu website as well. For further information contact the Press Department, Embassy of Israel at spokesman-assist@newdelhi.mfa.gov.il 

Dancing With the (Israeli) Stars 24 April 2008

Leading dancer, choreographer, movie actor and singer Ido Tadmor visited India as a part of his Asia Tour on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Israel's Independence. He was accompanied by pianist Ohan Hitman and the vocalist Adi Cohen. The group performed in Mumbai on 14 March at the Experimental Theatre of the N.C.P.A. and at the India Habitat Center, New Delhi on 17 March. Both the shows were well received with the claps and cheers from the audience.  The show designed for India – ‘You’ was about Israeli music and dance sans translations was successful in capturing Indian audience.

The group also performed for the children at the Naya Jeevan, an NGO working for HIV infected children and had a dance session with the street children at the Don Bosco’s shelter in Mumbai.

Click Here To Read More about Dance in Israel

Minister of Agriculture, Shalom Simhon Visits India 20 January 2008

Israel delegation visits Karnal - The Hindu

Israeli agriculture minister to visit India - Live Mint

Israeli Agriculture Minister to visit India - The Economic Times

Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam Visits Israel - 01 March 2008

Young Israeli researchers floored by Kalam - The Hindu

Abdul Kalam on Israel visit - The Economic Times

 Introduction To Israels Economy

 Israeli economy is dynamic, export oriented, R & D driven and hi tech based.  Poor in natural resources, Israel depends on imports of petroleum, coal, food, uncut diamonds, other production inputs, and military equipment.

Israel possesses a substantial service sector and is the world leader in software development and is a major tourist destination. In 1998, Tel Aviv was named by Newsweek as one of the ten most technologically influential cities in the world.... (More) 

Highlights of the Israeli Economy in year 2007 – Bank of Israel Annual Report

• Israel’s GDP rose by 5.3 % to become US $ 160 billion; per capita income becomes US $ 22500. The rapid growth was led once again by the business sector, based on favourable background conditions; the rapid expansion of exports persisted.

• Unemployment plunged to its lowest level in a decade and stood at 7.3%.

• The ongoing improvement in the state of the economy was also reflected in decisions by external entities- the OECD organization invited Israel to embark on the procedure for joining it, and Israel's credit rating was raised.....Bank of Israel Report on Israeli Economy 2007 

India Israel bilateral trades zooms to US $ 3.3 billion in 2007

According to the latest report published by the Central Bureau of Statistics, Israel, the bilateral trade between Israel and India reached close to US $ 3.3 billion in year 2007 (US $ 2.7 billion in 2006). Israel’s Exports to India grew up by 25 % and stood at US $ 1.562 billion (US $ 1.246 billion in 2006) while its Imports from India increased by 18 % and reached to US $ 1.719 billion.

Diamonds continued to be the important component of trade amounting 66 % of India’s Exports to Israel and 56 % of Israel’s Exports to India. Apart from that machinery constituted 22%, Chemicals 16% in the Israel’s Exports and among the imports Chemicals were 12.74% and Textiles were 7%.

(Source – Ministry of Trade, Industry and Labour, Israel)

Top Ten Reasons to Invest in Israel

Investing In Israel  (Movie)

The Consulate General of Israel, Mumbai celebrated 60 Years of Israel's Independence with Two Musical Concerts. Young and one of the most promising artist from Israel, Liel Kolet performed at the Tata Theatre of the N.C.P.A, Mumbai on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 at 7 pm. Liel began her professional career at the age of 12 when she won the prestigious European talent contest - Bravo Bravissimo and at the young age of 18, Liel has performed with the people like Bill Clinton, Madonna, Richard Gere, Bono and others. She will perform for the Pope and many other world leaders in Rome in May.  Liel was overwhelmed when she visited her ancestral village Koleti and other Jewish places near Alibag during her stay in Mumbai.

On 07 May 2008, the Consulate General of Israel organised a Reception to celebrate 60 years of establishment of the State of Israel.

To celebrate this occasion, an Israeli band from renowned Jerusalem Academy for Music, playing Klezmer music visited India and was the main attraction of the reception. Klezmer (meaning "a musical instrument of song" in Hebrew) is a musical tradition of secular (non-liturgical) Jewish music that was developed around the 15th century in south-eastern Europe by Jewish musicians. The musicians, called Klezmorim, draw on devotional traditions extending back into Biblical times, and their musical legacy continues to evolve today.

The 60th anniversary edition of Facts About Israel (2008) has been published and is currently available for download in pdf format.

• History
• The State
• The Land
• The People
• Health and Social Services
• Education
• Science and Technology
• Economy
• Culture
• Among the Nations
• Facts About Israel (complete book - 6 MB)