Israel’s first Ambassador to Eire, Gideon Rafael, presented his credentials to President Cearbhall O’Dalaigh of the Irish Republic at the Presidential Palace this morning. Rafael, who is also Israel’s envoy to Britain, opened his formal speech in Gaelic and the Irish President responded with opening words in Hebrew. Both completed their remarks in English.
After the formal presentation, the President and the Israeli Ambassador conferred in the President’s office for 20 minutes where they were joined by the Foreign Minister of Eire, Dr. Garret Fitzgerald. On leaving the palace, Rafael re viewed an honor guard while a military band played Hatikvah. Later, the Ambassador paid courtesy calls on Dublin’s Mayor James O’Keefe, the Foreign Minister, the permanent head of the Foreign Ministry, P.J.G. Keating, the Papal Nuncio, and the doyen of the diplomatic corps here.
Rafael also met with leaders of Dublin’s Jewish community. He will attend a reception at the Jewish Community Center tomorrow and an event of the Jewish National Fund. The Ambassador was accompanied on his rounds by his wife, Nurith Rafael; the Israeli Consul General, Zeev Suffot; and the Press Attache, Gabriel Padon.
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