Embassy of Ethiopia

On May 19, 1948, Uruguay became the first Latin American country to recognize the new State of Israel, a mere five days after it had declared its independence. To celebrate and explore the rich historic relationship between Israel and Uruguay, His Excellency Carlos Gianelli Derois, Uruguayan Ambassador to the United States has invited the AU community to the Embassy of Uruguay on Wednesday, September 9 at 6:00 for “Empanadas and Conversation.” Ambassador Gianelli will also introduce His Excellency Nestor Alejandro Rosa Navarro, who was recently appointed Uruguay’s Ambassador to Israel. Ambassador Rosa has been serving Uruguay in Washington, DC as itsDeputy Representative to the Organization of American States. Center for Israel Studies Scholar-in-Residence Dan Arbell, a former Israeli diplomat, will participate in the conversation about Israel’s relations with Latin America. The event will culminate with a reception hosted by the Uruguayan Embassy.

The September 9 event, “Uruguay and Israel: a Historic Partnership,” is the first in a series of “Global Israel” events presented by the Center for Israel Studies at different Embassies in Washington this fall. The events will explore several facets of Israel’s diplomatic, economic and cultural relations with countries in Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Students will be able to pose questions and enjoy a reception featuring cultural foods from each nation.

The Global Israel event at the Embassy of Ethiopia on October 8 will feature not only the rich trade relationship between the countries but a discussion of the large Ethiopian diaspora living in Israel. Ethiopian Israelis, called Beta Israel, now number approximately 135,000. The Beta Israel, judged by some Israeli rabbis to have descended from the biblical tribe of Dan, were brought to Israel in several waves beginning in the late 1970s, including two airlifts, Operation Moses and Operation Solomon.

Later in the Fall Semester, the Series will move to the German Embassy to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two states. Representatives of the German and Israeli embassies to the United States and Seymour and Lillian Abensohn Chair in Israel Studies Michael Brenner will discuss the history of Israel’s special relationship with Germany throughout the past half century and into the future.

The Global Israel Series is supported by Barbara Ann Bender in memory of her mother, Sondra D. Bender, a long-time trustee of American University. Free transportation for AU students to the embassies will be provided.

To reserve a ticket, please use our event RSVP.