27.01.2012                      03.Schwat. 5772                      Auschwitz-Gedenk-Tag

Feature:

The Knesset: 120 potential diplomats

Delegations of parliamentarians work to strengthen Israel’s diplomatic position abroad – even if they disagree on how to do it.

On the surface, Israel’s ties with other countries are managed by the Foreign Ministry, and sometimes the Prime Minister’s Office, or the recently established Public Diplomacy Ministry. However, for decades, there has been another channel, by which public figures have represented Israel abroad to very little fanfare: parliamentary diplomacy.

Throughout the year, delegations of MKs travel to international organizations and present their views on various issues – though, usually, they’re asked to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict….