Full Breakdown
Cultural Diplomacy and Heritage Celebration at Israel’s National Library
7/10/2026, 10:22:59 PM
Cultural Diplomacy at Israel’s National Library
On the day after the Irish parliament approved a bill banning imports from Israeli settlements, the Israel-Ireland Friendship League hosted a special ceremony at the National Library in Jerusalem. Irish Ambassador Sonya McGuinness attended the presentation of the 23rd volume of *The Genealogical History of the Jewish Communities of Ireland*, completing a series that records 82,000 individuals from 15 synagogues and Jewish organisations. The event also featured a Swahili Language Day reception, a memorial exhibition for the late Rabbi Edward Belfer, and a brief awards segment recognising Israeli Paralympic and Olympic figures.
Historical and Genealogical Context
The genealogical series, compiled by Stuart Rosenblatt, president of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Ireland, began in 2022 with the first 22 volumes. Rosenblatt’s work, based on painstaking archival research, corrects earlier assessments that he had “no academic future.” The 23rd volume’s inclusion in the National Library’s collection marks the completion of the project and underscores the documented presence of Irish-born Jews and their descendants.
Official Statements from Diplomats and Organizers
Ambassador McGuinness used her remarks to acknowledge the global prevalence of antisemitism, noting its existence in Ireland while emphasizing the Jewish community’s “tremendous contribution” to Irish society. Library director of partnerships Naomi Schachter highlighted the role of scholars like Rosenblatt in safeguarding Jewish history. Yochai Ben-Ghedalia, director of the library’s archives, stressed that the documents enable Irish-heritage individuals to trace familial settlement patterns in Ireland. Tanzanian Ambassador Alex Gabriel Kallua described Swahili Language Day as a platform for “peace, solidarity, and economic diplomacy worldwide,” and praised Tanzania’s commitment to deepen ties with Israel.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In her address, in which she mentioned the scourge of antisemitism, which is so prevalent around the globe, she admitted that it also exists in Ireland, but added that it cannot take away from the tremendous contribution the Jewish community made to Ireland’s evolution.” — Sonya McGuinness, Irish Ambassador
- “we can safely safeguard the history of the Jewish people.” — Naomi Schachter, Library Director of Partnerships
- “Sport is more than competition. It’s a way of life,” — Moshe “Mutz” Matalon, Chairman of Israel’s Paralympic Committee
- “Kallua said that the focus of this year’s Swahili Language Day was peace, solidarity, and economic diplomacy worldwide.” — Alex Gabriel Kallua, Tanzanian Ambassador
- “Haskel commented on the excellent relations between the two countries and the role of Swahili in promoting peace and harmony.” — Gil Haskel, former Israeli Ambassador to Tanzania
These coordinated cultural programs illustrate how diplomatic venues in Israel are being leveraged to celebrate shared histories, promote linguistic ties, and honor community contributions across diverse national backgrounds.
