HE Zvi Heifetz, Ambassador of Israel
Meeting chaired by Jacqui Lait MP
Ambassador Heifetz was born in Russia before emigrating to Israel at the age of 14. He spent seven years working for Israeli Intelligence and achieved the rank of Major in the Israeli Army. He has a Law degree from Tel Aviv University and is a member of the Israeli Bar.
In 1999 he was appointed Vice-Chairman of Maariv Group (second largest media group in Israel) and in 2001 was Chairman of the music production company Hed-Arzi and Tower Records in Israel.
1989 he was one of the first Israeli groups of diplomats at the Netherlands Embassy in Moscow and in 1990-97 he was External Legal adviser to the Prime Minister’s Office on issues relating to the former Soviet Union. Since 2003 he acted as adviser and spokesman for the Ministry of Defence with the Russian media.
He has spent two years in London – and is primarily a lawyer
He started his speech with a quote from Boris Johnson MP:
The Tory Party - the funkiest, most jiving Party on Earth
Main points to discuss:
- change in the Middle East – change is in the air
- tomorrow Israel goes to the polls to elect a new Parliament
- Ariel Sharon – is very much in charge of the new Party – Kadima
Polls are always right – the Election day is wrong
- He expressed his strong view that Hamas must renounce violence – the Israeli Community commands it. Hamas is playing a game of double-speak. Their website shows a suicide bomber saying it is their intention to get the blood of the Jews. There have been many incidents of terror – tackling this problem needs time and money. Progress is impossible with violence and terror. There are some in the EU that call for an inclusive policy with Hamas – but this is legitimising terror he believes.
we have a responsibility to the Palestinian people; but we must condemn Hamas
Israel is a strong supporter of democracy: democracy should prevail.
An erudite vote of thanks from Vice Chairman, Dr Charles Goodson-Wickes DL, followed.