Historic Tonga visit
The speaker of Israel’s Knesset has made an historic visit to the island of Tonga in the South Pacific.
Knesset Speaker Mr. Rivlin exchanges gifts with Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu in an historical delegation to Tonga last week Pic: Taimi Media Network
Amongst friends, Israel's Foreign Affairs Director Mrs. Ratzabi, Israeli Ambassador to Tonga Mr. Tzur, Mr. Katz of the Israel-New Zealand Parliamentary Friendship Group, and the Speakerof the Knesset's Senior Adviser Harel Tubi Pic: Taimi Media Network
Reuvin Rivlin became the first ever speaker of the Knesset to travel to the kingdom, spending three days on an official visit to the archipelago, accompanied by Israel’s non-resident ambassador, Shemi Tzur.
He was received by the Speaker of Tonga’s Parliament, Lord Lasike, and by King George Tupou V at the Consular House. He also met Health Minister ‘Uliti Uata to donate insulin to Vaiola Hospital’s Diabetes Unit, the Tonga Chronicle reported.
“Many people know about Israel, about the Holy Land, about the Jewish culture and they know that we are a friendly country and this gives you a great feeling that you’re coming to a really friendly country.”
“Wherever I go I feel the people are very friendly towards Israel and I really feel like I want to give that friendship back,” Ambassador Tzur said to Tonga Chronicle last week.
“This is a visit to enhance and rekindle friendly relations between Israel and Tonga.”
