At the Israel Bonds Cleveland Women’s Division sponsorship event on July 21, Tammy Ben-Haim, Minister of Public Diplomacy at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC, will speak about the country’s innovations, anti-Semitism, and the role women play in building diplomacy Bridges are discussed between countries around the world.
“One of the issues I care about is environmental issues,” she said in a phone interview with the Cleveland Jewish News on July 6, commenting on Israel’s work to address droughts and increasing water needs across the country. “Israel is the only country in the Middle East that has managed to break free from the constant struggle for water by innovating, figuring out what can be done, and recycling water. Now we are no longer dependent on nature and can feel safe. “
Ben-Haim, a professional diplomat who has spent more than 17 years in the State Department and over 20 years in the civil service, also said that if she speaks to the good guys, she must discuss genuine criticism of Israel. But one should distinguish legitimate problems from anti-Semitic and anti-Israel tropes.
“It’s always a very slippery slope,” she said. “Much begins with justified criticism, but very quickly moves into the realm of anti-Israel and anti-Semitism. Israel plays a role in this. We are the only Jewish state in the whole world. It’s our job to stand up for ourselves, but also to tell people that criticism is legitimate. “
During her time at the ministry in Jerusalem, Ben-Haim worked on both Central and South Asia. She also served as the deputy head of mission in Athens, Greece, and as a domestic policy advisor in New Delhi. Ben-Haim served in the Israeli armed forces as an air force operations officer and graduated with the rank of lieutenant. She holds a Masters Degree in International Relations from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
With her experience in past and current leadership positions, Ben-Haim hopes to address the important role women play in innovation.
“It is very important to me that women stand up for women and women try to hire women,” she said. “People always say that someone has a tendency to hire someone who is like them. So men hired other men over the years. I have one of the largest departments here at the embassy, so I think it’s incredibly important to have a team of women who work together to get things done and get the message across. “
And one of those messages is the importance of investing in Israeli bonds. That is one of the reasons why she took part in this event, said Ben-Haim.
“We have worked with Israel Bonds in the past, but they invest in Israel,” she said. “They are the ones who are the most optimistic – they believe that Israel is a technological leader, that Israel can do something for the region and the world. And not only do they believe it, but they are also trying to get other people and organizations to invest in Israel. There is much good, potential and opportunity in Israel. So I appreciate the work they do because I’m right with them. “
The Israel Bonds Women’s Division was founded in 1956 by Golda Meier. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the founding of Israel Bonds, the previous chairmen of the Cleveland Women’s Division will be honored.
Development Corporation for Israel, commonly known as Israel Bonds, is a broker-dealer writing securities issued by the State of Israel in the United States. Since Israel Bonds was founded in 1951, Israel has kept a perfect record of interest and principal payments.
