Shalom and Marhaba!
Five months later, with countless memories, photos, and new friends added to our lives, Expo 2020 Dubai continues to serve as a towering event that grabbed our collective attention, imagination, and awe for over six exciting months.
The Israel Pavilion was the cynosure of all eyes, not just for its unique, open-tent style, Bedouin-Esque design, and structure, but its maiden presence in an Arab country-hosted event, following the Abraham Accords agreements and the doors of diplomacy and people-to-people relations that opened thereafter.
I was Responsible for all the Protocol, Liaison, and relation-building activities and reach-outs, my tasks consisted of the usual predictable challenges and opportunities, like with any other Country Pavilion, but along with these, they also presented so many unique and incredible elements that came with the equation.
As I recall the historic opening ceremony of the Israel Pavilion on the 7th of October 2021, the image that comes to mind is that of two worlds coming together on a momentous platform- the “World’s Greatest Show”, a mega Expo event that succeeded against all odds, even eclipsing the global pandemic that was swirling around us. As the Mezuzah was ceremoniously placed at the entrance to the Pavilion, witnessed by all our invited guests that including high profile Ministers and VVIPs from the UAE and Israel, as well as other eminent personalities, guests, and well-wishers of both nations, it served as a beautiful and sacred reminder that the Pavilion would come to be home and, like all new homes, it would welcome countless visitors and set the stage for many memorable events.
Over the next six months, I was privileged to not just witness, but become an active participant in the series of extraordinary relationship-building efforts and wheels of constructive endeavors that were set in motion. Whether it was managing and executing all Protocol policies and arrangements to ensure that the Israel Pavilion puts its best foot forward whilst receiving our high-priority guests and visitors, to liaising with Expo 2020 and local government representatives and stakeholders to fulfill our objectives and coordinate on linked interests, cultivating strategic diplomatic, institutional, economic and business networking links and bridges, managing high profile Israeli Government/business/trade delegations and missions, raising Israel’s profile and soft power influence through cultural event extravaganzas and diverse people-to-people engagements, or the every-day smooth functioning of Pavilion machinery, each little or big pursuit pushed us toward our goals and milestones, set against the magnificent and commendably organized Expo 2020 backdrop.
While on one hand, the serious side of the business and diplomacy-related efforts were in full swing with multiple trade events, business forums and panels, industry-specific seminars and networking galas, official Ministerial visits, bilateral meetings, and MoU signings between Abraham Accords countries, they were complimented by equally crucial and impactful efforts around bridging inter-religious, cultural, social, environmental and next-generation relationship building, respect, tolerance, and understanding.
Although each ‘Expo Moment’ becomes a part of our collective legacy, two events are particularly ingrained in my mind, for their deep significance in my professional and personal life experiences. The first is the maiden State Visit by an Israeli President to the UAE, heralding a new era in UAE-Israel relations. The weeks of hectic preparations and minute detailing, leading to President Isaac Herzog’s visit on the occasion of Israel’s National Day on January 31st (the Expo assigns an official National Day to each country pavilion to honor and celebrate its heritage and culture), culminated and crystallized into a very historic moment in time. As I walked with the official delegation, during its tour of the UAE Pavilion, one could clearly sense a palpable atmosphere of camaraderie and deep respect shared by President Herzog and His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai. The attitude and determination of the leadership were very positive and inspiring to those that witnessed several such novel and warm moments between the two nations over the course of the Expo.
Another iconic event held at the Pavilion was the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marked by a solemn ceremony on the 27th of November 2021 to commemorate the victims and survivors and honor the strength of the human spirit. It was a very sobering occasion and the audience, ranging across various nationalities and different faiths, reflected on the importance of our collective stand against hate and bigotry.
Whether it was people from all over the world dancing to Israeli bands (with the occasional Indian Punjabi music thrown in!), or rapturously listening to The Jerusalem Orchestra East and West, members of the Jewish community in UAE coming together with Emirati and Arab friends and guests to enjoy a Sufganiyot after the lighting of the Hannukiah at the Pavilion, breaking bread during Shabbat, an official meeting over Moroccan mint tea, subconsciously humming the Pavilion show’s theme song, or clicking selfies in front of the “Journey to Tomorrow” sculpture that connects Arabic-Hebrew, Expo 2020 Dubai served as the ideal microcosm of the world as it should be- using people, culture, music, trade, food, language, festivals, colors, diversity, and common dreams and goals as the forging factors of human civilization.
Much to hope for when minds and hearts are connected!
