NEWS FROM ISRAEL For current developments in Israel, speeches & announcements of Israeli officials as well as pictures & videos, please click here. Remains of Eldav Regev and Ehud Goldwasser officially identified. On Wednesday, 16 July 2008, after two years of waiting for a sign of life from the two abducted Israeli soldiers, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, their bodies were returned to Israel. They were laid to rest on Thursday, July 17. For full story, please click here. Two years in terrorist captivity. Two years have passed since the unprovoked abduction of IDFGilad Shalit on the Israeli side of the border with Gaza. For full story, please click here. BILATERAL NEWS The embassy participated again (05/10/2008) at the Steliou Ioannou Bazaar, a philanthropic event held once a year in Nicosia. The embassy staff manned a kiosk with products from Israel and collected 1200 euros for this worthy cause. Mr. Yossi Rosen, Chairman of the Board of Israel Oil Refineries and President of Ofer Holdings Group visited Cyprus at the invitation of the Cyprus - Israel Business Association. During his stay in Cyprus, Mr. Rosen met with the Minister of Commerce, Industry & Tourism H.E Mr. Antonis Paschalides and with Mr. Manthos Mavrommatis, President of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The Cyprus-Israel Business Association with the co-operation of the embassy organised a very successful business lunch with Mr. Rosen as the guest speaker on Wednesday the 10th of September 2008 at the Hilton Hotel in Nicosia. The topic of his speech was entitled: “The Israeli economy as part of the global economy and economic opportunities for co-operation between Israel & Cyprus”. Present at the lunch were the Minister of Commerce, Industry & Tourism H.E Mr. Antonis Paschalides, the President of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & Industry Mr Manthos Mavrommatis, H.E The Ambassador of Israel Mr. Avraham Haddad, the President (Mr. Christakis Papavassiliou) & members of the Cyprus – Israel Business Association as well as many other distinguished businessmen from Cyprus and abroad. An Israeli film week was held from the 20-24 May 2008 (which is within the framework of the cultural events to mark the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel) at the UNESCO amphitheatre of the University of Nicosia (Intercollege). The opening of the film week was held on Monday, the 19th of May 2008 with the screening of “Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi” followed by a reception for all those that attended. The program included dramas and comedies, produced at different times, which are award-winning and have received wide recognition both in Israel and abroad. The main aim, with the variety of films that were screened, was to give a taste of the Israeli art of cinema. The Embassy marked the 60th Anniversary of Independence of Israel with a very successful celebration on the 7th of May, 2008 at the Hilton Park Hotel in Nicosia. The guest of honour was the President of the Republic of Cyprus, H.E. Mr. Demetris Christofias, who also responded to the toast, proposed by Ambassador Avraham Haddad. Many guests attended the event, including ministers, members of Parliament, foreign diplomats, distinguished businessmen but also alumni who have attended MASHAV programs as well as members of the Cyprus Israel Friendship Association and Cyprus Israel Business Association. Within the framework of the cultural events to mark the 60th Anniversary of the State of Israel, the embassy inaugurated on the 7th of April 2008 at the Marfin Laiki Cultural Centre Hall in Nicosia a photographic exhibition entitled “1946-1948 Historic Milestones”. The exhibition presents a small part of the journey from the concentration camps to the Holy Land. The last stop of this journey was Cyprus, where the Holocaust survivors were sent since the British prohibited their entrance to Palestine. The every day life of the immigrants in the camps of Karaolos (Famagusta), Dekhelia and Xylotymbou, their relation with the Cypriots, their nutrition, their celebrations for the establishment of the State of Israel and their final Journey from Famagusta to Israel are imprinted in black and white pictures that can be viewed by the public from the 8th - 11th of April 2008. A presentation by Mr. Ezra Habas, inventor of the mushroom growing machine was held on Friday 22nd February, 2008 at the Agricultural Research Institute in Nicosia.The presentation was attended by mushroom growers as well as many individuals who have an interest in new technologies & innovations in the agricultural field. The mushroom growing machine offers numerous advantages in comparison to the non-mechanical methods of mushroom cultivation that were analysed in depth by the presenter. A question and answer session followed the presentation. A mobile desalination plant will be turning out 20,000 cu.m of water a day in eight months in the Moni area of Limassol until a permanent unit is completed in Episkopi Bay in three years that will cover the water needs of Limassol. Water Development Department Director Christodoulos Artemis signed the contract for the Moni plant in Nicosia on the 13th of February 2008 with David Dwek and Mino Negrin, representatives of the Sub Sea Infrastructure (UK) & Nirosoft Industries (Israel) joint venture. The local partner/agent is Logicom Public, an international group of companies. Agriculture Minister Photis Photiou and the Ambassador of Israel Avraham Haddad attended the ceremony in Nicosia. Speaking after the ceremony, Minister Photiou said that the mobile desalination plant would solve the serious water shortage problem facing Limassol for the next three years. | 
