On March 18, 2021, the Multilateral Chamber of Commerce and Cooperation Israel Ibero-America (now the Israel Ibero-America Chamber of Commerce) held a panel discussion on the March 23 elections in Israel, their outlook and their possible impact on relations with Ibero-America. The event was attended by ambassadors, trade attachés and the general public.
Israel’s March 2021 legislative elections
The March 23, 2021 elections renewed the 120 seats of the Knesset, Israel’s unicameral parliament, and were the fourth legislative elections held in the country in two years.
As a Chamber committed to keeping its finger on the pulse of trends on both sides, the moderator and regional director for Israel, Mr. Matty Zwaig, presented the differences between the main competing parties. He also set out the complex outlook in the face of a possible new electoral “tie” between the blocs that supported or opposed Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the possible coalitions that could be formed.
Videos were then shown about the Chamber’s work in agriculture and international medical cooperation, and director David Obando Abraham addressed a few words to the attendees.
Expert panel on Israel’s political future
Three expert presentations were given:
- Jeaninne Litmanovich, of the “Yesh Atid” party, of Peruvian origin and in charge of relations with Ibero-America and the Balkan countries.
- Stella Avidan, representative of the “Tikva Hadasha” party in the country’s central region, of Argentine origin, a specialist in sustainability policy and adviser to several ministers.
- Sergio Gryn, director of International Cooperation Courses at the Histadrut Leadership Center and a MASHAV point of reference.
Yesh Atid is a party founded by Yair Lapid in 2012, and Tikva Hadasha (New Hope) was founded by Gideon Sa’ar in late 2020. MASHAV is the Agency for International Development Cooperation of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The panelists presented their vision of Israel’s political future, the vision of their leaders and their interest in continuing and deepening relations with the Ibero-American countries.
International cooperation in education and violence prevention
Regarding the cooperation courses, emphasis was placed on the need to complement the strengths and weaknesses of both parties, both in theoretical planning and in practical implementation, for example in the areas of education or violence prevention.
It was noted that technological advances can address only part of the equation and that MASHAV courses are able, even in these times of digital courses, to contribute to mutual benefit.
With this activity, the Chamber continued its line of positioning and consolidating multilateral relations, and invited attendees to its next event, scheduled for April.
The Chamber and Israel
The Israel Ibero-America Chamber of Commerce (CILIB) is a private, international, non-profit organization, founded in Israel in 2019 and registered in Florida (USA), that works in foreign trade, training and cooperation between Israel, 22 Ibero-American countries, Andorra and the USA. See the Israel country profile, discover the training offered by the CILIB Academy or read more about the Chamber.
