Jerusalem, 3 June 2010

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND DIASPORA AFFAIRS MINISTRY OPENS CONTACT CENTER FOR
DIASPORA JEWISH COMMUNITIES
(Communicated by the Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs Ministry
Spokeswoman)

Following the provocative flotilla to Gaza and in wake of displays of
anti-Semitism around the world

The flotilla that sailed for Gaza under the guise of humanitarian assistance
and the additional vessels due to reach Gaza in the coming days have created
the need for Jews and Jewish community leaders from around the world to
receive real-time information and updates from Israel.

This need arose in the wake of Diaspora Jews' concerns over displays of
anti-Semitism and anti-Israel activity in their countries following the
provocative flotilla.

Therefore, the Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs Ministry, led by
Minister Yuli Edelstein, has decided to respond to the challenge and open a
contact center for Diaspora Jewish communities that will operate from within
the Ministry.

The contact center will operate in order to advance three goals:

To monitor and update information in the various media;
Social media – to post information and updates, including videos, pictures
and current information from the ground;
To be in direct and continuous contact with world Jewish bodies in order to
relay material in real-time.

The contact center will be operated by representatives of the IDF
Spokesperson's Office, leaders of Jewish organizations (such as Maccabi, the
Jewish Agency, the World Union of Jewish Students and others), public
diplomacy organizations and volunteers, under the direction of Shai Atias,
director of the Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs Ministry's Public
Diplomacy Department.

The contact center will provide immediate responses and updates, including
interviews, and may be contacted at 972-2-6587103 or hadarkesher@gmail.com.