ISRAEL’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY GIFT “THE MISSION”

Israel’s honorary consul to New Zealand, Mr David Zwartz has praised a book written by President Gordon B. Hinckley.

The Mission: Inside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was presented to him on May 19 to recognise Israel’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

The presentation was made by the LDS representative on the Wellington Interfaith Council, Brother Tiopira H Rauna,
With Mr Zwartz at the time was Eli Yerushalmi, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy in Canberra, Australia.
The presentation took place at a reception hosted by Israel for some 120 invited diplomatic guests, government ministers, Members of Parliament and civic leaders.

Brother Rauna said that the next day Mr Zwartz told him he had browsed through the book and found it most informative. He had been particularly impressed by the quality of the photographs.
Another copy is being obtained for the Embassy in Canberra.
During the celebration Mr Zwartz issued a press release outlining some of Israel’s achievements during the 60 years.

“Israel has become a world leader in IT, medicine, science and technology, agriculture and water technology,” he said. “Israel recycles 70 per cent of its wastewater for re-use. “Let’s hope that as 60-year-old Israel moves towards peace with her neighbours, the relationship with New Zealand will also improve.”