New Israeli ambassador to Belarus arrived in Minsk :: Charter'97 :: News

The new Israeli ambassador, Zeev Ben Arie, arrived in Minsk on November 30, the Belarusian foreign ministry’s press office told BelaPAN. On his arrival, the ambassador was expected to apply to the Belarusian foreign ministry for official permission to reopen the Israeli embassy in Minsk. Israel closed its embassy in Belarus in July 2002, citing a lack of funds as the reason.

Normally, the procedures necessary to start the operation of an embassy take three or four months following the ambassador`s arrival, that is why the diplomatic mission of Israel may resume operation in February in the same number 6 building on Partizansky Avenue.

Mr. Zeev Ben Arie was born in Ukraine. In 1971, he moved to Israel and worked for the Kol Israel radio station for many years. In 1993, he became an official with the Israeli foreign ministry and served as aide to the Israeli ambassador to Ukraine from 1993 through 1996. In 1997, he headed Israel`s diplomatic mission in Belarus. In the following four years, he served with the embassies in Moscow and Kyiv. Since 2002, Mr. Arie has served with the Israeli foreign ministry in Jerusalem, being responsible for the region that includes Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine.