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New Consul General

Tzipora Rimon takes over Israel's Midwest o ce.

PHILLIP JACOBS
Editor

Since 1994, Rimon has filled the
position of divisional director in the
Israel Foreign Ministry's economic
department, working with Jordan,
Egypt, the Palestinian Authority and
the Gulf states. She has also participat-
ed in the Regional Economic
Development Working Group (the
multilateral' track of the Middle East

hen Executive Vice
President Robert
Aronson introduced
Tzipora Rimon to the
•
audience at the Jewish Federation's
annual meeting last week, it was his
hope that her name and face
would become something of a
familiarity to Detroit Jews.
Rimon was named recently
the Midwest consul general of
Israel. She shares Aronson's
hopes: she wants to be a fre-
• quent visitor to the Detroit
area.
"She's a breath of fresh air,"
said Aronson. "She's concerned
about establishing a construc-
tive relationship with
Federation. She strikes me as
being knowledgeable about
our community. She's anxious
to learn."
The consul general's office
to the Midwest is based in
Chicago. In the past, the criti-
cism of the office, at least from
Detroiters, is that the consul
general didn't pay much atten-
tion to Detroit.
Indeed, former Consul
General Arthur Avnon wasn't
well known here. He was not a
frequent visitor to Detroit.
The Midwest office covers
Missouri, Kansas, Michigan,
Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana,
Wisconsin, Ohio and North
and South Dakota.
"In a couple of respects, we
Tzipora Rimon: Seeking a good relationship.
feel her physical presence here
in Detroit is 'the most impor-
tant role she can play," said Jewish
peace talks) as well as in discussions
Community Council Executive
and negotiations on bilateral and mul-
Director David Gad-Harf. "We hope
tilateral trade issues.
she will be a frequent visitor. She'll be
Rimon shares the sentiments about
able to meet with many more people
Detroit. She wants to be available to
and be able to interpret the develop-
this area, especially because of its
ments in Israel and in the Middle
active ties to Israel. She sees, her role in
East."
several areas, including explaining the
The consul general is ostensibly the
peace process, economic development
diplomat from Israel connecting with
and Diaspora relations.
a certain area of the country. The
"People here want to know what is
Midwest office covers the largest area
the position on Israel," she said. "We
in the United States.
want to create that sort of dialogue."

On the peace process, she said,
"Remember, it's a process. We knew
from the beginning that it would not
produce immediate results. It has its
ups and downs. But there are many
considerations.
"Sometimes countries ask Israel to
come to the peace table as if nothing
is happening around it. We have had
bombs exploding on our
streets. Our main priority is to
protect our citizens. When we
talk about peace, both sides
have to create conditions that
enable talks to carry on."
There is also the issue of
pluralism in Israel. Rimon
says that Israelis are truly
interested in the reaction of
Diaspora Jews. She added that
as part of her job, she'll be
engaging Jews from the
Midwest in dialogue, specifi-
cally on the issue of pluralism.

©1995, American Heart Association

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"We need to seek solutions
to this issue, because we need
unity within Israel for the
Jewish people. This is some-
thing that will be talked about
in many areas. Unity is so
important."
The other area of priority is
economic development.
Rimon is fully aware of
Detroit's lead in the national
Partnership 2000 program, an eco-
nomic and cultural exchange between
U.S. cities and regions in Israel.
Detroit continues to be active in its
partnership with the Central Galilee
region. Also, Rimon was familiar with
the involvement of Detroit's leader-
ship within Israel in industry
"This is a great Jewish city and
area," she said. "I want to build the
relationship to be even better. I will be
a familiar face here. Detroit and
Michigan are important to Israel."

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10/17

1997

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