Grapevine, June 29, 2026: Diplomatic dilemmas - opinion

Occasionally, the ambassadors of two countries host national day receptions on the same date. Fellow diplomats and other invitees to both then have to decide in which order to make an appearance.

When both receptions are held in Herzliya Pituah, which is where most ambassadors live, the decision is comparatively easy.

But when one reception is in Herzliya and the other in Tel Aviv, with traffic congestion or demonstrations sometimes getting in the way, it’s somewhat more difficult.

Last Tuesday was exceptionally difficult because diplomats who were invited to both the reception hosted by British Ambassador Simon Walters at his residence in Ramat Gan in honor of the birthday of King Charles III, and to a special reception in Jerusalem at the media center of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in honor of Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi had no way of attending more than one of the two events.

The residence of the British ambassador has no on-site parking, and guests have to either park a long distance away and walk uphill or take a taxi.

But even then, police and embassy security personnel do not allow taxis past a certain point, and passengers have to get out and walk the rest of the way.

Some guests who have experienced this in the past choose to arrive particularly early so they can park their cars as close as possible to the residence, rather than several streets away.

Unfortunately, they’re not allowed in until the start time printed on the invitation, and there’s only one bench in the street, with seating for only three people.

As the number of those standing outside increased, a military bagpiper emerged from the residence to entertain the crowd. He was in full regalia – a red tartan kilt with matching knee socks, black shoes with large buckles, a sporran dangling from his waist, and a bearskin hat on his head.

Eventually, the residence was crowded with some 500 guests. The theme was British all the way, from the moment anyone stepped inside the house.

There was a huge urn filled with fans in choices of red, white, or blue – the colors on the Union Jack – but strangely, unlike in previous years, the weather was neither hot nor humid, and only a few guests took a fan as a souvenir.

On the banister leading from the patio to the garden, there were trellises of white roses, and elsewhere there were British flowers and plants.

There was British music – both recorded and live – and the traditionally British cuisine included fish and chips presented in cones of newsprint.

Embassy staff politely introduced themselves to guests they didn’t know and asked whether they could bring them refreshments – a truly nice touch seldom seen elsewhere.

Among the early birds was Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat, who represented the government and – unlike his colleagues, who usually arrive just a few minutes before the official ceremony – arrived 10 minutes before the doors to the residence were opened.

He walked around in the street talking to people, and took it in good spirit later in the evening when an electrical fault killed the microphone just as he had begun his address.

He turned around, shook the hands of all the members of the band who were on stage behind him, and descended into the crowd. A few minutes later, he was back on stage and delivered his speech without any further hitch.

Walters, in his own address, noted the presence of former hostages and their relatives with links to Britain, with whom the embassy had maintained close contact.

The ambassador also mentioned that the British government realizes the urgency of combating antisemitism and has given it high priority.

He also spoke of the many joint projects of the UK and Israel, and in particular noted the 15th anniversary of the UK government-supported UK-Israel Tech Hub.

Walters emphasized that the reception was an opportunity to reaffirm the strong and enduring partnership between the UK and Israel.

Despite disagreements over certain issues, the partnership is thriving, as evidenced by the 3.6% increase in bilateral trade, which in 2025 reached £6.2 billion.

Barkat also mentioned the increase in trade and deplored the spike in antisemitism in Britain, but at the same time reminded those present that it was Britain that, through the Balfour Declaration, took the first step toward internationally recognized statehood. Barkat termed it “a crucial stepping stone in the Zionist movement.”

Both Walters and Barkat mentioned that Britain’s Royal Air Force had played a significant role in the fight against Iran.

In speaking of shared values between Israel and the UK, Barkat listed democracy, the rule of law, and the sanctity of human life.

He recalled that, prior to assuming the throne, Charles had visited Israel three times, including to pay his respects at the grave of his paternal grandmother, who is buried on the Mount of Olives.

Though not stated, the implied message was that Israel would like Charles to make a fourth visit, this time as king.

■ THE JERUSALEM reception for the president of Somaliland was hosted by Friends of Zion founder and president Mike Evans, who has, in one way or another, hosted all the ambassadors whose embassies are in Jerusalem.

There are now eight embassies in the capital, and more are anticipated. Evans, an ardent supporter and personal friend of US President Donald Trump, is currently focused on getting the president to officially recognize Somaliland.

In an interview with i24NEWS’ Middle East Now program, Somaliland President Abdirahman discussed the country’s evolving relationships with the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel, and said that cooperation with these countries is already under way.

He urged countries that refuse to recognize Somaliland to “join before it is too late.” Some of these countries are actually under the radar in their relations with Somaliland.

At the reception that he hosted for the president of Somaliland, Evans announced his intention to speak to Trump about full diplomatic recognition.

He also presented Abdullahi with the Friends of Zion Award, a menorah-shaped award that signifies those who receive it have brought light into the world.

Abdullahi, in accepting the award, said that he was greatly moved and grateful because the award symbolizes recognition of the growing friendship and ties between Somaliland and Israel.

“It’s time to bless all the states that bless Israel,” said Evans, borrowing from a verse in the Bible.

Among the diplomats who attended the event were the ambassadors of Panama, Fiji, and the Czech Republic. There were diplomats from other countries who asked that their presence not be mentioned. Unfortunately, it’s easy to understand why.

■ THE EMBASSIES of Poland and Ukraine have very close relations, but seldom more so than since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and the enormous humanitarian relief that Poland has provided for Ukrainian refugees.

The two embassies are jointly hosting a special screening of the prizewinning film Mr. Jones on June 23.

The film, by Agnieszka Holland, is based on Welsh journalist Gareth Jones, who exposed the genocidal famine in Ukraine during the Stalinist era, though, like any feature film based on the history of a person or a place, it deviates slightly from the truth. Registration is required.

■ TIROCHE, WHICH is arguably Israel’s oldest and largest auction house of the precious objects from deceased estates, will hold its annual art auction on Sunday, June 28, featuring some of the top names in Israeli art from three major collections of collectors who divided their time between their home countries and Israel.

They were Joseph and Gerda Brender of Sydney, Australia, Rubin and Feigie Zimmerman of Canada, and Nathan Kaplan of Chicago.

Some of the works to be auctioned have never been publicly sold. Works to be auctioned include paintings by Natan Gutman, Reuven Rubin, Mordecai Ardon, Yigal Ozeri, Yohanan Simon, Joseph Zaritsky, and Lea Nikel. For avid collectors of Israeli art, this auction will be a real treasure trove.

■ CHABADNIKS AROUND the world this week marked the 32nd anniversary of the death of their leader Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who died on the third day of the Hebrew calendar month of Tamuz, corresponding to June 12, 1994.

He was the last in a dynasty, but his spirit, teachings, and values remain constant in Chabad circles.

This coming Shabbat, there will be a special kiddush gathering in his memory in Jerusalem. Chabad of Rehavia and Nahlaot at 2 Ibn Ezra Street will host Rabbi Yanki Burger, the Chabad envoy from Sydney, who will talk about community spirit in the face of challenges, with particular emphasis on the Bondi Beach massacre and the rise of antisemitism in the southernmost continent, and how the strength and solidarity of the Jewish community have grown.