Jerusalem One Week with Many Flags

Flags.

It is hard to keep up with so many flags.

I often have said that since moving to Jerusalem, Israel, I have learned flags of the world.

Sign to US Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel

The Israeli blue and white flags for the Jerusalem Day celebrations were up for the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem.

Limo with Guatemala and Israel flags

The red, white, and blue US flags were quickly replaced by the blue and white flags of Guatemala, as the official Guatemalan presidential motorcade moved through the Jerusalem streets.

Motorcycles in motorcade for President of Guatemala In Jerusalem Israel

Motorcycles noisily escorted the limousines carrying President Jimmy Morales and his delegation.

King David Hotel Reception for President to Guatemala after opening Jerusalem Embassy

The opening of the Guatemalan embassy in Jerusalem was marked by a festive reception at the King David Hotel. Shouts of Viva Guatemala! rung out in the hall.

Boxes ready to recycle at Jerusalem Waldorf Astoria

Jerusalem hotels are full, bustling and busy over this extended holiday season. How many meals? These crushed boxes outside the Jerusalem Waldorf, a few of how many?

King David Hotel dessert table for Guatemala event

There were sweet tables full of delicacies, with flowing red and white wine, at the various international celebrations.

President of Israel and Paraguay in Jerusalem Israel prior to opening Paraguayan Embassy in Jerusalem

Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes, with his official motorcade, stopped by Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, on his way to the opening of the Paraguayan Embassy in Jerusalem.

 Horacio Cartes Paraguayan President signs official Israeli guest book at Beit Hanasi before opening of Paraguay Embassy in Jerusalem Israel

Here the Paraguayan president is signing the official presidential guest book. The two presidents shared warm messages of friendship before the motorcade sped away to open the third Embassy in Jerusalem this week.

However, as usual, there is much more going on than gets media attention in Jerusalem, Israel.

JVP signs at Forbes Under 30 Global Summit

The Forbes Under 30 Global Summit was held in Israel. It is the first ever Forbes Global Summit of young entrepreneurs, and it included a service day in an exhausting full schedule of speakers and touring.

Erel Maraglit and Randall Lane at Forbes 30 Under 30 at JVP Jerusalem Israel

Russell Lane, Chief Content Officer of Forbes Media, (left) and Erel Margalit, Founder and Chairman of Jerusalem Venture Partners, JVP, opened the service day event.  The JVP site served as the mandate’s official mint under the British and was later abandoned.

Global Summit of Forbes Under 30 in Jerusalem Israel JVP

Margalit renovated the old building complex, and sparked startup and technology development in Jerusalem. JVP was an ideal location for hundreds of international young entrepreneurs to meet, collaborate, and learn.

Second year for Forbes 30 Under 30 musician from Germany JVP Jerusalem Israel

Most, but not all participants were first time visitors to Jerusalem. One German musician returned as an investor, after having been a participant in a regional Under 30 held in Israel last year.

Jerusalem Israel service day Forbes Global summit one team poses for photo at JVP

Asked why Israel was chosen for the first Global Summit, Lane answered, “After two successful regional summits, the participants enjoyed the great venue. Israel is a crossroads with an historical perspective and a recognized status among nations. ” He added, a parallel session was being held in Rawabi and the goal was to “leave the region better than we found it.”

Beit Alliance courtyard people talking

Forbes was not the only gathering of entrepreneurs. Made in Jerusalem hosted a special Happy Hour at Beit Alliance with WeWork Creative.

Made in Jerusalem Happy Hour - WeWork Creative awards kickoff at Beit Alliance Jerusalem Israel

Previous winners of WeWork’s startup funding shared their experiences with the audience. A mega event is being planned for June 20, 2018, in Jerusalem.

sign for Israel Festival in Jerusalem Israel

Politics has hit the long running popular Israel Festival in Jerusalem. A week before opening, Portuguese playwright Tiago Rodrigues informed the Israel Festival Jerusalem’s management that he was canceling his performance at this year’s festival for “political reasons.” Rodrigues was scheduled to perform “By Heart” on June 4 and 5.

“The performance by Tiago Rodrigues is about memory as a tool to combat the restriction of freedom of expression,” said Festival CEO Eyal Sher, who expressed disappointment at the artist’s unilateral political stance on the complex conflict between Palestinians and Israelis. “The Israel Festival has a deep belief in the power of art to express new points of reference, to open up people to the recognition of the ‘other,’ and to promote understanding and tolerance.”

Design Week in Jerusalem Israel sign posted

So far no such notices from the Jerusalem Design Week arts festival, set for June 7-14.

It was reported that 90,000 Muslims came to pray in Jerusalem on the first Friday of Ramadan.

Then on Saturday night, for Tikun Leil Shavuot, a night of Jewish study, tens of thousands of religious and secular Jews filled the Jerusalem streets, many going from one lecture to another. As the sun rose on Sunday morning, the crowds worked their way to the Kotel, the Western Wall, for holiday morning prayers.

Thousands of Christian pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost.

So much happening in Jerusalem in one week, it is hard to keep up.

Free from Gaza protest near Prime Minister's house

Avera Mengistu is still held in Gaza. His family vigil near the Prime Minister’s residence was largely ignored this week as the situation at the Gaza border stole the headlines.

Paris Square in Jerusalem Israel

Vietnamese Governor of Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Thien Nhan, is due to arrive in Jerusalem, Israel, this week.

Another day, another night, time for strings of lights and a new flag.

5 thoughts on “Jerusalem One Week with Many Flags

  • May 24, 2018 at 2:49 pm
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    Thanks so much for showing us another dimension of Israel, Sharon…all we get is the news of Gaza…I’m very appreciative to receive your pictures each week…shalom hannah

    Reply
    • May 24, 2018 at 7:44 pm
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      Thank you for writing. Yes, there is so much more than Gaza, I feel it is important to share, so glad it is appreciated. Went on a special trip today. Something different next week.

      Reply
  • Pingback: Jerusalem – eine Woche mit vielen Flaggen | abseits vom mainstream - heplev

  • May 27, 2018 at 12:42 am
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    You go, girl. Keep showing the world the TRUTH! Great stuff – you are everywhere all the time!
    Hatzlacha and bracha.

    Reply
    • May 28, 2018 at 5:43 pm
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      THANK YOU. You bet everywhere, and next blog post is on the Shomron. Not enough people go there to see what is really happening, myself included, only fourth day trip.. lots to share.

      Reply

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