Miri Regev wants to take Israel’s 70th celebrations to the Big Apple
Culture minister dreams of a video screening at Times Square, a glitzy gala in Manhattan, and, critics say, a possible price tag of up to $5 million
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Culture Minister Miri Regev, the top Israeli official overseeing the state’s official 70th independence day celebrations, is said to be planning some of the year’s biggest events far beyond Israel’s shores.
According to Hadashot television news, Regev is considering an international celebration of Israel’s Independence Day to take place in New York under the auspices of the Israeli government.
The events marking the day may include the screening of a short film about Israel on the jumbo television screens at Times Square scheduled to coincide with the Big Apple’s annual Celebrate Israel Parade.
The Culture Ministry is also considering a glittering gala event at a luxury hotel in Manhattan that would host diplomats and delegations from around the world. The hotel under consideration has already been examined by security officials, Hadashot reported.
The plan is facing blowback from other branches of government. According to Foreign Ministry officials, it would cost between three and five million dollars. “At a time when the [foreign] ministry is fighting for its budgets, Regev is throwing away money on a gala evening whose diplomatic benefit is unclear.
Despite the criticism, officially the Foreign Ministry backs the venture, with an official describing it as “an important national project.”
A source in the Culture Ministry confirmed that “we are considering an international event that would be an opportunity to salute and identify with Israel on its 70th independence day.” The source said the plans would not go ahead if their cost reached as high as the figure cited by the Foreign Ministry official.
The Times of Israel Community.