Last week could have proven very difficult for Israel. Our enemies and their provocateur partners were trying once again to damage our image and goad Israel into a confrontation.
Thankfully, diligent behind-the-scenes work with our partners in Europe and beyond saw to it that a collision was averted.
This is no simple task; individuals and small organizations are far more nimble than vast government infrastructures, and are extremely difficult to outmaneuver.
Nevertheless, what was achieved last week was not the result of last-minute diplomacy; but rather evidence of a shift in diplomacy which began at the inception of this government.
Friendships should be nurtured, but for too many years, Israel's foreign policy was heavily focused on Ramallah. Since the formation of this government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the leadership of Avigdor Lieberman has reset Israel's international diplomacy.
Too many parts of the world have been neglected since the beginning of the ‘Oslo Process.' It might be astonishing to learn that until Lieberman's visit to Brazil only weeks after attaining his position, his was the first visit by a senior Israeli official to the largest nation in Latin America since 1993. Simply put, we are playing catch up in a region neglected by past Israeli governments, while Iran and the Arab world made major inroads.
This example could be used as a paradigm for many other parts of the world. However, this is all changing.
Israel now has more embassies and consulates (many reopened after being closed under previous administrations) than ever.
In addition to strengthening diplomatic ties with multiple nations, economic relations have also been solidified: trade volume has grown, and many agreements of economic cooperation have been signed in the fields of taxation, investments protection, Free Trade Zones and the exchange of economic delegations.
