CHRISTCHURCH: Ambassador of Israel: October 15

UN Resolution 2334 and New Zealand

At the end of 2016, NZ used its position on the UN Security Council to co-sponsor UN Resolution 2334.  This resolution, among other things,  undermined Israel’s historical claims to Jerusalem as its historical and cultural capital.  In protest, Israel withdrew its ambassador from New Zealand.

Its reported that all but two (Bill English and Murray McCully) of the government caucus at the time, objected to New Zealand’s actions.  Gerry Brownlee has led the way for relations with Israel to be restored.  This will be the first time the Ambassador will be publicly speaking in Christchurch since relations were restored.

You are invited to a briefing on this controversy, and Israel’s views on how relations between our two countries can progress from here.

There will be an extensive Q&A time.

Admission is free but please bring a plate of finger food.  A collection will be taken to help defray expenses.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Prior to his appointment as the Ambassador of Israel to New Zealand, Dr. Gerberg was Director of Southern Africa Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem. He also served as Ambassador to
Georgia (2007-2012) as well as Ambassador of Israel to Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana and Malawi (2002-2003).

Ambassador Dr. Gerberg is married to Shifra Gerberg
and they have three children.

Diplomatic Positions:

2007-2012: Ambassador to Georgia

2002-2003: Ambassador to Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana and Malawi

1999-2002: Ambassador to Zimbabwe

1996-1997: Consul General, Israeli Consulate General in Shanghai (China)

1992-1996: Consul General, Israeli Consulate General in Bombay (India)

1985-1989: Second Secretary, Israeli Embassy in Manila (Philippines)

Academic Positions:

2014 – 2015 – Lecturer, University of Haifa

2005-2007 – Lecturer, Tel-Aviv University

Education:

 2002 -2009: Ph.D. in International Politics from University of South –  Africa (UNISA)

 1998-1999: M.A. in Political Science from Haifa University

 1998-1999: Israeli National Defense College – National Security

 1990-1991: Davis Institute- Direction in New World Order

 1990-1991: Truman Institute – Pre-Negotiation in Diplomacy

 1983-1984: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Foreign Affairs Cadet’s Course

 1982-1986: M.A. in Mass Communications from the Hebrew University          

 1979-1980: Teaching Diploma in Social Science from University of Tel-Aviv

1976-1980: B.A. in Political Science from University of Tel-Aviv