Samoa Observer’s Chief Reporter, Joyetter Luamanu, is in Israel this week.

She is among 13 journalists who are part of a Pacific Tour to Tel Aviv, Israel, at the invitation of the Israeli government.

Israel’s Ambassador to Samoa, Dr. Itzhak Gerberg, had invited the Editor of the Samoa Observer, Mata’afa Keni Lesa, who could not attend due to other commitments. 

Yaron Sultan Dadon who is the Pacific Islands Advisor for the tour told the Samoa Observer the importance of the tour. 

“This tour is vital, given the strong ties between the Pacific and the State of Israel,” he said. 

“It’s important to keep the connection and relationships not only at the Government level but also we should sure our stories from both sides get to the people in a manner indicting the strong and healthy relationship; the Pacific and Israel have.”

The Pacific Islands representatives include Fiji, Samoa, Niue, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu. Prime Minister’s Press Secretary, Nanai Tuiletufuga Laveitiga, is also invited.

The programme includes a visit to the General Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yuval Rotem and Gilad Cohan, Deputy Director General for Asia and the Pacific Region. The journalists will then meet with Ariel Shafransky, Center for Policy Research – The Geopolitical Situation in Syria and the Israel International Cooperation Center - Mashav. 

The journalists will also visit the Israeli Parliament – The Knesset and the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Yad Vashem. 

They will visit the Old City in Jerusalem; Mount Herz'l, Mount Bental, Yardenit  and Tiberia, the Shuk Hacarmel (The Carmel Market), the Beit Hatfutsot, Masada, the dead sea and many other places.