Yesterday, we had our annual embassy outing, visited the Osem factory in Sderot & wrapped up the day in Ashdod. Along the way, we had great conversations, unexpected encounters & plenty of new insights. I am truly grateful to the entire team for their resilience, dedication & hard work throughout the year. Through every challenge, the embassy remained open & we delivered. 🙏🏽

Today, I gave opening remarks at the presentation of "Ausnahmezustand", a volume w/ testimonies of Jewish students at German, Austrian & Swiss universities after 7 October 2023 at Bar-Ilan University. An important and sobering book & a wakeup call. Thanks to Rector @cohen_cyrille for joining the event.

Back at the International Gaza Support Center IGSC in Kiryat Gat to exchange with our Swiss senior civilian representative and international stakeholders there about the situation in Gaza and the progress and the challenges in the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan.

Back in Kiryat Yearim to inaugurate the new Dynamics Room donated by the Swiss Friends of the Youth Village w/ the tireless Victor Weiss & to symbolically hand over the donation from the sale of our residence honey. Originally founded in 1951 for children who had escaped the Holocaust, the Swiss Village is today a place for socially disadvantaged & traumatized youth from all regions & groups in Israel.

This morning, I visited Jisr az-Zarqa, an Arab town of 16,000 on the Mediterranean coast & met with Mayor Murad Ammash. We discussed local governance, housing, education, economic development & political participation. We met kids at football practice & in junior high school taking extra English classes.

Today, I visited the Arab town of Mashhad in northern Israel & was hosted by the head of the Local Council, Tawfiq Suleiman. Impressed by the quality of education & the dedication of the students. We discussed scholarships, sports, coexistence & political participation. Thanks for the hospitality!

Overdue thanks to @yankihebrew for an illuminating conversation on Israel's upcoming elections and for a deep dive into Haredi politics and parties: What is changing, what isn't, and who are the leaders and voters driving it. @ZiratNews

Three years ago today, on October 7, Hamas carried out its brutal terrorist attacks on Israel. We remember and mourn those murdered, among them Swiss citizens. We stand with all the victims and with all still hurting and rebuilding their lives and a future of peace and security. 🕊️

Switzerland's record-hot summer exposed hidden parts of a Roman city. Drone images of parched fields around Avenches (ancient Aventicum) show the outlines of thermal baths, houses, roads & a possible temple: the richest finds there in two generations, says Vaud's archaeologist.

In our very stable 7-member @SwissGov, the resignation of a Federal Councilor is always big news. Today, our current President & Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education & Research @ParmelinG announced his resignation. His successor will be elected by the United Federal Assembly (a joint session of both chambers of Parliament) in early December.

The official travel advice for Israel has been updated. As with most countries in the region, there are no longer any general travel restrictions. However, regional risks & the volatile situation should be taken into account. Travel to certain border areas is advised against. tinyurl.com/mscd6vzu

Statement by @SwissMFA on the developments of the last few days:

We are closely monitoring the situation with the @flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv this morning. We are in touch with the MFA here & have currently no information that any Swiss citizens were on board. Relieved that the brave passengers averted a catastrophe. @SwissMFAmena

Chag Sameach! Wishing you a beautiful Sukkot. May this season of joy remind us of life's true blessings. Painting by Isidor Kaufmann (1853-1921)

This week, I had the pleasure to be at the @IsraelAcademy for the 2026 Martin Buber Lecture by Marcin Wodziński, a friend, outstanding scholar & professor of Jewish Studies at the University of Wrocław, on Hasidism. Thanks to the Academy's President, David Harel, for the invite.

As part of my engagement with ministries, I met this week with the Ministry of Transportation DG @Israel_MOT and the CEO of the Airports Authority to discuss major land, sea and air traffic infrastructure projects and learn more about their crisis management. @passportnewsil

To all those who observe Yom Kippur: May you be inscribed and sealed in the book of life, blessing, peace, and good livelihood. Picture: "Jews Praying in the Synagogue on Yom Kippur" by Maurycy Gottlieb, 1878