Israel’s first interfaith delegation to UAE attends tolerance event at Expo

By Samantha Allen

Published: November 16, 2021 | 1:03 PM GMT

Israel’s first interfaith delegation to UAE attends tolerance event at Expo

DUBAI, 16th November, 2021 – The first official interfaith delegation from Israel to the UAE attended an event at the Expo 2020 Dubai on Monday, marking the start of Tolerance Week.

“They [the delegation] thanked the UAE for its acceptance and tolerance,” according to a press release issued by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bureau for World Jewish Affairs and World Religions that organised the event titled “The Role of Religious Leaders in Tolerance Education.

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Leaders representing five major religions – Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze and Bahai – shared their ideas on how to promote peace, coexistence and interreligious dialogue at the event held at Israel Pavilion.

They discussed various aspects of tolerance education and dialogue between peoples and religions with their Emirati counterparts, as well as tools to create bridges and fight extremism and prejudice.

Shuli Davidovich, Head of Bureau for World Jewish Affairs and World Religions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel; Elazar Cohen, Commissioner General at the Israeli Pavilion; led the event.

Five religious leaders such as David Rutstein, Secretary general of the Bahai international community; Archbishop Amer-Giuseppe Matta of Haifa and Galilee; Sheikh Moafaq Tarif, spiritual leader of the Druze community, Chairman of the Supreme Druze religious council and Chairman of the Druze High appeal religious court; Imam Jamal Ubra, Executive of the Mosques of the Negev and Jerusalem area and Imam of the Al-Nur Mosque of Rahat; and Rabbi Dr.

Benni Lau actively participated in the discussions.

Israel and the UAE officially established diplomatic relations over a year ago by signing the Abraham Accords in September 2020.

According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are 3,000 Jews living in the UAE.

“There is a growing interest for Hebrew language and various Ulpanim (Hebrew study centres) have opened up in the UAE,” it added in the press release.

WAM/ Ibrahim Shukralla

About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.