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Israeli ambassador celebrates country's independence in Ja

Published:Wednesday | April 15, 2015 | 12:00 AMJody-Anne Lawrence
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Jermaine Barnaby
We captured a beautiful photograph of Itai Li-on and Enola Williams.
Jermaine Barnaby
Jodi-Kaye Ennis (left) and husband, Richard, strike a loving pose at the Israeli Independence reception.
Jermaine Barnaby
Israeli Ambassador Bahij Mansour (left) and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade A.J. Nicholson (right) share a toast while Commissioner of Police Carl Williams looks on with a glass of wine.
Jermaine Barnaby
Chinese ambassador to Jamaica, Dong Xiaojun, and Minister of Justice Mark Golding exchange greetings.
Jermaine Barnaby
Benjamin Hodara (left) and Brooke Benjamin smile for our camera.
Jermaine Barnaby
Educator Belinda Orrett is giving a lesson in style at the Independence Day of Israel reception at The Jamaica Pegasus on Tuesday.
Jermaine Barnaby
Politician Robert Montague and Douglas Reid catch up at Israel’s Independence Day celebrations.
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Israeli non-resident ambassador to Jamaica, Bahij Monsour, and his wife, Nora, jetted into the island to celebrate his country's independence in style.

Though he has five other countries under his portfolio - Haiti, Grenada, Dominica, Antigua and the Dominican Republic where he resides, Ambassador Mansour is no stranger to Jamaica. He has made several trips to the island during his tenure and has a place in his heart for the culture, and most of all, the people.

Though the actual independence day is not until May 14, the Talk of the Town at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel was filled with well-wishers, fellow diplomats and Jamaican government officials. Major Carl Estick, cantor of the Jewish community, sang both national anthems beautifully to start the official proceedings.

Ambassador Mansour spoke briefly on some of the challenges his country faces in the Middle East, but thanked Jamaica and the Jewish community in Jamaica for their continued support. This, he noted, has been so even before their independence. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade A.J. Nicholson shared the same sentiment.

They ended with a toast and guests not only got to experience Israeli cuisine to end the night, but the culinary skills of Ambassador Mansour, who assisted in the preparation of a few of the dishes which included hummus and falafel.