Israel’s Ministry for Public Diplomacy and the Diaspora has started an initiative to teach Israelis how to present Israel positively while abroad.
The initiative will include pamphlets that will be given to Israeli passengers leaving Ben Gurion International Airport. There is also a Web site and plans for training workshops across the country.
The trainees will include ordinary citizens, as well as businessmen, celebrities, athletes, youth groups participants and politicians, among others.
A recent poll found that 91 percent of the 495 Jewish Israelis surveyed believed that Israel has a bad or very bad image abroad. Some 85 percent said they would want to help represent Israel abroad. — jta