Russia to mark Israel's 60th anniversary?
Israeli minister in charge of Independence Day festivities visits Moscow to discuss possibility of holding week of Israeli cultural events in Russian capital
Russia is looking into the possibility of holding a week-long festival of cultural events in Moscow to mark Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations this year.
Minister Ruhama Avraham-Balila, who recently returned from a visit to Russia, will bring the proposal before the cabinet for discussion on Sunday.
Avraham-Balila has often expressed her belief that the anniversary celebrations "should extend to the Jewish communities abroad, in order to bring Jews closer to the State of Israel."
During her Russia visit, Avraham-Balila, who is in charge of the celebrations, discussed with Moscow's deputy mayor the various ways in which Russia could pay tribute to Israel on its 60th anniversary.
Some of the ideas raised during the meeting included the possibility that Russia would host Israeli theater shows and concerts of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as performances by a number of Israeli artists.
According to the plan, the events will be sponsored mostly by the Russian hosts.
The Israeli minister traveled to Russia on the invitation of a Russia government foundation. During her visit she met with chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Russian parliament's chairman of International Affairs Committee.
Sources in Avraham-Balila's office stressed Friday that the proposal has not been fully drafted yet. "Once it is drafted, the proposal will be brought before the government for approval," an official explained.
