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Amid a sharp political dispute with the Palestinians, Israel unveiled its pavilion at the World Expo 2025, held this year in Osaka-Kansai. Palestinians are outraged that Israel brought two rare archaeological artifacts to the exhibition: an ancient stone from the Hasmonean period and a 1,700-year-old menorah.
The Palestinian Authority’s ambassador to Japan, Walid Siam, claimed Israel should not have removed the stone from Jerusalem, accusing it of violating an international convention against the removal of archaeological artifacts from "occupied territories."
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Israeli Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen at the Israel Pavilion
(Photo: Israel Pavilion in Osaka)
The ambassador cited media reports that Israel initially planned to send a stone from the Western Wall to the expo. However, due to opposition from the site's rabbinic authority, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, the Western Wall stone remained in Jerusalem. Instead, a stone from the Hasmonean period, held by the Israel Antiquities Authority, was sent.
The opening of the Israeli pavilion was marked by a festive ceremony, led by Israeli Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen and Israel's expo commissioner, Yahel Vilan. During the event, Ambassador Cohen affixed a mezuzah to the entrance of the pavilion, alongside Rabbi Shmuel Wieschitzky, the rabbi of the Jewish community in Kobe, symbolizing the pavilion’s connection to Jewish heritage.
"We wish for the swift return of all 59 hostages and hope to host them here at the pavilion in Osaka," Ambassador Cohen said during the ceremony. Among the many attendees were members of parliament, the deputy governor of Osaka Prefecture, Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama and various government representatives. Foreign diplomats, business leaders and friends of Israel in Japan were also present.
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Israel strongly rejected the Palestinian criticism. The design of the Israeli pavilion blends the ancient with the futuristic: at its center stands a carved building stone from the Hasmonean period and an ancient menorah from Jerusalem with an engraving of the seven-branched menorah. Alongside these historical artifacts, the pavilion features inventions and innovations that Israel has contributed to the world.
In his speech, Ambassador Cohen further remarked, "Those who doubt our natural and historical right to our homeland and to Jerusalem should read the greatest bestseller in history and the most important book ever written—the Bible. There, they will find all the evidence of our deep and unshakable connection to our homeland and to Jerusalem."
Meanwhile, the Palestinian ambassador accused Israel of delaying the transport of materials for their exhibit, resulting in an empty pavilion. However, an investigation found no evidence to support the claim, and Israel’s ambassador firmly rejected the allegation.
Expo 2025 is expected to draw more than 27 million visitors, with at least one million anticipated to visit the Israeli pavilion during its six-month run. Throughout the event, Israel’s pavilion and its embassy in Japan will host a wide range of programs in fields such as healthcare, innovation, humanitarian aid, tourism and culture, underscoring Israel’s global contributions and its growing ties with Japan.