Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen has appointed two special envoys tasked with combating antisemitism and fostering innovation. 

Jerusalem deputy mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum was appointed as innovation envoy and human-rights lawyer Michal Cotler-Wunsh was appointed as envoy to combating antisemitism.

Hassan-Nahoum has championed Israeli innovation in global forums, founded the UAE-Israel Business Council in June 2020 and co-founded the Gulf Israel Women's Forum which promotes economic relations between Israel and the Gulf states.  

Hassan-Nahoum was appointed deputy mayor in 2018 and oversees foreign relations, economic development and tourism for the city. She also served on the Jerusalem City Council, where she oversaw transportation and conservation of heritage sites.

Fleur Hassan-Nahoum (2)

Fleur Hassan-Nahoum (Photo: Handout)

Cotler-Wunsh, a former MK for the Blue and White alliance, headed efforts to develop and strengthen connections between Israel and the Diaspora, raising awareness and providing exposure to both challenges and opportunities for new immigrants to Israel.

She also co-founded the Inter Parliamentary Bi-Partisan Task Force to Combat Online Antisemitism with lawmakers from Canada, Australia, the US and the UK.

The pair will work with Israeli embassies around the world to advance the interests of the Jewish state and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said: “Today, we introduce two distinguished diplomats who will bolster Israeli diplomacy, possessing proven experience and exceptional capabilities.

“They will engage with diverse audiences and represent the State of Israel on the global stage.

"Their efforts will be closely coordinated and cooperative with the MFA headquarters and our diplomatic missions abroad. They will significantly amplify our presence on the world stage.

"The domains of combating antisemitism, social entrepreneurship, and innovation lie at the heart of the MFAs' activities.”

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Eli Cohen with Michal Cotler-Wunsh (Photo: Handout)

Speaking of her delight at the appointment, Hassan-Nahoum said: “In bringing high-level delegations to Jerusalem to invest in our ecosystem and travelling around the world representing our great nation, there is no better message than the robust economy Israel has built despite the odds, leveraging its spirit of innovation and solving humanities problems. 

“I am incredibly honoured to receive this appointment and look forward to amplifying this message on a global scale, together with the team of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in full collaboration with the incredible Israeli innovation ecosystem." 

Cotler-Wunsh added of her antisemitism envoy role: “Antisemitism is a toxic hate that transcends politics, religion, time, and geography, poisoning the places and spaces in which it takes hold. 

“In this troubling time of rising and mainstreaming antisemitism, politicisation is one of the central factors that enables it to fester, mutate, and permeate.”

The two women join Rabbi Leo Dee, who was recently appointed special envoy for social initiatives.