On March 31, a meeting in the framework of Ukrainian-Israeli culture festival was held at the "Voldenberg" Community Center of Culture and Sport in city of Ashkelon.

The symbolic meeting was attended by the representatives of the city authorities of Ashkelon, Ukrainians and Ukrainian repatriates, as well as ordinary citizens of the seaside town. Israelis and Ukrainians were able to communicate in an informal setting, to exchange "live" information from the first hand about the situation in Ukraine, and Israel.

After the official part of the event, a festival concert was held with the participation of musical groups of Ukraine and Israel. A day earlier, in the complex for the people of the "golden age" of "Neve Galim " in Ashkelon another concert was held. Along with the professional artists, the soloists of choir residents of the hostel "Simcha" ("Joy") participated in the concert.

Such public diplomacy is the best way to strengthen the bilateral relations between our countries. It is much easier to bring the truth about the situation in Ukraine, through a simple human interaction than through diplomatic channels: in a personal conversation we can say much more than it is allowed by the diplomatic protocol . With the introduction of a visa-free regime between Ukraine and Israel, our people much more frequent visit Israel: the increase in air routes between Lviv and Tel Aviv is evidenced. And that's great! And soon, I hope, after the entry into a force of the agreement on free trade zone and the allocation of jobs for Ukrainians, Israelis can learn a lot more valid information about the situation in Ukraine