ISRAEL'S DIRECTOR OF BALKAN STATES
MAYIM MAGAZINE
16
“If you are an Israeli diplomat you are trying to get close to what is relevant for the locals, and combine it with what is successful in Israel. The Start-Up Nation; high-tech; the new innovations period of Israel in the last 10 years, is blooming. It is one of the tools we are using everywhere. We are getting special stories, both about those who are creating the ideas and the young entrepreneurs, and also about the ecosystem around it. Israel has funded (high-tech) incubators, to make sure that good ideas will not be dropped aside. If you really have a genuine idea, you will get money and become a successful company.”
Dan served five years in Denmark as part of Israel’s diplomatic mission abroad. At the end of his time there the President of the International Club in Copenhagen, famous Danish photographer Hessed Ferrold, captured Dan on camera doing gymnastic jumps at his favorite spots in the city.
One of the highlights Dan remembers from his tour of duty in Copenhagen was meeting the Queen of Denmark. Every January, the head of the Israeli diplomatic mission would be invited to meet the Queen. But, often, Israel would host a big event at home, also at the beginning of the year, which included Israeli ambassadors returning from abroad. This meant that the Israeli Vice Ambassador (or Deputy) would be sent to the ceremony in his place. So, three times Dan had the opportunity to greet the Danish Queen.
He reflects on his time in Denmark: “Denmark is a very nice place to serve. It is a great place for the family. It is very convenient. I rode my bicycle to the parliament to meetings and some of the other ministers did the same. Nevertheless, as an Israeli diplomat it is not easy. Denmark has become more critical towards Israel and is facing problems with growing unrest among Muslim communities.”