Representing The Jewish State – Lessons From An Arab Israeli Diplomat, With An Update On Anti Semitism In Europe

Please join us for a conversation with Deputy Ambassador George Deek as he shares his experiences working in Norway, how Israel is seen in Europe, and the rise in Anti-Semitism. Following the community talk, there will be a private meeting with students and young adults at 9pm. Sponsored by StandWithUs Northwest, the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Hillel UW, and Jconnect Seattle. DEPUTY AMBASSADOR GEORGE DEEK George Deek served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Israel in Norway from July 2012 until just a few months ago. He is an Arab-Christian Israeli who hails from the city of Jaffa, where his family has lived for over 400 years. Deputy Ambassador Deek also served as Chargé d'Affaires at the Israeli Embassy in Norway between February and September 2014. Previously, he served as Israel's Deputy Chief of Mission in Nigeria (2009-2012). Deputy Ambassador Deek graduated with two degrees, LL.B. in Law and B.A. in Government, at the Interdisciplinary Center of Herzliya (IDC). After having worked as a lawyer in a private firm in Tel-Aviv, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2008. From a young age, Deputy Ambassador Deek was involved in the promotion of mutual understanding and co-existence between Jews and Arabs in Israel. He was the co-editor of the first local newspaper of Jaffa “Yaffo Sheli/ Yafati” (“My Jaffa” in Hebrew and Arabic); He has lead various Arab-Jewish delegations and programs to the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom; he was the manager of the "Arab-Jewish" debate forum of Israel's leading news website Ynet, and he lead the youth movement of the Arab-Christian community in Israel while also managing the musical school of the community, where over 120 children and youth of the ages 7-25 years received education and music lessons for free.