BANGKOK, June 7 (TNA) – Israeli Ambassador to Thailand commemorates the 76th National Day by remembering the victims of the Hamas attacks and calling for the immediate release of hostages without conditions.
Israeli Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Ms. Orna Sagiv, delivered a speech at the 76th Israeli National Day celebration, stating that this year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Thailand. This serves as a testament to the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two countries, based on mutual respect, shared values, and a shared commitment to peace and progress.
During the event, the Israeli Ambassador also commemorated the victims of the Hamas terrorist attacks that struck Israel on October 7, 2023, killing over 1,200 people in a single day, including 41 Thai workers.
Despite eight months passing, 125 innocent people, including women and children, remain hostages of Hamas, among them six Thai nationals. The Ambassador called on Hamas to release all hostages immediately and unconditionally.
The Israeli Ambassador also took the opportunity to commend Thai workers for their contributions to Israel’s agricultural industry and economy. She expressed hope that Thailand and Israel would continue to strengthen their ties in areas such as innovation, cultural exchange, in addition to cooperation in agriculture, technology, and education, to overcome various challenges and move towards a world of peace, security, and shared prosperity.
To commemorate the victims, the Israeli Embassy in Thailand unveiled an artwork created by Israeli and Thai artists, Sammy Nidam and Seksan Tummai, entitled “Nirvana Gate.”
Seksan Tummai, the Thai artist revealed that his design was inspired by the Northern and Northeastern Thai “tung” spider web decorations and the beliefs surrounding life after death. The artwork features 41 tung-shaped objects to symbolize the number of Thai fatalities. These were placed within a golden frame, representing the gate to Nirvana, and arranged in a hanging tung style.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, praised the strong relationship between the two countries and stated that he and the Israeli Ambassador have been working closely together since the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed his sincere hope that the relationship between Thailand and Israel would continue to grow stronger for the benefit of both countries and their people. -819 (TNA)