The Israeli Ambassador to Portugal, Oren Rozenblat, and the Mayor of Oporto, Dr. Pedro Duarte. Credit: Israel em Portugal
The Israeli Ambassador to Portugal, Oren Rozenblat, held institutional meetings with the Mayor of Oporto, Dr. Pedro Duarte, and with the Mayor of Vila Nova de Gaia, Dr. Luís Filipe Menezes, as part of his official visit to northern Portugal.
During the meeting in Oporto, the ambassador shared a personal note that gave special meaning to the occasion: he revealed that his grandmother’s surname was “Rapaport,” a Sephardic name historically linked to the city — meaning “doctor of Oporto.”
Throughout the meeting, Oren Rozenblat praised the Jewish Community of Oporto, highlighting the dynamism of its many activities and emphasizing the importance of combating antisemitism. The discussion also addressed prospects for strengthening economic cooperation between Israel and Portugal, as well as the possibility of collaboration with Oporto in responding to emergency situations, thereby reinforcing institutional and strategic ties between the two sides.
The Israeli Ambassador to Portugal, Oren Rozenblat, and the Mayor of Vila Nova de Gaia, Dr. Luís Filipe Menezes. Credit: Luís Filipe Menezes - redes
In Vila Nova de Gaia, the ambassador met with Luís Filipe Menezes. During their meeting, they discussed investment by Israeli entrepreneurs in the city, as well as issues related to antisemitism. According to Menezes, Vila Nova de Gaia positions itself as a center of dialogue with the world, where all people are respected and heard.
