Israel has succeeded Norway as the new chair of the International Task Force on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research (ITF) in a recent handover ceremony at the Norwegian Embassy in Berlin.

The international body, comprised of 27 member states, includes Europe, the United States, Canada, Argentina and Israel. The ITF also recently appointed a committee to combat anti-Semitism.

Officially chairing sessions for the year will be former Knesset Speaker Dan Tichon, who has taken over from his Norwegian predecessor, Ambassador Tom Vraalsen. The Israeli delegation includes members from the Foreign Ministry and the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial museum.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the ITF, whose secretariat is located in Berlin. During Israel's tenure, four conferences will be held to launch new initiatives such as distance learning, working with decision-makers and expansion of the membership.

The group also plans to grant scholarships in the field of Holocaust research for the first time since its establishment.