Israel and Japan have rapidly become key allies in less than a year through a number of bilateral moves, and in a further sign of that growing alliance President Reuven Rivlin on Tuesday morning greeted around 70 Japanese pilgrims from the Zionist Christian organization Makuya as they visited Israel.
The Makuya delegation, led by Minowa Takahisa, visited the Holy Land as the organization routinely does in a show of support for the Jewish state.
Courtesy: Presidential Residence
The group greeted Rivlin by waving Israeli and Japanese flags and singing "Havenu Shalom Aleichem" in Hebrew, which Rivlin promptly joined in singing and began dancing with the pilgrims.
Takahisa explained to Rivlin that this visit marks the 64th Makuya delegation to Israel, and that the group "brought with them the hope of thousands of Mukaya faithful in Japan for brotherhood between nations."
Courtesy: Presidential Residence
"The history of Mukaya and of the State of Israel goes back as far as the establishment of the state," responded Rivlin. "I welcome and bless you for your joyfulness and unity that you bring with you each year when you come to Israel, and for your great support for our country."
The president concluded "the State of Israel is strong and well-established, even as it must deal with many challenges, and your support is important to us."
GPO