$$News and Reports$$

Jan. 10, 2021

​​UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS LOGO ENGLISH GREEK_600x174.jpg
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and the University of Cyprus​ will offer a joint online course in Greek and Hebrew next semester. The course will focus on the history of diplomatic relations between Israel, Cyprus, and Greece from the late 1940s to the present. It is the first course of its kind in Israeli academia. B'nai B'rith International is sponsoring the course as part of its efforts to connect public officials, academics and others from Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and the Greek expatriate community in the United States.
BNAI BRITH INTERNATIONAL LOGO (002)_500x171.jpg
The goal will be to delve into the mutual past, understand the countries' foreign policies and acquire the necessary skills to advance Israeli-Cypriot relations through studying primary sources (official documents, diplomatic reports, and Israeli, Greek, and Cypriot newspaper articles).

The course next semester will be a pilot program, and if successful, then future collaborations will be planned. The course will be led by Dr. Gabriel Haritos, who speaks Greek and Hebrew fluently. Haritos is a post-doctoral researcher at the Azrieli Center for Israel Studies at the Ben-Gurion Research Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism on BGU's Sde Boker campus.

The University of Cyprus is the only public university on the island.

"Over the last decade, the State of Israel, Greece, and the Republic of Cyprus have created collaborations in a variety of areas. An academic course that reflects the significance and potential of these collaborations fits neatly into B'nai B'rith's policy to connect communities," says Alan Schneider, Director of the B’nai B’rith World Center in Jerusalem. "B'nai B'rith's participation in this initiative came about through The Israel-Hellenic Forum we founded. The founding conference was held in Jerusalem a year ago with the participation of leading public officials from the three countries."

Prof. Paula Kabalo, director of the Ben-Gurion Research Institute, "It is time for Cyprus to fully embody what it really means to us – the good neighbor to the west. The one we could always count on. The one who shares a climate, culture, and historical experiences. The good neighbor that you do not just knock on the door to ask for a glass of milk but one with which you share your life. We hope that this unique course will lead to additional varied collaborations."

Dr. Gabriel Haritos, "Despite the close geographic proximity and the coexistence between Jews and Greeks for hundreds of years, this is perhaps the first time that the Israeli and Cypriot academics are collaborating to illuminate the recent history of diplomatic relations between Israel, Cyprus and Greece. There is no doubt that we will go far thanks to this pioneering spirit."

The spring semester begins at Ben-Gurion University on February 28, 2021. The spring semester begins at the University of Cyprus on January 18, 2021.

Media Coverage:

JPost
​​