Event Details

The British Friends of the Hebrew University in partnership with the Institute of Jewish Studies, University College London

Invites you to a special lecture with:

Ambassador Yossi Gal, Vice President for University Advancement and External Relations

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem was founded in 1925 by a group of pioneers. Its first Board of Governors, which convened shortly after the formal opening ceremony, included illustrious names such as James de Rothschild, Harry Sacher, Sir Herbert Samuel, Sir Alfred Mond and many more. A glance at the full list of Board members reveals that about a third were British, highlighting the profound connection between Britain’s Jewish community, the Zionist movement and the establishment of the University. This connection paved the way for the creation of a Jewish state, which emerged 23 years later, in 1948.

Nearly a century later, we stand in awe of the vision of these individuals, witnessing firsthand the realisation of their aspirations and continuing to uphold their legacy.

In 2025, the Hebrew University will celebrate its 100th anniversary. To honour this milestone, our annual webinar will reflect on the University's remarkable journey over the past century—overcoming restrictions and significant challenges posed by wars and an unstable reality in the Middle East, while achieving consistent growth, groundbreaking research and impactful international collaborations. It will also explore the enduring British connection and look ahead to the next 100 years.

Who Will You See There?

Ambassador Yossi Gal is Vice President for University Advancement and External Relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a career diplomat who most recently served Israel as the nation’s Ambassador to France and Monaco (2010-2015) and previously was posted to Washington, D.C. twice, as Director of the Ambassador’s office (1976-1981) and as spokesman of the embassy (1985-1989).

He served as Israel’s Ambassador to the Netherlands from 1995-2001. He has lectured throughout the world and published articles in the French and U.S. media.

Ambassador Gal launched his Foreign Service career in 1975, after graduating from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He fulfilled varied responsibilities at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including as Director of the Information Department and Deputy Director-General for Communications, participating in peace negotiations with Israel’s neighbors and chairing the Israeli delegation to the multilateral peace talks on the environment. He then headed the Press and Communications Department at the Prime-Minister’s office, served as Deputy Director-General for Economic Affairs, and was ultimately promoted to Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Extensively involved in international relations, Ambassador Gal participated in the Madrid Peace Conference, was a member of the peace negotiating team with Jordan and the Palestinians, headed the process of Israel’s adherence to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and led the negotiations on upgrading relations with the European Union.

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