After 350 Israeli diamond companies and 300 foreign buyers confirmed their participation in the second US and International Diamond Week that opens in less than a month, another 50 Indian diamond buyers who have requested entry visas in order to take part in the event need assistance due to work stoppages by staff at Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
As a result, IDE President Yair Sahar yesterday (Monday) sent an urgent message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asking for his help in getting the visas so that the Indian buyers can enter Israel.
“The damage to Israel’s economy, if the event is canceled, is likely to amount to $2 billion. We need your speedy help in order to ensure the event takes place and to avoid financial damage,” Sahar wrote in a letter that was shown on Channel 10’s news program.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry workers, who declared a work dispute several months ago, are not issuing entry visas to Israel. However, a special committee of the ministry is dealing with urgent and important cases.
Although a response has not yet been received from the Prime Minister’s Office regarding Sahar’s request, it appears that due to the fears regarding possible damage to the Israeli economy and also to Israel’s image around the world if the Indian buyers’ requests are denied, high-level officials are working to ensure the visas are issued.
