Knesset member becomes Israel's top female Israeli-Arab diplomat

A member of the left-wing Meretz Party in the Knesset became Israel’s highest ranking female Arab diplomat when she was appointed the nation’s counsel to Shanghai by Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on Tuesday.

Lapid praised Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi as “having rich managerial experience and impressive and varied economic and public experience.”

“I wish her luck and am certain she will lead the Israeli consulate in Shanghai to new and important achievements,” Lapid said in a statement. “There is no dispute about China’s importance and that of Shanghai, in particular, to the global economy. Our economic relations with China are an important engine of growth for Israel’s economy and we should continue promoting them.”

Zoabi welcomed her new role, saying: “It is a great privilege to be the first Arab woman to hold such a high diplomatic position.”

“I am pleased to be able to contribute to the important task of strengthening economic, trade and cultural cooperation with one of Israel's important economic partners in the world from the Israeli Consulate General in Shanghai, an important nerve center of the world economy,” she added.

Zoabi’s seat in the Israeli Knesset will be filled by Kati Piasecki, a member of the Bat Yam City Council.