Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 2-5 April, the Embassy of Uzbekistan, with the assistance of the city authorities in the Israeli cities of Netanya, Or Yehuda, Haifa and Beersheba, organized festive events dedicated to Navruz, Dunyo news agency reported.

They were attended by compatriots engaged in temporary labor activities in Israel, representatives of the Israeli city authorities, public and creative organizations, as well as immigrants from Uzbekistan.

A festive dastarkhan was served for the guests with the spring delicacy of Navruz - sumalak and traditional Uzbek pilaf. A musical program was organized by artists of Khorezm region.

As Lazar Kaplun, a member of the Haifa City Council, noted, the celebration of Navruz in Haifa once again demonstrated the importance of tolerance and maintaining ties between Israeli citizens and the states of origin of various Jewish communities, in particular with Uzbekistan. “The holiday was held in a friendly and warm atmosphere. This event has become an important event of public diplomacy in the development of further friendly relations between Haifa and Uzbekistan for the benefit of cooperation between the two peoples,” the deputy noted.

Janna Cohen, Deputy Mayor of the city of Or Yehuda, stressed in her address that the celebration of Navruz in Israel has already become a good tradition: “This holiday for people from Uzbekistan is associated with the warmest memories. Together with the Embassy of Uzbekistan, we have done everything in our power to ensure that guests enjoy the cultural program and refreshments. The holiday of Navruz is associated with new hopes and expectations, today we are doing everything possible to maintain ties and strengthen friendships between our people. I am sure that the more we learn about the culture, customs and traditions of other nations, the more we respect and understand other ethnic groups. All these steps contribute to tolerance, harmony, friendly relations between peoples.”

In a conversation with fellow citizens, Ambassador Feruza Makhmudova spoke about holding a nationwide referendum to approve a new draft of the Constitution of Uzbekistan, in particular, about early voting sites in Israeli cities organized by the diplomatic mission. Particular attention was paid to the substantive aspects of the new edition of the Constitution of the country, in particular in the areas of foreign policy, education, the rights of youth and children, gender policy, and interaction with compatriots. Information materials on the upcoming referendum have been distributed among the citizens of Uzbekistan.