Israel approves appointment of Reuven Azar as new Ambassador to India
Jerusalem (PTI): The Israeli government on Sunday approved the appointment of Reuven Azar as the new Ambassador to India.
Azar, who is in his late 50s, will also serve as the non-resident Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Bhutan, a statement from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
His appointment is one of the 21 new Heads of Missions cleared by the Israeli government to assume service soon.
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, congratulating the new appointees, said they will "represent Israel and its citizens, strengthen its economy and strengthen international support for the State of Israel".
Azar is currently serving as the Ambassador of Israel to Romania. It is not yet known when he will take charge in New Delhi.
Azar will replace Naor Gilon, who has been serving as the Israeli ambassador to India since 2021.
Azar has earlier served as Head of the Israel-US-China internal task force at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, immediately after serving for three years as Deputy National Security Advisor for Foreign Policy at the National Security Council and Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of Israel.
From 2014 to 2018, Azar was Deputy Ambassador at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, DC.
He also served as the Head of Middle East Research in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2014 and as Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Israel in Amman from 2010 to 2012.
Since the completion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cadet training programme in 1994, Azar mostly held Middle East-related positions such as Head of the Iran Sanctions Team and Director of Middle East Economic Research.
He has also covered different aspects of cooperation and negotiations with the Palestinian Authority, as well as research on Palestinian issues during his almost three decades of service.
Azar served four years in Cairo as Head of the Economic and Trade Department at the Embassy of Israel.
In an earlier stint in Washington from 2003 to 2006, he served as Counsellor for Political Affairs.
Azar was born in Argentina in 1967 and made Aliyah (immigration) with his family to Israel at the age of 13.
He served in a paratroopers battalion of the Israeli Defence Forces from 1985 to 1988 and was a reservist combat Sergeant up to 2008.
He has a graduate and post-graduate degree from the Hebrew University in International Relations.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
No demons in pitch, just RCB’s brilliance: Krunal on DC Collapse
New Delhi (PTI): RCB all-rounder Krunal Pandya says the dramatic Indian Premier League contest against Delhi Capitals was decided as much by skill as by staying "one step ahead" in the mental game.
Reflecting on the comprehensive nine-wicket win, which will be remembered for an incredible capitulation of Delhi, Krunal underlined that there no demons in the wicket but just that pacers Bhuvneswar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood were exceptional.
"To get six wickets in the powerplay, you have literally taken the game away from the opponent. The wicket wasn't that bad, but it was pure skill set and why they are among the best," Krunal said.
Krunal also shed light on his own evolution as a bowler, revealing that the introduction of variations like the bouncer and altered trajectory deliveries was a conscious attempt to outthink batters in a format increasingly dominated by power-hitting.
"Every year the opposition prepares for you, so it becomes a mental game as well. I was thinking what I can add to be one step ahead. That’s where the bouncer and change in trajectory came in," he explained.
The left-arm spinner acknowledged that executing such variations is physically demanding, particularly for a spinner.
"It's not easy for a spinner to bowl a bouncer. A lot depends on fitness. But I've never been scared to try new things. I took it as a challenge," he said.
Touching upon his cricketing roots, Krunal revealed that the seeds of his experimental approach were sown years ago while playing on matting wickets, where he was forced to innovate after being taken apart by batters.
"That's where I learnt things like bouncers and wide yorkers. Over time, roles change, but this year I felt the need to add something new, especially with how aggressively batters are playing," he said.
Despite the dominant performance, Krunal struck a cautious note on RCB's campaign, insisting that the team is not looking too far ahead in the tournament. As of now they are placed second in the table with 12 points from six wins in eight matches.
Along with Punjab Kings, RCB are favourites from here to claim top-two spot in the race to play-offs.
The 33-year-old lauded Virat Kohli for his sustained excellence, calling him a "flag bearer" of fitness culture in Indian cricket.
"To have that consistency for so many years is unbelievable. He has changed the way people see fitness in the sport," Krunal added.
