Seven Israelis awarded under Nazarbayev's instruction

Seven citizens of Israel were awarded under personal decree of Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev during celebration of the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence in one of Tel-Aviv hotels on December 6, KazTAG reports citing IzRus portal. The celebration of the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence took place on December 6 in Dan Panorama hotel, Tel-Aviv. The event that is normally attended by many Israeli political and public persons included special awards, anniversary decorations. The list of awardees was approved by the special decree of Kazakhstan President. According to IzRus, seven people were awarded. They include senior rabbis of Israel Shlomo Amar and Iona Metsger, who was awarded for support in creation of the Forum of World Religions in Kazakhstan. Knesset deputy Faina Kirshenbaum, former Minister of Industry and Trade Binyamin Ben-Eliezer and former ambassador in Astana Ran Ishai received an award for special contribution to development of bilateral relations. The awardees also include David Luksemburg, honorary consular of Kazakhstan in Israel, and Mark Ganapolsky, repatriate from Kazakhstan who is considered the ‘father’ of Kazakhstan narcology. Kazakhstan Ambassador Galym Orazbakov invited Kazakhstan Chamberata band to the event. The band is headed by professor Gaukhar Murzabekova. The invitations were sent out to several Israeli politicians: Minister of Religion Yakov Margi, Minister of Tourism Stas Missezhnikov, Minister of Absorption Sofa Landvert, as well as Knesset deputies, businessmen and diplomats.