Overview

From a small village in Iran to a childhood spent in a ma’abarah (a refugee and immigration camp) in Israel, and ultimately to the marble corridors of the Vatican, Holy Land, Holy See tells the extraordinary journey of an Israeli diplomat who devoted more than four decades to serving his country. Born in Borujerd, Iran, and raised in Israel in poverty under difficult circumstances, Zion Evrony rose through the ranks of Israel’s Foreign Ministry to represent his nation in Houston, New York, Ireland, and the Vatican. Evrony’s memoir offers a rare insider’s perspective on Israel’s foreign service, Jewish-Catholic and Israel-Vatican relations, the Vatican itself, Israeli-Irish relations, and the enduring mystery of the lost treasures of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem. The author recounts his meetings with world leaders, including Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis, U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush, and many Israeli leaders, including David Ben-Gurion, Shimon Peres, and Benjamin Netanyahu. Evrony also chronicles historic events such as the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the election of Pope Francis, and the challenges of representing Israel in countries highly critical of its policies. In addition, he shares his views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the war in Gaza. Blending candid reflections with vivid storytelling, the author reveals the human side of diplomacy – its challenges, adventures, and triumphs. Both a deeply personal narrative and a revealing window into the world of diplomacy, this book stands as a testament to resilience, dialogue, and the enduring quest for peace.

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9781680535938

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Ambassador Zion Evrony was born in Iran and immigrated with his family to Israel in 1950, when he was one year old. He spent his childhood in a ma’abarah (refugee camp), without electricity or running water. With his father unemployed, the family endured severe poverty. At age 13, Evrony was admitted to a Jerusalem boarding school for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. He went on to receive a B.A. in sociology and political science, an M.B.A, and a Ph.D. in international relations from Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 1973, he joined Israel’s Foreign Service and held distinguished positions in Jerusalem and abroad, including Ambassador to Ireland, Ambassador to the Holy See, Consul General in Houston, and Consul in New York. He also served as Head of the Policy Planning Division and Director of the Cadet Course for new diplomats. In 2001, he received Awards for Excellence from both Israel’s Foreign Ministry and its Civil Service. From 1991 to 1995, Ambassador Evrony taught at the Hebrew University, Tel Aviv University, and the Open University of Israel. Since his retirement, he has been an adjunct professor at universities in the United States, where he teaches courses on diplomacy, Israeli foreign policy, Judeo-Christian relations, and the Holocaust. Among his publications are Human Rights in International Relations (Hebrew; Open University Press, 2011) and Jewish-Catholic Dialogue (ed., Urbaniana University Press, 2016). He has also written opinion pieces for the New York Times and other papers focusing on the war in Gaza, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Judeo-Christian relations.

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