A warm welcome to our new Honorary Consul in Haifa and the Northern District, Gil Castel, who took up his new position today after an official ceremony at the Israeli Ministry for Foreign Affairs. We took the opportunity to ask Gil some questions about his new role:
- How would you present yourself in three sentences?
My name is Gil Castel, 39 years old, I’m married to Yuval and father to Yuli (5) and Michael (3). Born and raised in Haifa, Israel. I am the General Manager of our family-owned company which represents shipping companies in Israel and 3rd generation in my family to act as the Honorary Consul of Sweden in Haifa and the North of Israel.
- Why did you want to be the Honorary Consul of Sweden?
Being 3rd generation in this position after my late grandfather Shlomo Castel and my father David is a huge honour for me and part of my family’s legacy. Personally, I’m deeply connected to Sweden, as a liberal democracy with an excellent social welfare system with whom we share common values. Sweden has been living in peace for 500 years and we have been praying for peace over 2000 years. So, I’m deeply honoured to act as the honorary consul of Sweden in Haifa and the North.
- What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
I am most looking forward to work with the Ambassador and the whole Embassy team, to further promote the business relations between Israel and Sweden, both in trade and in innovation, to connect Israeli and Swedish entrepreneurs and to promote tourism to Sweden and of course, to continue to provide service to Swedish nationals at the consulate in Haifa.
The Swedish Embassy is very much looking forward to working together with Gil, to assist Swedish Citizens in Israel and to strengthen Swedish-Israeli relationships.
