Joel Lion

Joel Lion (; born 1964) is an Israeli diplomat. A senior member of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1993, he has served as Ambassador to Ukraine, First resident Ambassador of Israel to the Republic of Moldova. , former Non-Resident Ambassador of the State of Israel to the Republic of Armenia with residence in Jerusalem.He was also Consul-General of Israel in Montreal and Permanent Representative of Israel to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In Jerusalem, he held roles as Chief of Diplomatic Staff of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Hotovely, Special Envoy for Holocaust Restitution and Director of Public and Academic Affairs. Lion is known for his work in Holocaust-era property restitution, cultural diplomacy—such as the touring exhibition Open a Door to Israel—and for coordinating Israeli humanitarian assistance in Eastern Europe during conflicts.

Early life and education Lion was born in France to Alain Lion and Helene Becher and raised in Esch-sur-Alzette in Luxembourg. He attended a Yeshiva high school in Switzerland before immigrating to Israel in 1982 through the Bnei Akiva “Hachshara” program, later on he served in the Israel Defense Forces and attained the rank of Staff-Sergeant in the Artillery Corps. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a Master’s in History from the University of Latvia, and a PhD in Jewish Heritage from Ariel University, the subject of his dissertation was: "The Israeli Foreign Service and the Jewish Immigration from the French Protectorates in North Africa (1948-1956)". He received rabbinical ordination from Rabbi Daniel Chanan of Yeshivat Pirchei Shoshanim and from the Chief Rabbi of the city of Holon, Rabbi Eliyahu Yohanan Gur-Arieh. In addition, he completed the International Training Course in Security Policy of the Federal Military Department of Switzerland, at GCSP in Geneva. Lion is fluent in Hebrew, English, French, German, Luxembourgish, Yiddish and has a good knowledge of Russian.

Personal life Lion is married to Rivka Ende, a father of eight and grandfather of nine. In his free time, he volunteers as an EMT with United Hatzalah.

Diplomatic career

Lion joined the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1993. He was appointed Consul General of Israel in Montreal from August 2011 to August 2014, with jurisdiction over Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, and concurrently served as Permanent Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). As Special Envoy for Holocaust Restitution, Lion promoted the cooperation between the State of Israel and WJRO, and helped facilitate a 2017 joint declaration by Members of the European Parliament supporting increased action on Holocaust-era property claims and restitution. He also oversaw the opening of Israel’s embassy in Chișinău in 2024 and played a critical role in coordinating Israeli assistance during the Ukrainian refugee crisis in 2022.

Special Missions In 1999, he became the first Israeli official to partake in the mission of election monitoring with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. At the start of the second Intifada in 2001, Mr. Lion operated as Spokesman with the MFA special team in Bethlehem. During operation "Cast Lead", he worked as director in charge of the MFA Press Center in Sderot. During the Russian invasion of Ukraine he headed Israel's Emergency Response Team in Moldova, dealing with the Ukrainian refugee crisis.

Publications The Trees Sing, A Sourcebook for Tu Bi-Shevat, selected by Rabbi Moshe Edelman, edited by Joel Lion, published by the Jewish National Fund 1992 What is really on trial in the Goldstone Report Israel is ready for peace, by Joel Lion, Albany Times Union, December 19, 2009 Hoping for a reconciliation between friends, by Joel Lion, JTA, January 14, 2010 It takes two to forge a lasting Mideast peace, by Joel Lion, NY Daily News, December 6, 2009 Lessons Must be Learned from the Holocaust, IsraelPolitik, 04/12/2010 Israel @ 62 – “If you will it, it is no dream”, by Joel Lion, IsraelPolitik, Apr. 20, 2010 Earth Day is every day in Israel. by Joel Lion, IsraelPolitik, Apr. 22, 2010 Can Peace Talks Work in Face of PA Incitement?. by Joel Lion, Algemeiner Journal, May 4, 2010 A Freeze On Mideast Politics October 5, 2010, in the Jewish Week The Tomb of Rachel and UNESCO November 15, 2010, in OU Shabbat Shalom Newsletter Judah Maccabee and the Peace Process in the blog Israelpolitik, December 3, 2010 Letter to the Editor of the New York Times: Residents of Jerusalem, Published: December 4, 2010 Letter to the Editor of the New York Times:Israel and the Gaza Flotilla, Published: June 3, 2011 Libre Opinion in Le Devoir :Pour la paix de nos deux peuples, Published: September 23, 2011 Lessons for the Middle East from the Festival of Lights, Published: December 23, 2011 Holocauste - Victimes et héros, Published: January 30, 2012 Time to Cash in on the Peace Dividend, Published: April 25, 2012 Recrudescence des activités terroristes, Published: July 30, 2012 Légitime défense, Published: November 17, 2012 Joël Lion, Special to The Gazette (Montreal) :Hamas violence forcing Israel to defend itself , Published: November 21, 2012 Joël Lion, Special to the National Post :Palestinian unilateralism will solve nothing, Published: November 29, 2012 Joël Lion, Special to The Gazette (Montreal) :Opinion: Israel is not ‘bombing civilians’, Published: July 17, 2014

In the news Joel Lion, Надзвичайний та Повноважний Посол Держави Ізраїль в Україні, з Mykola Siruk та Щоденна всеукраїнська газета «День». Meeting the Prime Minister of Ukraine L-3836254,00.html YNET: Praise for Israeli mission in Haiti: 'Only ones operating' Toronto film fest calls Israeli PR strategy into question Pro-Israel Ad Campaign on ‘NYT’ Website? Refutes Gaza War criticisms Geste der Versöhnung Berliner Studenten radeln von Sachsenhausen nach Israel Der popmusikalische Botschafter Israelsk politi holdt konserter i Tyskland Lithuanian, Israeli diplomats hold political consultations Israel is inventive moving and spiritual not just about conflict Yuri Foreman: boxing champ and rabbinical scholar This Rabbi-To-Be Knows How To Throw A Punch »In den nächsten 100 Jahren kein echter Frieden« Israelischer Botschaftsrat Joel Lion schildert seine Sicht des Nahostkonfliktes „Ich liebe diese Stadt“ New York Jews sail 'True Freedom Flotilla' for Gilad Shalit Shalom, Latinos! Local Latino, Jewish leaders gather to reaffirm bond Lieberman woos New York's Russians Israel Mountain Blaze Rages in Algemeiner, 12/04/2010 Joel Lion - Israel's media man in The Jewish Star, 02/16/2011 in the Jewish Tribune, 30/8/2011 New Israeli envoy formerly posted in New York in the Canadian Jewish News, 08/09/2011 ISRAEL GIVES HISTORIC MENORAH TO ICAO MONTREAL WELCOMES PERES WITH LOVE AND JOY MFA welcomes European Parliament President's endorsement of holocaust restitution