Let there be light!
Photo: US Embassy Tel Aviv's Twitter account
US Embassy in Tel Aviv illuminated in pink
Ambassador Dan Shapiro turns on pink lights on seaside embassy building in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The seaside US Embassy building in Tel Aviv, facing the city's promenade, was illuminated in pink Tuesday evening in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
A sign posted on near the building reads "Early Detection Saves Lives" in English, Hebrew and Arabic. The bright lights will be lit until Saturday night.
Video: Ziv Sokolov, US Embassy Tel Aviv (צילום: זיו סוקולוב - שגרירות ארצות הברית בתל אביב)
The pink lights were turned on by US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro in a short ceremony held on the promenade, in the presence of the embassy's Israeli and American workers.
Ambassador Shapiro during the short ceremony (Photo: US Embassy Tel Aviv's Twitter account)
Embassy in pink (Photo: US Embassy Tel Aviv's Twitter account)
Ambassador Shapiro said the embassy was proud to take part in the important effort in cooperation with the Mariam Foundation. He added that breast cancer, the most common cancer among women around the world, attacks Americans and Israelis of all ages, income levels and backgrounds. This symbolic gesture, he said, emphasizes the hope that all women will enjoy the gift of a long, happy and healthy life.
The embassy's illumination joins additional activities around the world to raise awareness to breast cancer. Menashe Kadishman's famous statue in Tel Aviv's Habima Square, for example, received a new feature last week: An enormous pink brassiere, with each "cup" measuring 5 meters across.
The US Embassy, led by Ambassador Shapiro, is known for its communal activity and work for various social goals. Last June, during the Tel Aviv Pride Parade, the embassy building was covered with the LGBT movement's rainbow flags.
Itamar Eichner contributed to this report.
