The Foreign Ministry's Committee for Diplomatic Appointments has decided to appoint Ofra Farhi as ambassador to Zambia and non-resident ambassador to Botswana and Zimbabwe, the ministry announced. Israel decided in January to open an embassy in Zambia, and Farhi - who currently serves as a roving ambassador - will become the permanent ambassador. Previously, she served as Deputy Ambassador to Italy, Director of External Relations at the HR Division and Director of the U.S. and Euro-Asian Economics Department. The embassy is expected to open in August.

