On Tuesday, November 27, 2018, a ceremony was held in Grenoble, France, to renew the agreement between Israel and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) for another five years.

 

The State of Israel has been a member of the ESRF facility since 1999. Thanks to the excellent work of Israeli researchers there, Israel’s use of the facility had increased over the years beyond its participation in the budget. With the renewal of the agreement, Israel's budgetary commitment was increased from 1.5% to 1.75%, allowing Israeli researchers to continue their extensive activity there.

 

The signing ceremony was held in the presence of representatives from the 22 member countries of the organization's board. Prof. Moshe Deutsch spoke at the ceremony and signed the agreement on behalf of the president of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Prof. Nili Cohen, who was unable to attend. ESRF Director General Prof. Francesco Sette praised the work of the Israeli researchers at the facility and the great contribution of Nobel laureate and Israel Academy Member Prof. Ada Yonath to the facility's activities.

 

At the conclusion of the signing ceremony, a festive event was held to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the ESRF. The ceremony was attended by Prof. Yonath; Prof. Yuval Golan, Israel's representative to the ESRF Council and Chair of the National Committee for Synchrotron Radiation; and Ms. Galia Finzi, Israel's representative to the Administrative & Financial Committee of the ESRF and Director of the Israel Academy.

 

Celebrations marking 30 years since the establishment of the ESRF: Representatives of the member

countries with Nobel laureate and Academy Member Prof. Ada Yonath. (courtesy of ESRF)

 

 

The signing ceremony for the renewal of the agreement. From left: Professor Yuval Golan; Prof. Miguel Angel Garcia Aranada, Chair of the ESRF Council; Prof. Moshe Deutsch; Prof. Francesco Sette; and Ms. Galia Finzi.

(courtesy of ESRF)