At the end of September 2026, Prof. Uriya Shavit, Head of the Institute, visited Denmark and the Faroe Islands where he met with academics, diplomats, journalists, and political representatives to discuss regional developments and research and educational cooperation. Prof. Shavit was joined by Research Fellow Antonio Peña and Research Associate Premton Asllani, who is currently leading the organization of a joint Albanian-Danish-Israeli workshop of young leaders on the moral lessons of heroic rescuing of Jews during the Holocaust.

In Copenhagen, Prof. Shavit met with Sisse Norman Canguilhem, Director of the Danish Foreign Policy Society. The meeting was arranged by Zvi Tal, Israel’s seasoned Ambassador to Denmark, and was attended also by Booni Cohavi, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy. Canguilhem introduced the Society’s public events and publications and, together with Prof. Shavit, discussed advancing academic cooperation between the Society, Tel Aviv University, and Israeli scholars in general.

Ambassador Tal and his wife hosted the delegation for dinner at their Copenhagen residence. Guests included Anne Sofie Allarp, a journalist at Weekendavisen; Nasser Khader, a former member of Parliament; Thomas Hoffmann, a professor of Islamic studies at the University of Copenhagen; and Nina Palesa Bonde, a Danish legal professional and public commentator. The gathering offered an opportunity to share perspectives on Israel, the Middle East, and Europe.

Later, Prof. Shavit gave an in-depth interview to Waleed Safi, the Middle East correspondent for Weekendavisen. The conversation focused on Israel’s elections and current political situation.

In the Faroe Islands, the delegation met Bárður á Lakjuni, Minister of Education, to discuss opportunities for Faroese university students at Tel Aviv University. Prof. Shavit introduced the Institute’s fellowship program and explained the research on Jewish life in small communities. The Minister welcomed the visit and emphasized the importance of relations with Israel and the Jewish people. Faroese news outlet VP reported on the meeting, which took place at a particularly important time, when the Faroese government was discussing whether its diplomatic missions in Israel should be closed down.

The delegation visited Glasir, one of the islands’ largest educational institutions, where they met Jákup (Jacov) Bech Jensen, teacher and coordinator. Jensen introduced Glasir’s secondary and vocational programs. Discussions explored short-term exchanges allowing Faroese students to study in Israel and Israeli students to spend several weeks at Glasir, alongside possible joint student projects.

A separate meeting with Prof. Shavit brought together Faroese political and business representatives: Jenis av Rana, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Chairman of the Centre Party; Sjúrður Skaale, Member of the Danish Parliament representing the Faroese Social Democratic Party; Hans Andreas Dam, businessman; Jákup Joensen, businessman and Chairman of the Faroe Islands-Israel Friendship Association; Hanna Jensen, former Faroese politician and French Consul in the Faroe Islands; Astrið Breckmann, Member of the Faroese Parliament representing the People’s Party; and Óli Breckmann, former Member of the Danish Parliament. The lively discussion covered the Israeli elections, bilateral relations and study opportunities, including the fellowship’s lectures, meetings and educational visits across Israel.

The delegation also met Svenning av Lofti, Honorary Consul of Israel in the Faroe Islands, who described his longstanding connection to Israel, his work assisting Israeli visitors and his experience organizing tours. He also discussed Christianity’s influence on Faroese attitudes toward Israel and expressed interest in the establishment of direct flights. Prof. Shavit suggested exploring an air connection linking Tel Aviv, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland.