Israeli visitors bring message of new age to Las Vegas

Stacy J. Willis

Thursday, Dec. 9, 1999 | 11:13 a.m.

Israel is slipping out of its theo-political cloak. Underneath, there are orchestras and high-tech corporations; sports teams and tourism destinations.

"For a long time the focus of Israel has been on political and security issues, and people didn't pay attention to the rest of Israel," said Yuval Rotem, Consul General of Israel, the senior representative of Israel to the southwestern United States.

"But we now want to share with them the cultural and economic revolution that is taking place in Israel."

Rotem and a team of associates from the Los Angeles-based consulate will be in Las Vegas today to blanket the community with goodwill tete-a-tetes, huddling with leaders ranging from Mayor Oscar Goodman and Rep. Shelley Berkley to representatives of UNLV, the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas and gaming interests.

Rotem will also appear on the news discussion show "POV Vegas" today at 5, 6 and 8 p.m.

The ambassadors arrive one day after Israel and Syria agreed to resume land-for-peace negotiations and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat agreed to resume Middle East peace negotiations with Israel.

But their mission is to eclipse talk of politics and shine the light on "the rest of Israel."

"Of course, we will talk about the politics. But we want people to know about Israel beyond peace talks -- Israel has many other things going on -- soccer and philharmonic orchestras and everything you never hear about," said Arthur Lenk, the consulate's public affairs associate who will be among those visiting Las Vegas.

"There is room for mutual investment and cooperation between (Israel and Las Vegas), especially in areas such as water management, high technology, gaming and tourism," Lenk said.

"Water resources is an important issue for both regions. Israel has spent the better part of the century taming our own desert, transforming it into an oasis," said Rotem.

"I strongly believe I can share our experiences and know-how with Las Vegas."

Rotem said he also plans to meet with leaders of the gaming industry, prompted by the success of the region's first casino, the Palestinian-run Oasis in Jericho.

"There may be more gaming there in the future, yes," he said. "That's one thing we can learn in Las Vegas."

They also will talk to UNLV and economic officials about high technology company start-ups.

"Israel is next to the Silicon Valley in terms of absolute numbers of high-tech start-ups," said Rotem. "Per capita, we are well ahead of America."

"We are a society in transition. We were preoccupied with security and political issues, but now things are changing," Rotem said.

The visit is part of Rotem's larger effort to connect with major western cities outside of Los Angeles. At 39, Rotem is the youngest consul general ever to be appointed to the southwestern region. He took over the ambassadorial position three months ago.

"Israel is in many ways not the same in the 1990s as it was in the 1980s. The social fabric is different," said Rotem. "We believe we are on a new horizon."

"Las Vegas is one of the six or seven most vibrant communities in the western United States," said Rotem. "A decade from now it may be much more than a gaming powerhouse, it may be an economic powerhouse and center of culture. We want to try to reach out with the message of Israel."