Two Troy University political science professors have interviewed the Israeli Ambassador to Albania and Bosnia in their latest episode of “International Insights.”
Hosted by Political Science Department Chair Dr. Michael Slobodchikoff and International Relations Graduate Director Dr. G. Doug Davis, the show will air tonight, Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. on TrojanVision, TROY’s on-campus television station carried on cable systems in Montgomery and throughout the Wiregrass. It is also available on TrojanVision’s YouTube page.
The 30-minute episode includes a discussion of Ambassador Galit Peleg’s experiences and how they translate to ongoing issues in Israel, focusing on the Hamas-Israeli conflict, the war in Ukraine and domestic issues in Israeli politics.
The interview was set up and managed by TROY alumnus Klajd Heta, a graduate of the Master of Science in International Relations. Heta is Head of the Economic Department at the Embassy of Israel in Albania and Bosnia &Herzegovina.
“He reached out to us to introduce the ambassador, which led us to interviewing her for the show,” Slobodchikoff said.
After completing an undergraduate degree in communication and media studies, Heta was a working journalist and producer before entering government service as a strategic planner in Tirana, Albania. He joined the Israeli embassy in May.
“It was one of our most significant interviews. Ambassador Peleg has an impressive diplomatic record. She coordinated the Israeli medical and food aid to Ukraine before moving to Albania,” said Davis.
Davis said that in the episode, Ambassador Peleg discusses her diplomatic experience before turning her attention to the Hamas attacks.
“This terrorist attack struck Israel in its heart and it was valuable to hear the perspective of an Ambassador who is has been working tirelessly responding to the attack,” he said. “It was heartbreaking to hear some of the stories she shared, but it was also reassuring to hear her describe Israel’s resolve and willingness to defend itself. She also spoke of the importance of the relationships with the United States and how Biden’s speech of support was important to Israel. This episode is important for everyone who wishes to understand the Middle East.”
A career diplomat, Ambassador Peleg joined the Israeli Foreign Service in 1998 and has served as deputy ambassador to Morocco and Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro. She has been stationed in Brussels and led a “branding Israel” project while in the Media and Public Affairs Division of the Ministry. From 2016-2019, she was Head of the Department for Public Policy and Academic Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in New York City. She was appointed Ambassador in 2022.
She holds degrees in Islam and Middle East Studies and International Relations from Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
