Issue date: 01 Sep, 2006
On occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of Spanish-Israeli Diplomatic Relations, Correos wishes to commemorate this day with a stamp of the anniversaries series
On January 17th 1986 an Agreement was signed in The Hague for the establishment of diplomatic relations between these two countries. This put an end to the historic anachronism originated by the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492 which had caused both countries to drift apart even after the foundation of the State of Israel in 1948. Since the restoration of the democracy in Spain, one of the aims of all governments has been to broaden its relationship with all the international community, Israel being one of its member states. During these two decades of diplomacy, Spain has shown interest in everything concerning the countries in this area. Recently in November 2005, Barcelona hosted the Euro-Mediterranean Summit, which brought together the countries of the southern shore of the Mediterranean and the EU countries. This stamp depicts an image that combines history and modernity. The latter is represented by the Shrine of the Book, which is part of the Museum of Israel, in Jerusalem. This museum was founded in 1965 and is the expression of modern architecture. Its structure simulates the lids of the clay recipient where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were found and which are kept in this museum. These documents were discovered between 1947 and 1956 in a cave on the shore of the Dead Sea and they comprise a collection of 850 manuscripts which have been written in several languages (80 per cent in Hebrew, 19 per cent in Aramaic and the rest in Greek) and which contain information about the first Jewish people. The historical significance of the stamp relies in the capital depicted in the stamp. Its inverted pyramidal base, decorated with creased and crossed curves, dates back to the 8th century, and comes from the convent of Misericordia in Palma and is conserved at the Mallorca Museum. This museum contains an important artistic collection of the history of Mallorca, where the Jewish community left an indelible track.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
Rate B - €1.65. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to Europe (including Greenland), up to 20 g.
Rate C - €1.75. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the rest of the world (except USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand), up to 20 g.
Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.