Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

From NASDAQ to the Western Wall: Panama’s ambassador speaks out

WATCH: “TALX” with Alex Traiman and guest Ezra Cohen

What happens when a former tech CEO and Jewish community leader becomes Panama’s ambassador to Israel?

On this episode of “Talx,” JNS CEO and Jerusalem bureau chief Alex Traiman sits down with Ezra Cohen, Panama’s envoy to the Jewish state, for a candid conversation about diplomacy, crisis management and the untold story of Israel’s global image.

The ambassador shares his journey from business success—leading the first Panamanian company listed on NASDAQ—to serving his country during wartime in Israel. From rescuing stranded Panamanians during the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran to forging deep relationships with Israeli leaders, Cohen provides a behind-the-scenes look at what modern diplomacy entails.

The conversation also covers:

  • How Israel and Panama are strengthening bilateral ties
  • What most people get wrong about Israel’s global image
  • Why Latin American leaders are aligning more with Israel
  • Counterterrorism threats from Iran and Hezbollah in Latin America
  • Life and safety for Panama’s 14,000-strong Jewish community

This inspiring episode reveals why truth has “legs,” how perception shifts with firsthand experience, and why the diplomat believes that Israel’s story must be told more boldly.

See more at: @JNS_TV. And don’t forget to hit the subscribe button!

Alex Traiman is the CEO and Jerusalem bureau chief of the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) and host of “Jerusalem Minute.” A seasoned Israeli journalist, documentary filmmaker and startup consultant, he is an expert on Israeli politics and U.S.-Israel relations. He has interviewed top political figures, including Israeli leaders, U.S. senators and national security officials with insights featured on major networks like BBC, Bloomberg, CBS, NBC, Fox and Newsmax. A former NCAA champion fencer and Yeshiva University Sports Hall of Fame member, he made aliyah in 2004, and lives in Jerusalem with his wife and five children.
Many reservists were called up in the middle of the night for the surprise exercise, part of the military’s post-Oct. 7 testing of readiness.
The U.S. president said he would be willing to accept a 20-year freeze on Tehran’s nuclear program, but only with proper guarantees.
American forces hunted for Abu-Bilal al-Minuki for months over his killing of Christians, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said.
Those who mark “Nakba Day” are ignoring the real cause of the mass Arab migration in 1948, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.
Skirmishes to Israel’s north continue despite the announcement of a 45-day extension of the ceasefire.
“The name of the arch-terrorist Izz al-Din al-Haddad came up again and again” when speaking with the freed abductees, the IDF chief said.