When Dvora Dorsman Yarkoni completed her cadet training in August 2020, the world
was still grappling with the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic. International travel
had slowed, schools were closed, and like many working parents, she found herself
navigating both professional ambition and family responsibility from home. At the time,
she had just transitioned from a year-long role in the economic division at Israel’s
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gaining behind-the-scenes insight into diplomacy.
What she did not yet know was where in the world she would be posted.
“I had three options—South America, India in Mumbai, and Nairobi,” she recalls.
For someone who had never set foot on the African continent, Nairobi was not the
obvious choice. But sometimes, career-defining decisions are shaped by unexpected
conversations.
“A friend of mine, Eyal, who had served as deputy ambassador in Kenya, told me about
Nairobi and convinced me it would be a great professional opportunity,” she says. “Not
just because of the number of countries I would be accredited to, but also because of the
presence of the United Nations. And of course, he told me Kenya is a beautiful country
to explore.”
That endorsement was enough. She placed Nairobi as her first choice and soon after, she
found herself stepping into one of the most dynamic diplomatic roles in the region as
Israel’s deputy ambassador accredited to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Seychelles,
and the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON).
Her appointment also carried symbolic weight. For more than two decades, the role had
largely been held by men, with only a few women breaking through that ceiling. Among
them was Meirav Eilon Shahar, now Israel’s Permanent Representative to the United
Nations and International Organizations in Geneva. Dorsman Yarkoni hopes to follow in
similar footsteps.
“I would like to grow in this career and represent my country at higher levels,” she says.
“But equally important for me is to build meaningful connections and share Israeli
culture with Kenyans.”
One of the ways she has done this is through cultural diplomacy. Under her watch, the
Israeli Embassy supported the fifth edition of the Sherekea Film Festival held at the
Nairobi National Museum.
“For three days, we screened six films, both documentaries and feature films, that
showcased different aspects of Israeli society,” she explains. “It’s important for people to
see the complexity and diversity of who we are.”
Beyond film, she points to ongoing creative collaborations, including a student film
competition that invites young people to submit short productions, an initiative she
believes fosters cross-cultural storytelling.
But cultural exchange is only one part of her mandate. At a broader level, she is keen on
strengthening bilateral ties between Kenya and Israel, particularly in sectors such as
tourism, agriculture, and technology.
“I really hope we can establish a direct Kenya-Israel flight,” she says. “That would
significantly increase tourism. Israelis are always looking for new destinations, and
Kenya has so much to offer.”
Her vision reflects a growing recognition within diplomatic circles that connectivity,
both physical and economic, is key to deepening international relationships.
Yet, Dorsman Yarkoni’s path to diplomacy was far from linear.
Before entering the foreign service, she spent 11 years working as a prosecutor in Israel,
a career rooted in law, structure, and the pursuit of justice.
“When I went to study law in my twenties, diplomacy was not even on my mind,” she
says. “I was simply thinking about building a career and making a living.”
Her work within the police prosecution department exposed her to some of the most
difficult aspects of society, including cases involving violent crime. But it was domestic
violence cases that left the deepest mark.
“These cases were always the hardest,” she reflects. “Often, women would file
complaints and then later withdraw them, sometimes because they had reconciled,
sometimes because they were afraid, and sometimes because they had achieved what
they needed, like a divorce.”
The emotional weight of such cases, combined with the intensity of the job, eventually
led her to re-evaluate her path.
“After 11 years, I felt something was missing,” she says. “There was a sense of emptiness,
like I needed a change.”
Making that change, however, was not easy.
“I was giving up a stable job and a good salary without a clear plan,” she admits. “It was
a big risk.”
With the support of her husband, she decided to apply for Israel’s highly competitive
Foreign Ministry cadet course, the gateway into diplomatic service.
“If it didn’t work out, I thought I might become a history teacher or open my own law
firm,” she says. “But I knew I had to try.”
At the age of 40, her gamble paid off. She was selected as one of just 20 cadets—a
moment she describes as life-changing.
The training, however, came with its own challenges. Conducted during the height of the
pandemic, the program was disrupted almost immediately when one of the cadets tested
positive for Covid-19.
“We had to quarantine and continue classes on Zoom,” she recalls. “Even when we
returned, everything was under strict protocols—masks, distancing, constant
adjustments.”
At the same time, she was navigating motherhood, arranging childcare for her young
children at a time when schools were closed.
“It was difficult,” she says. “The cost of a nanny was high, but I kept reminding myself
that it was temporary.”
The six-month course demanded long hours of study and limited time with family, but it
also prepared her for the realities of diplomatic life—adaptability, resilience, and
constant change.
Today, as a mother of three, Dorsman Yarkoni credits her support system for making it
possible to balance career and family.
“It helps to have a strong partner,” she says. “But beyond that, women need to recognize
that their own happiness matters.”
She is candid about the pressures many women face when pursuing demanding careers.
“There is always guilt,” she says. “As you move higher in your career, you see fewer
women not because they are not capable, but because many choose to prioritize their
families, or feel pressured to do so.”
She adds that societal expectations often amplify this tension. For her, the solution lies
in redefining partnership within families.
“You hear questions—are you still taking care of your home, are you cooking, are you
doing everything expected of you? That creates pressure,” she says.
“Men need to be part of the conversation,” she adds. “They need to be equal partners.
That’s something I hope to teach my sons that supporting your partner’s dreams is just
as important as pursuing your own.”
Her approach to both career and family reflects a broader philosophy—one rooted in
growth, curiosity, and openness to change.
Diplomacy, she says, is a career for those who embrace uncertainty.
“You are constantly moving, constantly learning,” she explains. “Every few years, you
are in a new country, with a new role, new challenges. It keeps you sharp.”
The rewards, she adds, go beyond professional achievement.
“You meet people from different cultures, you gain new perspectives, and you grow as a
person,” she says. “It’s a unique way to serve your country.”
Still, the lifestyle comes with its own set of challenges—particularly for families.
“For children, it can be difficult not to have a single place to call home,” she
acknowledges. “But at the same time, they gain something very special—they become
global citizens.”
It is a trade-off she hopes her children will one day appreciate.
“Yes, it can be hard to leave friends and family behind,” she says. “But it is also an
opportunity to build new relationships and experience the world in a way few people
can.”
For Dorsman Yarkoni, the key is perspective.
“If you focus on the opportunities, you will enjoy this life,” she says. “If you focus only
on the challenges, then maybe it is not the right path for you.”
