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Foreign relations of Israel

January 01, 1970

Foreign relations of Israel refers to diplomatic and trade relations between Israel and other countries around the world. Israel has diplomatic ties with 164 of the other 192 UN member states as of December 2020.[1] Israel is a member of the United Nations (UN) and a number of other international organisations. Israel maintains full diplomatic relations with two of its Arab neighbours, Egypt and Jordan, after signing peace treaties in 1979 and 1994 respectively. In 2020, Israel signed agreements establishing diplomatic relations with three Arab League countries, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco. As of 2021, Israel had formal diplomatic relations with 168 other countries, while twenty-eight UN member states have either never established, or have broken off diplomatic relations with Israel.[2]

The Israeli Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem.

Israel's foreign relations are influenced primarily by Israel's strategic situation in the Middle East, the broader Arab–Israeli conflict and the conflict with Iran particularly over Iran's nuclear program, along with the rejection by regional states. Israel's foreign policy goals have therefore been to overcome diplomatic isolation and to achieve recognition and friendly relations with as many nations as possible, both in the Middle East region and further afield. Israel practices both open and secret diplomacy to further national goals, for example, commercial trade and science and technology cooperation, importing raw materials, engaging in military procurement as well as exporting arms and military assistance, intelligence cooperation with its allies, and prisoner-of-war exchanges and other arrangements for hostage releases. It has also sought to foster increased Jewish immigration to Israel and to protect vulnerable Jewish communities in the Diaspora, to offer aid to developing countries and humanitarian assistance to countries facing large-scale disasters.[3]

Israel's close friendship with the United States has been a linchpin of its foreign policy since the establishment of the state. Until the Iranian Revolution and the fall of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1979, Israel and Iran maintained close ties. Iran was the second Muslim-majority country to recognize Israel as a sovereign nation after Turkey.[4][5] In the mid-20th century, Israel ran extensive foreign aid and educational programs in Africa, sending experts in agriculture, water management and health care.[6] China is also one of the few countries in the world to concurrently maintain warm relations with both Israel and the Muslim world at large.[7] China's geopolitical credibility, reputation, and standing in world affairs has continued to play a significant role in shaping Israel's approach to international affairs and foreign policy towards Beijing, owing to China's global influence, which aligns harmoniously with the Jewish state's sensible economic management, political stability, as well as its regional strategic importance in the Middle East.[8][9][10]

During the 2000s, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that the increasing influence of the European Union would further isolate Israel in global affairs.[11][12] In the wake of a series of diplomatic rifts with Turkey and the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt in 2011, Israel had increasingly unfriendly relations with those countries for a few years.[13] During roughly the same period, Israeli relations with many countries in Europe including Greece and Cyprus in the context of the Energy Triangle and in Asia, including China and India, were enhanced, largely on account of the growth of Israel's high-tech economy.[14] Israeli ties with Egypt have improved since the Muslim Brotherhood was removed from power there, while ties to Turkey have been uneven since their 2010 nadir.

Membership in international organizations

 
Israeli flag at the United Nations building in New York

The first international organization which the Israeli government joined was the International Wheat Council, established as part of Point Four Program in early 1949. Israel has been a member of the United Nations since 11 May 1949.

Israel is a member of many UN agencies, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Israel also participates in other international organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).[15] Israel left the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in a coordinated move with the US in 2019.[16]

Within the UNESCO, Israel was a member in many international programs and organizations. In the area of science, Israel was an active member of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the International Hydrological Programme (IHP), the International Centre for Synchrotron-Light for Experimental Science Applications in the Middle East (SESAME), and the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP).

Other notable organizations Israel is an active member of include the Education For All movement, the European Centre for Higher Education (CEPES), the World Heritage Committee (WHC), the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).[17] Relations were carried out through the Israeli National Commission for UNESCO.[18]

Israel joined the European Union's Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development (FP) in 1994,[19] and is a member of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN),[20] the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL).[21] It is also a member of the Bank for International Settlement (BIS) since 2003.[22]

On 10 May 2010, Israel was invited to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).[23] Israel is a member of NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue forum.[24] In 2014 Israel joined the Paris Club.[25]

After over 50 years of not being part of a regional grouping in the UN (effectively shut out of many internationals organizations), Israel joined the Western European and Others group on a temporary basis in 2000. Israel joined on a permanent basis in 2014.

Diplomatic relations

See also: International recognition of Israel
 
World map showing status of Israel's diplomatic relations in 2020.

After the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Israel was subjected to Arab League boycotts and attempts to diplomatically isolate the state. As of 2020, Israel has diplomatic ties with 164 out of the other 192 member states of the United Nations, as well as with the Holy See, Kosovo, the Cook Islands and Niue.[1] Some other countries recognize Israel as a state, but have no diplomatic relations. Several countries once had diplomatic relations with Israel, but have since broken or suspended them (Cuba and Venezuela in Latin America, Mauritania in the Arab League, Mali and Niger in non-Arab Africa, the Maldives in South Asia, and Iran until the Islamic revolution). In addition, a number of countries (all members of the Arab League) that at one time had formal economic ties (primarily trade offices) with Israel, which fell short of full diplomatic relations, subsequently severed such ties (Morocco, Oman, Qatar and Tunisia; however, Morocco renewed ties and established diplomatic relations in 2020).

List

List of countries which Israel maintains diplomatic relations with:

 
# Country Date
1   Guatemala 15 May 1948[26]
2   Nicaragua 18 May 1948[27]
3   Uruguay 18 May 1948[28]
4   Poland 19 May 1948[29]
5   Hungary 24 May 1948[30]
6   Russia 26 May 1948[31]
7   El Salvador May 1948[32]
8   Romania 11 June 1948[33]
9   Czech Republic 3 July 1948[34]
10   Serbia 25 November 1948[35]
11   Bulgaria 29 November 1948[36]
12   Australia 29 January 1949[37]
13   Dominican Republic January 1949[38]
14   Paraguay January 1949[39]
15   United States 28 March 1949[40]
16   France 11 May 1949[41]
17   United Kingdom 14 May 1949[42]
18   Argentina 31 May 1949[43]
19   Brazil 1949[44]
20   Belgium 15 January 1950[45]
21   Luxembourg 16 January 1950[46]
22   Netherlands 16 January 1950[47]
23   Italy 22 January 1950[48]
24   Honduras January 1950[49]
25   Turkey January 1950[50]
26   Chile 16 May 1950[51]
27   Denmark 12 July 1950[52]
28   Sweden 12 July 1950[53]
29   Norway 19 July 1950[54]
30   Finland 14 November 1950[55]
31   Iceland 10 December 1950[56]
32   New Zealand 17 January 1951[57]
33    Switzerland 25 June 1951[58]
34   Japan 15 May 1952[59]
35   Mexico 1 July 1952[60]
—   Venezuela (suspended) 21 November 1952[61]
36   Myanmar 13 July 1953[62]
37   Thailand 28 June 1954[63]
38   Canada 28 July 1954[64]
39   Costa Rica 22 October 1954[65]
—   Cuba (suspended) 1954[66]
40   Austria 21 February 1956[67][68]
41   Ecuador 18 June 1957[69]
—   Colombia (suspended)[70] 1 July 1957[71]
42   Philippines 9 August 1957[72]
43   Liberia 22 August 1957[73]
44   Ghana October 1957[74]
45   Peru 1 January 1958[75]
46   Sri Lanka 1 January 1958[76]
47   Haiti 12 September 1958[77]
48   Cambodia 16 February 1959[78]
49   Guinea 24 August 1959[79]
50     Nepal 1 June 1960[80]
—   Mali (suspended) 28 June 1960[81]
51   Democratic Republic of the Congo 30 June 1960[82]
52   Madagascar 1 July 1960[83]
53   Cyprus 17 August 1960[84]
54   Togo September 1960[85]
55   Nigeria 1 October 1960[86]
56   Republic of the Congo 9 November 1960[85]
57   Senegal 10 November 1960[87]
58   Gabon 15 November 1960[85]
59   Chad 10 January 1961[88]
—   Bolivia (suspended) 26 April 1961[89][90]
60   Ivory Coast 24 May 1961[88]
61   Sierra Leone 1 June 1961[88]
62   Burkina Faso 5 July 1961[88]
63   Ethiopia 24 October 1961[91]
—   Niger (suspended) 9 November 1961[88]
64   Central African Republic 10 November 1961[88]
65   Benin 5 December 1961[88]
66   Tanzania 20 December 1961[92]
67   Trinidad and Tobago January 1962[93]
68   South Korea 10 April 1962[94]
69   Rwanda 1 July 1962[95]
70   Jamaica 29 August 1962[96]
71   Uganda 9 October 1962[97]
72   Burundi 22 December 1962[98]
73   Kenya 10 December 1963[99]
74   Ireland 25 January 1964[100]
75   Malawi 15 July 1964[101]
76   Cameroon 4 September 1964[102]
77   Zambia 17 March 1965[103]
78   Germany 10 May 1965[104]
79   Gambia 3 June 1965[105]
—   Maldives (suspended) 29 October 1965[106]
80   Malta December 1965[107]
81   Lesotho 4 October 1966[108]
82   Barbados 29 August 1967[109]
83   Mauritius 23 April 1968[110]
84   Eswatini September 1968[93]
85   Equatorial Guinea 1968[111]
86   Singapore 11 May 1969[112]
87   Fiji 10 October 1970[113]
88   Samoa 30 May 1972[114]
89   Botswana December 1972[115]
90   Bahamas 24 September 1974[116]
91   Grenada January 1975[93]
92   South Africa (suspended) January 1975[93][90]
93   Suriname 24 February 1976[117]
94   Panama 18 June 1976[118]
95   Portugal 12 May 1977[119]
96   Tonga June 1977[93]
97   Dominica January 1978[93]
98   Papua New Guinea 1 May 1978[120]
99   Saint Lucia January 1979[93]
100   Egypt 26 March 1979[121]
101   Saint Vincent and the Grenadines January 1981[93]
102   Antigua and Barbuda 22 June 1983[122]
103   Saint Kitts and Nevis January 1984[123]
104   Kiribati 21 May 1984[124]
105   Tuvalu July 1984[93]
—   Belize (suspended) 11 March 1985[125][90]
106   Spain 17 January 1986[126]
107   Marshall Islands 16 September 1987[127]
108   Federated States of Micronesia 23 November 1988[128]
109   Solomon Islands 1 January 1989[129]
110   Greece 21 May 1990[130]
111   Albania 19 August 1991[131]
112   Mongolia 2 October 1991[132]
113   Ukraine 26 December 1991[133]
114   Latvia 6 January 1992[134]
115   Lithuania 8 January 1992[135]
116   Estonia 9 January 1992[136]
117   India 21 January 1992[137]
118   China 25 January 1992[138]
119   Uzbekistan 21 February 1992[139]
120   Kyrgyzstan 4 March 1992[140]
121   Guyana 9 March 1992[141]
122   Belarus 26 March 1992[142]
123   Tajikistan 26 March 1992[143]
124   Armenia 4 April 1992[144]
125   Azerbaijan 7 April 1992[145]
126   Kazakhstan 10 April 1992[146]
127   Angola 16 April 1992[121]
128   Slovenia 28 April 1992[147]
129   Liechtenstein 5 May 1992[148]
130   Georgia 1 June 1992[149]
131   Moldova 22 June 1992[150]
132   Seychelles 30 June 1992[121]
133   Slovakia 1 January 1993[151]
134   Eritrea 24 May 1993[121]
135   Vietnam 12 July 1993[152]
136   Mozambique 26 July 1993[121]
137   Vanuatu 16 September 1993[153]
138   Turkmenistan 8 October 1993[154]
139   São Tomé and Príncipe 16 November 1993[121]
140   Zimbabwe 26 November 1993[121]
141   Laos 6 December 1993[155]
142   Namibia 21 January 1994[121]
143   Guinea-Bissau 10 March 1994[121]
144   Andorra 13 April 1994[156]
—   Holy See 15 June 1994[157]
145   Cape Verde 27 July 1994[121]
146   Palau 2 October 1994[158]
147   Jordan 26 October 1994[159]
148   Nauru December 1994[160]
149   San Marino 30 October 1995[161]
150   North Macedonia 7 December 1995[162]
151   Croatia 4 September 1997[163]
152   Bosnia and Herzegovina 4 September 1997[164]
—   Mauritania (suspended) 28 October 1999[165]
153   East Timor May 2002[93]
154   Montenegro 12 July 2006[166]
155   Monaco 30 November 2006[167]
—   Cook Islands April 2008[168]
156   South Sudan 28 July 2011[169]
157   Bahrain 11 September 2020[170][90]
158   United Arab Emirates 11 September 2020[170]
159   Bhutan 12 December 2020[171]
160   Morocco 22 December 2020[172]
—   Kosovo 1 February 2021[173]
—   Niue 3 August 2023[174]

No diplomatic relations

Member states of the United Nations

As of 2023, 30 United Nations member states do not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel (period of former relations marked in parentheses):

(Algeria,[176] Libya,[177] and Somalia[178][179][180] do not recognise Israel.)
(Iran,[189] Iraq,[190] Kuwait,[184] Lebanon,[184] Saudi Arabia,[184] Syria[184][191] and Yemen[184] do not recognise Israel as a state.)
(Afghanistan,[193] Bangladesh[194] and Pakistan[184] do not recognise Israel as a state.)
(None of these countries recognise Israel.)

Despite the lack of diplomatic relations, some of these countries accept Israeli passports and acknowledge other indications of Israeli sovereignty.

Other states

 
Tzipi Livni shaking hands with Salam Fayyad, 2008

Israel has no diplomatic relations with the following states or entities:

Limited relations

Comoros has no official diplomatic ties with Israel but the countries engage in mutual trade.[196]

Israeli citizens are admitted into North Korea with Israeli passports, but like other foreign visitors they are asked to deposit their passport with the local authorities and use specially issued local documents for tourists.[197]

North Africa and Middle East

See also: Arab League and the Arab–Israeli conflict
 
  Recognition of both Israel and Palestinian State
  Recognition of Palestinian State only
  Recognition of Palestine, with some relations to Israel
  Recognition of Israel only
  Recognition of Israel, with some relations to Palestine

On 1 October 1994, the Persian Gulf states announced their support for a review of the Arab boycott, abolishing the secondary and tertiary boycotts against Israel.[198]

Algeria

Main article: Algeria–Israel relations

In the mid-1990s, while Israel and North African states slowly started diplomatic relations, Algeria remained one of the last countries to consider such a move. It was only when Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak met Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika at the funeral of the Moroccan King Hasan II on 25 July 1999 that comments about rapprochement were made.

Algeria and Israel do not have diplomatic relations.

Bahrain

Main article: Bahrain–Israel relations

In 2011, amid Arab spring uprising, Wikileaks cables published on Haaretz revealed some of the hidden relations between Bahraini and Israeli officials. In a meeting with the U.S. ambassador in February 2005, Bahrain's king, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa had bragged about having contact with Israel's national intelligence agency, Mossad. He indicated that Bahrain is ready to develop relations in other fields as well. The king reportedly gave orders that official statements don't use phrases such as "enemy" and "Zionist entity" when referring to Israel anymore. However, he refused the idea of having trade relations, saying it was "too early" and would be postponed until the establishment of an independent Palestine state.[199]

Both countries agreed to fully normalize relations in September 2020.[200]

Egypt

Main article: Egypt–Israel relations
 
Menachem Begin, Jimmy Carter and Anwar Sadat at Camp David

Israel has had full diplomatic relations with Egypt since the signing of the Egypt–Israel peace treaty in 1979. In Israel, the 1978 Camp David Accords were supported by 85% of Israelis, according to a 2001 poll taken by the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies, based in Israel.[201]

However, Egyptian public opinion of Israel is highly negative. According to an Egyptian Government 2006 poll of 1,000 Egyptians (taken at the time of the 2006 Lebanon War), 92% of Egyptians view Israel as an enemy nation.[202][203]

Egypt has mediated several unofficial ceasefire understandings between Israel and Palestinians, especially with the Hamas government in the Gaza strip.

Iran

Main article: Iran–Israel relations
 
Iranian minister Reza Saffinia visiting the home of Israeli president Chaim Weizmann, 1950.

Relations between Israel and Iran have alternated from close political alliances between the two states, during the era of the Pahlavi dynasty, to open hostility following the rise to power of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. While Iran was the second Muslim-majority country to recognize Israel,[204] the two states do not currently have diplomatic relations with each other, due to Iran's withdrawal of its recognition of Israel. The post-1979 Iranian authorities avoid referring to Israel by its name, and instead use the terms "the Zionist regime" or "occupied Palestine". Iranian passports bear an inscription that says, "The bearer of this passport is forbidden from traveling to occupied Palestine."[205]

Due to recent rhetoric between Iran and Israel, development of nuclear technology, and Iranian funding of the groups Hamas and Hezbollah, tensions have risen dramatically between the State of Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran,[206] especially after the election of the hardline Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2005. Comments made by Ahmadinejad, who has called the Holocaust “a myth” and for Israel to be “wiped off the map”,[207][208][209][210][211][212][213] were perceived by Israel as threats of destruction.[214][215][216][217]

A large population of Iranian Jews lives in Israel, among them former president of Israel Moshe Katsav, former chief of staff / Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, and former chief of staff Dan Halutz.

Iraq

Main article: Iraq–Israel relations

No diplomatic relations between Israel and Iraq ever existed, but the issue of establishing such relations was given some consideration. Following the American-British led invasion of Iraq in 2003, diplomats had been discussing the possibility of establishing diplomatic relations between Israel and Iraq. However, then-Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said in 2004 that Iraq would not establish ties with Israel.[218]

Kurdistan Region

Main article: Israel–Kurdistan Region relations

In 2006, President of Kurdistan Region Massoud Barzani said: "It is not a crime to have relations with Israel. If Baghdad established diplomatic relations with Israel, we could open a consulate in Hewlêr (Kurdistan)." Israeli television broadcast photographs from the 1960s showing Mustafa Barzani embracing then Israeli defense minister Moshe Dayan. In 2004, Israeli officials met with Kurdish political leaders. In 2006 the BBC reported that Israel was training Kurdish militias in Iraqi Kurdistan.[219] In April 2012, it was alleged that high-ranking Kurdish officials had collected the revenues of Iraqi oil that had been smuggled to Israel via the Kurdistan Region.[220]

Jordan

Main article: Israel–Jordan relations
 
King Hussein, U.S. President Bill Clinton and Yitzhak Rabin, Israel-Jordan peace treaty

Israel has full diplomatic relations in peace with Jordan since the signing of the Israel–Jordan Treaty of Peace in 1994, but relations remain somewhat tense. Over half of the Jordanian populations descends from Palestinian refugees, who overwhelmingly have negative views of Israel.

Kuwait

Main article: Israel–Kuwait relations

Relations between Israel and Kuwait are generally hostile, mainly as part of the Arab–Israeli conflict. In 2019 Kuwait's Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah said "Kuwait will be the last country to normalize relations with Israel".[221]

Lebanon

Main article: Israel–Lebanon relations

According to Laura Zittrain Eisenberg, the author of My Enemy's Enemy, the pre-state Zionist attention to Lebanon consisted primarily of repeated attempts to establish a political alliance between the Jewish community in Palestine and the Maronite Catholic Community in Lebanon. Largely neglected by traditional scholarship on the Arab–Israeli condition, the Zionist-Lebanese relationship from 1900 to 1948 was surprisingly active and amicable. Zionist curiosity was naturally piqued by Lebanon, an Arab country with a sizable non-Muslim population enjoying political predominance.

During the war of 1975–1990, some right-wing militias were Israel's allies, and after the assassination of President Bachir Gemayel, Israel and Lebanon signed an agreement on 17 May 1983 which was a peace treaty in all but name. The Lebanese legislature ratified the treaty by a margin of 80 votes, but in a very weak and unstable domestic position president Amine Gemayel abrogated the peace treaty on 5 March 1984 under unrelenting Syrian pressure, after the U.S. Marines withdrew and after Israel had begun withdrawing from Lebanon.

During the Syrian Occupation of Lebanon (1976–2005), it was highly unlikely that Lebanon would sign a peace treaty with Israel before Syria, as Syria's influence on Lebanese politics was strong; although Syria has withdrawn from Lebanon, the Iran–Syria–Hezbollah axis remains entrenched through the heavy arms presence.

During the 90s, the success of the First Persian Gulf War created new opportunities for Middle East peacemaking. However, Lebanon was under the Syrian Occupation, which took over the treaties and negotiations.

In August 2006, after the clash between Hezbollah and Israel, Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said that Lebanon would be the "last Arab country to make peace with Israel" because of the large number of civilians that were killed in the 2006 Lebanon War.[222]

Since the year 2000, and due to many wars with Hezbollah, Israel treats Lebanon as an "enemy state",[223] although it is considering the possibility of a non-aggression pact.

In 2008 a Pew Research Center survey found that negative views concerning Jews were most common in Lebanon, with 97% of Lebanese having unfavorable opinion of Jews.[224] In a 2011 survey again by the Pew Research Center, all of the Muslim-majority Middle Eastern countries polled held strongly negative views of Jews. In the questionnaire, only 3% of Lebanese reported having a positive view of Jews.[225]

Morocco

Main article: Israel–Morocco relations

Moroccan expeditionary forces fought alongside a coalition of Arab countries in the Yom Kippur War against Israel.[226] In 1986, King Hassan II invited then Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres for talks, becoming the second Arab leader to host an Israeli leader after Anwar Sadat. Following the September 1993 signing of the Israeli-Palestinian Declaration of Principles, Morocco accelerated its economic ties and political contacts with Israel. In September 1994, Morocco and Israel announced the opening of bilateral liaison offices.[227] When the king died in 1999, then-prime minister Ehud Barak and the Moroccan-born foreign minister David Levy flew to Rabat for his funeral.[228] The foreign offices were closed in 2000 following sustained Israeli-Palestinian violence. In September 2016, Moroccan King Mohammed VI sent his personal adviser Andre Azulai, who is Jewish, to attend the state funeral of former Israeli Prime Minister and President Shimon Peres.[229]

Prior to the establishment of formal relations, Israeli tourism to Morocco was encouraged by the World Federation of Moroccan Jewry, a non-governmental private Jewish organization.[230]

On 10 December 2020, Morocco agreed to establish diplomatic relations with Israel in exchange for the United States supporting Morocco's claim on Western Sahara. On the same day, the United States agreed to the sale of sophisticated drones to Morocco.[231]

Oman

Main article: Israel–Oman relations

In 1996, Oman and Israel agreed to exchange trade representation offices.[232]

Qatar

Main article: Israel–Qatar relations

Qatar and Israel do not currently have diplomatic relations, although they maintained economic relations between 1996 and 2000. Qatar is a major financial supporter of the Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist group Hamas.

Saudi Arabia

Main article: Israel–Saudi Arabia relations

In 2005, Saudi Arabia announced the end of its ban on Israeli goods and services, mostly due to its application to the World Trade Organization, where one member country cannot have a total ban on another. However, as of August 2006, the Saudi boycott was not cancelled.[233][234]

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has changed its viewpoint concerning the validity of negotiating with Israel. It calls for Israel's withdrawal from territory occupied in June 1967 in order for peace with the Arab states; then-Crown Prince Abdullah extended a multilateral peace proposal based on withdrawal in 2002. At that time, Israel did not respond to the offer. In 2007 Saudi Arabia again officially supported a resolution of the Arab–Israeli conflict which supported a full right of Palestinian refugees to move to Israel, which generated more official negative reactions from Israeli authorities.

Syria

Main articles: Israel–Syria relations and Iran–Israel proxy conflict

Syria's relations with Israel are very poor, due to the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights and Syria's close ties with the anti-Israel militant group Hezbollah and with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Since 2004, Syria has accepted the import of apples from farmers in the Golan Heights, territory that it claims, through the Quneitra crossing. This was a result of the ongoing Israeli refusal to accept apples from Golan farmers (reportedly due to over-supply), which led to a plea by the farmers to the Syrian government to accept their produce before it became spoiled in order to prevent economic collapse. In 2010, some 10,000 tons of apples grown by Druze farmers in the Golan Heights were sent to Syria.[235]

Tunisia

Main article: Israel–Tunisia relations

Tunisia participated in the Yom Kippur War, sending 1,000–2,000 troops to fight alongside a coalition of Arab countries against Israel.[236] The relations worsened further in the early 2000s when the Second Intifada began, and on 22 October 2000, the state radio of Tunisia declared that President Ben Ali had decided to break all diplomatic ties with Israel following the "violence in the Palestinian-controlled territories".[237] On 21 October, Ben Ali had issued a strong condemnation of "the violation of the holy shrine of Al Quds Al Sharif, the repeated Israeli provocations, the use of weapons against innocent children and defenseless people, and the racist persecution of Arab Palestinian citizens", which "constitute flagrant violations of sanctities and human rights, and a blatant aggression against all human values and practices". On 22 October itself Israel expressed its disappointment at the Tunisian decision to sever relations and to close the Tunisian Interest Office in Tel Aviv and the Israeli Interest Office in Tunis. Expressing "surprise", the Israeli Foreign Ministry said: "It appears that Tunisia has elected to renounce its potential role as a bridge for dialogue between Israel and its neighbours, thereby harming the critical effort to promote regional peace".[238]

Turkey

Main article: Israel–Turkey relations
 
Turkish firefighting plane sent to aid Israel, 2010

Turkey was the first Muslim-majority nation to formally recognize the State of Israel,[204] only one year after the Declaration of the Jewish State (28 March 1949). Israel was a major supplier of arms to Turkey. Military, strategic, and diplomatic cooperation between Turkey and Israel were given high priority by the governments of both countries, which shared concerns with respect to regional instabilities in the Middle East.

Relations have been strained since the turn of the 20th to 21st century as a result of the political decline in Turkey of forces based on the secular Kemalist ideology and the corresponding rise of the Justice and Development Party (AK party) of prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

In February 2006, relations between Turkey and Israel suffered when Turkey hosted a delegation from the Palestinian group Hamas, although on a formal visit to Turkey in 2006, the Israeli then Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni stated that "Bilateral relations [between Turkey and Israel] are excellent. Not only on a leader-to-leader level but also on a people-to-people level".

In January 2009, the Turkish government's condemnation of the 2008–09 Gaza War severely strained relations between the two countries. Erdoğan harshly criticized Israel's conduct in Gaza at the World Economic Forum conference in Davos, Switzerland in early 2009.[239][240]

Relations between the two countries were further strained after the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid.[241] On 2 September 2011, Turkey downgraded ties with Israel to second secretary level and suspended military co-operation between the countries.[242] Turkey demanded an apology from Israel over the flotilla incident, which Israel was interested in providing, but Turkey also demanded Israel end its blockade of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, which Israel has stated is a non-possibility. After some diplomatic activity by U.S. President Barack Obama, Israeli PM Netanyahu did issue an apology over the flotilla events and Israel and Turkey agreed on financial compensation; in return, Turkey dropped its demand that the Gaza Strip blockade end and also removed state support from several lawsuits in Turkey that demanded the arrest and trial of Israeli military and political leaders who were in charge in 2010 during the flotilla incident. Turkey's numerous regional problems, ranging from the coup that ousted the Muslim Brotherhood regime in Egypt in 2013 and the increasingly disruptive effects of its border from the Syrian conflict, were the main reason for this general improvement in relations, as Ankara wanted more stability and allies than it had when Erdogan had initiated his plans years earlier to move Turkey away from the pro-Israel (and generally pro-West and/or pro-EU) camp and improve ties to groups like Hamas and countries like Iran.

The Leviathan gas field in the Eastern Mediterranean is a further source of friction. Israel is planning its exploitation in partnership with Cyprus, a state that Turkey does not recognize because of the Cyprus dispute. However, in 2015, Turkey and Israel began to work on diplomatic relations by holding a secret meeting, and events over the last 2 years have brought Leviathan into position as a project that will help both Ankara and Jerusalem and make Nicoisia into less of a potential problem.

United Arab Emirates

Main article: Israel–United Arab Emirates relations

Following the assassination of Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh in the UAE in 2010, allegedly by Israel, the UAE announced that travelers suspected of being Israeli would not be admitted even if using a foreign passport.[243] Prior to August 13, 2020, UAE had not recognized Israel as a state, and the two countries lacked official diplomatic or economic relations. Prior to the announcement of the 2020 agreement, relations had improved to the extent that Israel opened an office in Abu Dhabi, albeit only as a mission to the International Renewable Energy Agency.[244][245]

Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced a deal to establish diplomatic relations on August 13, 2020.[246] In July 2021, The United Arab Emirates officially opened an embassy in Israel, becoming only the third majority Arab nation to have full diplomatic relations with Israel.[247]

Yemen

Main article: Israel–Yemen relations

Yemen and Israel do not have diplomatic relations, and contacts between the two countries are very tense. People with an Israeli passport or any passport with an Israeli stamp cannot enter Yemen, and Yemen is defined as an "enemy state" by Israeli law.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Israel has diplomatic relations with 42 of the 44 Sub-Saharan African states that are not members of the Arab League, including a number of Muslim-majority states.

Angola

Main article: Angola–Israel relations

Relations between Israel and Angola are based on trade and foreign policy. In 2005, President José Eduardo dos Santos visited Israel. In March 2006, the trade volume between the two countries amounted to $400 million. The Israeli ambassador to Angola is Avraham Benjamin.

Botswana

Main article: Botswana–Israel relations

The two countries established relations in 1993. Neither has a formal consulate or embassy in the other country, but the two governments have cooperated on several development initiatives. Six Israeli-centered diamond companies have operations in Botswana.[248]

Cameroon

Main article: Israel-Cameroon relations

H.E. Mr. Henri Etoundi Essomba, Ambassador of Cameroon to Israel in 2012, serves as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Israel.[249]

Relations were cut off in the wake of the Yom Kippur war, but restored in 1986, and Cameroon and Israel now have many military and political ties, with Israel training and arming Cameroon's rapid reaction forces[250] and Cameroon voting against many anti-Israel resolutions at the UN.[251]

Chad

Main article: Chad–Israel relations

In November 2018, Chadian President Idriss Déby paid a visit to Israel.[252] In January 2019, Prime Minister Netanyahu paid a visit to Chad and both nations re-established diplomatic relations.[253] In February 2023, Chadian President Mahamat Deby visited Israel and opened a Chad embassy in the Ramat Gan town in Israel.[254]

Djibouti

Although Israel does not have diplomatic or official trade relations with Djibouti (a member of the Arab League), following a meeting between officials of both countries in September 1995, plans were then announced to open liaison offices in the respective countries' capitals, prior to the possible establishment of diplomatic relations between the two states.[255] However, such relations did not materialize.

Eritrea

Main article: Eritrea–Israel relations

Eritrea developed relations with Israel shortly after gaining its independence in 1993, despite protests among Arab countries. Israeli-Eritrean relations are close. The president of Eritrea has visited Israel for medical treatment.[256] However, Eritrea condemned Israeli military action during the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict.[257] Israeli-Eritrean ties are complicated by Israel's close ties to Ethiopia.

Eswatini

Israel established diplomatic relations with Eswatini in September 1968,[1] immediately following that country achieving independence from the United Kingdom. Eswatini was one of only three Sub-Saharan African states (the others being Lesotho and Malawi) that continued to maintain full diplomatic relations with Israel in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War in 1973, and has never severed such ties.[258]

Ethiopia

Main article: Ethiopia–Israel relations

In Africa, Ethiopia is Israel's main and closest ally in the continent, due to common political, religious and security interests.[259] However, relations were severed between the years 1973 and 1989. Many towns in Ethiopia are named after biblical Israel settlements, including Ethiopia's third largest city of Nazret (Adama). Israel also provides expertise to Ethiopia on irrigation projects. Thousands of Ethiopian Jews (Beta Israel) live in Israel. In 2012, Israel appointed a Beta Israeli of Ethiopian origin, Beylanesh Zevadia, as ambassador to Ethiopia.[260]

Ghana

Main article: Ghana–Israel relations

Diplomatic relations with Ghana were established immediately following Ghanaian independence in 1957. Agreement on technical cooperation was concluded on 25 May 1962. On 24 May 1968, a trade agreement was concluded. A cultural cooperation agreement was concluded on 1 March 1973.

Relations were broken at the initiative of the government of Ghana on 28 October 1973, following the Yom Kippur war.[261] Improvement in relations followed Israeli attempts to prevent Ghanaian support for the Palestinian Authority, which led to a state visit to Ghana by Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Liberman in September 2009. During that visit, a bilateral agreement for agricultural cooperation was signed.[262][263] Diplomatic relations were restored in September 2011.[264]

Guinea

Diplomatic relations between Israel and the Republic of Guinea were established in 1958, but were strained due to the Cold War, as the Israeli government supported US policy while the government of Guinea took a pro-Soviet line. These relations were broken on 5 June 1967 when war broke out between Israel and Egypt in the Six-Day War. After Israel's support to Guinea during its fight against the Ebola virus,[265] relations between the two states were restored on 20 July 2016.[266]

Kenya

Main article: Israel–Kenya relations

Diplomatic relations were established in December 1963. Israel has an embassy in Nairobi and Kenya has an embassy in Tel Aviv. In 2003, Kenya requested Israel's help in developing a national solar energy program.[267] In 2006, Israel sent an 80-person search-and-rescue team to Kenya to save people trapped in rubble when a multistory building collapsed.[268] Following the 2007 Kenyan presidential election Israel donated medicine to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.[269]

Lesotho

Lesotho was one of only three Sub-Saharan African states (the others being Eswatini and Malawi) that maintained full diplomatic relations with Israel in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War in 1973.[258]

Liberia

 
Liberian President William Tubman with David Ben-Gurion in 1962.
Main article: Israel–Liberia relations

Liberia was one of the United Nations member states to vote in favor of establishing a Jewish state in Palestine in 1947.[270] Israel and Liberia established relations in the late 1950s. The administration of William Tolbert severed ties with the Israeli government in 1973 in response to the Yom Kippur War, but they were re-established in 1983 by Samuel Doe, who succeeded Tolbert via coup.[271][272]

Madagascar

Both countries have a number of bilateral agreements in force.[273]

Malawi

Main article: Israel–Malawi relations

Israel established diplomatic relations with Malawi in July 1964,[1] immediately following that country achieving independence from the United Kingdom. Malawi was one of only three Sub-Saharan African states (the others being Eswatini and Lesotho) that continued to maintain full diplomatic relations with Israel in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War in 1973, and has never severed such ties.[258]

Mauritania

Main article: Israel–Mauritania relations

Mauritania declared war on Israel as a result of the 1967 Six-Day War,[274] following the Arab League's collective decision (although Mauritania was not formally admitted to the League until November 1973).[275] Mautritania did not reverse that declaration until at least 1991.[274]

Mauritania did not abide by moves to recognise Israel's right to exist in the same way as most other Arab countries later did, staying true to the 1967 Khartoum Resolution which, in reference to Israel, stated “no peace, no recognition, no negotiable.”

Little public information exists, and an account of Israeli-Mauritanian relations must be inferred from a number of indirect known factors, such as: behind the scenes meetings between Mauritania and Israel in 1995 and 1996, said to be at the instigation of Mauritania's President Ould Taya;[276] the establishment of unofficial "interest sections" in the respective Spanish embassies in 1996 in the two capital cities,[276] leading to the exchange of diplomatic representatives in each other's countries from 27 October 1999.[277] It is inferred from this evidence that Mauritania had reversed its declaration by then.

On 6 March 2009, the Israeli diplomatic delegation to Mauritania left after nine years of diplomatic ties, following a demand from the Mauritanian authorities to close the Israeli embassy in Nouakchott within 48 hours.[278] The Mauritanian delegation to Israel left earlier without sending official notice to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[279]

Mauritius

Both countries have signed many bilateral agreements.[273]

Namibia

Main article: Israel–Namibia relations

Niger

Main article: Israel–Niger relations

Nigeria

Main article: Israel–Nigeria relations

Israel and Nigeria established diplomatic relations in 1960.[280] In 1973, Nigeria broke off contacts with Israel, but in May 1992, bilateral relations were restored.[1] Since April 1993, Israel has maintained an embassy in Abuja, and Nigeria has maintained an embassy in Tel Aviv.[1] Many Nigerians go on religious pilgrimage to Israel.[281]

Rwanda

Relations with Rwanda were established soon following independence of the African state. They were broken by the government of Rwanda on 8 October 1973, during the Yom Kippur war.[282]

In January 2019, transportation ministers of Israel and Rwanda announced plans to inaugurate regular Air Rwanda flights to Israel.[283] Then, in April 2019, Israel opened an embassy in Kigali.[284]

Senegal

Relations with Senegal were established soon following independence of the African state. They were broken by the government of Senegal on 28 October 1973, following the Yom Kippur war.[261] Israel and Senegal on June 4, 2017, announced the resumption of full diplomatic relations, which had been frozen after Senegal cosponsored a UN Security Council against Israeli settlements.[285] Israel returned its ambassador to Senegal, and Senegal backed Israel's candidacy for observer status at the African Union. In a trilateral partnership between Israel, Italy and Senegal, Israeli drip irrigation systems are being installed to help farmers in 12 districts of rural Senegal.[286]

South Africa

Main article: Israel–South Africa relations
 
Danny Ayalon with South African Foreign Affairs DG Matjila

The Union of South Africa was one of only four Commonwealth nations to vote in favour of the 1947 UN partition resolution, which led to the establishment of the State of Israel. South Africa was one of the first states to recognize Israel; diplomatic relations between Israel and South Africa were established in 1948. After the Sharpeville massacre of 1960, Israel became a harsh critic of apartheid, leading to a break in its relations with Pretoria. After 1967, Israel and South Africa became strategic partners again, and this lasted until 1987 when Israel joined the West in forcefully opposing apartheid.

Since the end of apartheid, South Africa's new government has been cold toward Israel and critical of Israel's policies towards Palestinians but has nevertheless ignored calls from pro-Palestinian South African groups to sever relations between the two countries.

As a result of the Israel–Hamas war, the African National Congress passed a motion calling on the government to close its embassy in Tel Aviv in November 2023.[287] The South African governmental cabinet also called on the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and recalled the country's ambassador to Israel and withdrew all the country's diplomatic staff from Israel.[288]

South Sudan

Main article: Israel–South Sudan relations

Israel recognized the Republic of South Sudan on 10 July 2011, and offered the new state economic help, following its declaration of independence the previous day from the mainly Arab Muslim north Sudan.[289] On 15 July 2011, South Sudan declared its intention to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel[290] and, on 28 July 2011, it was announced that full diplomatic ties had been established between the two countries.[291]

Sudan

Main article: Israel-Sudan relations

On 23 October 2020, Sudan agreed to normalise relations with Israel in return for the Trump Administration removing Sudan from the United States' list of state sponsors of terrorism, unblocking economic aid and investment in Sudan.[292][293]

Togo

In May 2009, Israel and Togo signed a "pact for cooperation in the economic, agricultural and educational fields" with each other.[294]

Uganda

Main article: Israel–Uganda relations

In a joint Israeli-Ugandan project, a professor from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Faculty of Agriculture conducted a survey of Lake Victoria with a Ugandan colleague from Makerere University. They found that Nile perch, introduced by the British sixty years ago, have decimated native fish populations, leading to malnutrition in the lakeside communities.[295] She helped to set up artificial fish ponds to raise carp, which had disappeared from the local diet. The United States Agency for International Development sponsored the digging of the ponds and sent villagers to Kibbutz HaMa'apil in Emek Hefer to learn spawning techniques. Graduates of the training program established carp farms.[295]

Zambia

Both countries have a number of bilateral agreements in force.[273]

Zimbabwe

Main article: Israel–Zimbabwe relations

Abel Muzorewa, the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Rhodesia, visited Israel on 21 October 1983. He urged Robert Mugabe to establish diplomatic relations, saying his political policies hurt Zimbabwe's agriculture and technology industries. In March 2002 an Israeli company sold riot control vehicles to the Mugabe government, shortly before the nation's 2002 elections.[296]

Asia

In addition to Turkey and Azerbaijan, Israel has diplomatic relations with 5 non-Arab Muslim states in Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan).

Afghanistan

Main article: Afghanistan–Israel relations

Afghanistan, currently, has no relations with Israel. The Monarchy of Afghanistan did have spiritual relations with Israel, whether in secret or Tribal rules in place. The Afghan Royal Family trace their origins to King Saul of Israel. Afghanistan was the only Muslim country that did not revoke citizenship when Jews, also known as descendants of Judah, migrated to Israel. Rabbi Eliyahu Avichail has published numerous books linking the Afghans to the Lost Tribes of Israel.

Bangladesh

Main article: Bangladesh–Israel relations

Both the Israeli government and general public supported the Bangladesh Liberation War. After the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, Israel offered to recognise the new born country in as early as 1972 but Bangladesh immediately rejected the offer.[297][298]

Bangladesh does not recognize Israel as legitimate and officially forbids its citizens to travel to Israel by putting 'Valid for travel to all countries except Israel' on Bangladeshi passports. Bangladesh supports a sovereign Palestinian state and an end to Israel's "illegal occupation of Palestine".[299]

Cambodia

Main article: Cambodia–Israel relations

Israel established diplomatic ties with Cambodia in 1960. Ties were cut in 1975 due to the rise of the Khmer Rouge. The ties were restored in 1993. Israel has no embassy in Cambodia and Cambodia has no embassy in Israel. Instead, the Israeli embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, is accredited to Cambodia. Cambodian students study agriculture in Israel.

China

Main article: China–Israel relations
 
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Liu Landung on a visit to Israel

On 9 January 1950, the Israeli government extended recognition to the People's Republic of China, but diplomatic relations were not established until January 1992.

Since 1992, Israel and China have developed increasingly close strategic economic, military, cultural and technological links with each other.[300][301][302][303] Israel maintains an embassy in Beijing and is planning to open a new consulate in Chengdu, its third in Mainland China.[304] China is Israel's third largest trading partner globally and largest trading partner in East Asia.[305][306] Trade volume increased from $50 million in 1992 to over $10 billion in 2013.[307] Shared commonalities and similarities between the cultures and values of the two nations with ancient roots dating back thousands of years as well as convergence of interests have made the two countries natural partners.[308][309][8][310][303][311][312] In addition, China is one of the few countries in the world to concurrently maintain warm relations with Israel, the Palestinians, and the Muslim world at large.[7]

China's status as a potential world power has prompted Israel to maintain closer ties with China by integrating China's global influence with Israel's pragmatic economic management, political stability and its regional strategic importance in the Middle East.[8][9][10][308][309] Beijing has appreciated Israel's political stability and diplomatic ingenuity and sees the Jewish state as one of the regional pillars for securing China's influence in the Middle East and the entire world.[10]

China and Israel have developed close strategic military links with each other. Bilateral military relations have evolved from an initial Chinese policy of secret non-official ties to a close strategic partnership with the modern and militarily powerful Israel.[303] Israel and China began extensive military cooperation as early as the 1980s, even though no formal diplomatic relations existed.[313][314][315] Israel has provided China with military assistance, expertise and technology. According to a report from the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission, "Israel ranks second only to Russia as a weapons system provider to China and as a conduit for sophisticated cutting-edge military technology, followed by France and Germany." Israel was ready to sell China the Phalcon, an Israeli airborne early-warning radar system (AWACS), until the United States forced it to cancel the deal.[316][317] Some estimate that Israel sold arms worth US$4 billion to China in this period.[313][314] China has looked to Israel for the arms and military technology it cannot acquire from the United States and Russia.[9] Israel is now China's second-largest foreign supplier of arms after Russia. China has purchased a wide array of military equipment and technology, including communications satellites.[313] China is a vital market for Israel's aerospace and defense industry.[313] Due to Israel's recognition of China, Israel has also limited its cooperation with Taiwan in order to foster closer ties with Mainland China.[313]

 
Benjamin Netanyahu and Matan Vilnai on a 2013 bilateral visit in China.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, cultural exchange has been a major component of bilateral relations, as both sides recognize the importance of creating a strong foundation based on their ancient and rich histories.[318] China's receptive and friendly embrace of the Jewish people on its soil has been one of affectionate sympathy as the Chinese have developed a favorable view of Jews, admiring them for their contributions to humanity, their ability to survive, the sharing of Chinese values such as family, frugality, hard work and education, and being products of ancient civilizations have been an impetus towards the long and enduring friendship between the Chinese and Jewish peoples.[319][309][308] Shared affinities and similar cultural commonalities has not only been an impetus for the close bonds between China and Israel but has also created a symbol of brotherhood between the two communities.[308][320]

Though Israel established diplomatic relations with China in 1992, the ties between the Chinese and Jewish people remain centuries old in addition to Israel and China being products of ancient civilizations dating back thousands of years.[319][321] The cultural similarities between the Chinese and Jewish civilizations with both nations originating thousands of years ago have drawn the two countries closer together making the two countries natural partners in the international community. Chinese Jews have been a major impetus in maintaining the strong nexus between the Chinese and Jewish civilizations.[322][8][308] Jews remain a small minority in China, but unlike many parts of the world, Jews have historically lived in China without any instances of antisemitism from the Han majority populace contributing to mutual respect and admiration between the two peoples.[319][309][323][324] With the intrinsic affinity that the Chinese people feel for the Jews, relations between the two communities have been mutually close, harmonious and friendly, due to shared common cultural similarities between the two peoples resulted Jews enjoying equal rights and coexisting peacefully alongside the mainstream Han Chinese populace with instances of Jews assimilating into the Han Chinese community through intermarriage.[309][325][326][327][328][329][322][330][8] On a geopolitical scale, China has sought to maintain close relations with the Jewish state as Israel's regional importance, stability and influence in an otherwise volatile region has been an important asset for the expansion of China's influence in the Middle East and the entire world.[10] Shared commonalities and similarities between the cultures and values of the two nations, ancient roots as well as convergence of interests have driven the two countries closer with respect to scientific, economic, diplomatic and cultural ties.[308][309][331][312]

China is one of Israel's closest economic allies in East Asia where both countries have placed considerable importance on maintaining a strategic and economic relationship.[300][332][303][333] The economic synergy has served the two respective countries greatly where Israel's global technological prowess combined with China's global economic influence, industrial manufacturing capabilities, and marketing expertise made cooperation between the two nations inevitable.[308] China including Hong Kong is Israel's second top export destination after the United States and has been the top market for Israeli exports in East Asia.[308][334][335] China is also Israel's third largest trading partner and export market after the United States and the European Union with China being Israel's largest export market in East Asia.[308][336] Israel has sought China's enormous global influence on world affairs, large consumer market, broad industrial manufacturing scale, and burgeoning economic dynamism while China has sought Israel as a powerhouse of advanced technological wizardry and a wellspring of entrepreneurial acumen leveraging each other's complementary capabilities and resources.[308][309][337][335][338] China has sought Israel's technology to increase its international economic competitiveness and risk management. With the advice and experience of Jewish entrepreneurs, innovators, and inventors from the high-technology sectors, China has utilized Israel's indispensable economic and technological contributions to foster its long-term economic development.[339] China has also expressed desire for Israel's advanced technologies, particularly in fields related to agriculture, telecommunications, and defense.[308] The scientific and technological advancements made by Israel have led many Chinese politicians to respect the country's ingenuity and creative inventiveness because they know of the contributions Israel has made to its economy. Israeli agricultural techniques, most notably drip irrigation, and solar energy technologies are seen as crucial to China's economic development.[8][339][340] Throughout Israel's early economic history, many Israeli startup companies were acquired by major U.S. and Western European corporations. Since the 2010s, China and Israel enhanced bilateral economic ties with China connecting both Chinese and Israeli businessmen and investors to invest in each other's economies respectively. Chinese economic cooperation with Israel has seen substantial Chinese investment of more than US$15 billion in the Israeli economy, spawning seed capital in Israeli startup companies, as well as the acquisition of Israeli companies by major Chinese corporations that incorporate Israel's know how to help the invigorate the development of the modern Chinese economy more efficiently. China now ranks second after the United States in collaboration with Israeli high-tech firms that are backed by Israel's Office of the Chief Scientist.[341] Major Chinese firms such as Fosun, ChemChina, Brightfood, Horizons Ventures and China Everbright have invested significant amounts of financial capital and resources across numerous Israeli industries.[342] Chinese businessmen and major Chinese corporations hold Israel's business, economic and entrepreneurial acumen and technological expertise with high esteem and have sought to integrate Israel's know-how with China's marketing proficiency, industrial manufacturing capacity and aptitude for large consumer market scaling.[343][342][344]

Hong Kong

Main article: Israel-Hong Kong relations

Israel and Hong Kong have full diplomatic ties as part of Israel's diplomatic ties with China. Israel has a consulate in the city, while Hong Kong is represented in Israel by the Chinese embassy in Tel Aviv.

India

Main article: India–Israel relations
 
Indian and Israeli flags in New Delhi during Ariel Sharon's visit, September 2003.

India established diplomatic relations with the State of Israel in 1992 and has since become Israel's strongest ally in Asia.[345] The two countries cooperate in anti-terrorist activities in the Middle East and Southern Asia. Israel is India's second largest arms provider and India is Israel's principal arms market, and the trade volume between the two countries has increased significantly in the past few years.[346] Co-operation has taken place in the space sector as well with India launching Israeli satellites. India became the top source market for Israel from Asia in 2010 with 41,000 tourist arrivals in that year.[347]

Israel and India share intelligence on terrorist groups. They have developed close defense and security ties since establishing diplomatic relations in 1991. In 2009, Israel overtook Russia as India's biggest arms supplier; the U.S. even gave Israel approval to sell the Phalcon to India after earlier forcing Jerusalem to cancel a similar deal with China. India has bought more than $5 billion worth of Israeli equipment since 2002. In addition, Israel is training Indian military units and discussing an arrangement to give Indian commandos instruction in counter-terrorist tactics and urban warfare.[348] In December 2008, Israel and India signed a memorandum to set up an Indo-Israel Legal Colloquium to facilitate discussions and exchange programs between judges and jurists of the two countries. According to an international opinion survey conducted in 2009 on behalf of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, India is the most pro-Israel country in the world.[349][350]

India-Israel relationship has been very close and warm under the premiership of Narendra Modi since 2014. In 2017, he was the first ever Prime Minister of India to visit Israel.[351][352] India was the largest arms customer of Israel in 2017. Defence relations between the two countries are longstanding.[353]

Indonesia

Main article: Indonesia–Israel relations
 
Indonesia purchased over 30 Douglas A-4 Skyhawks from Israel in the early 1980s, despite no recognition or diplomatic relations.[354]

In 2012, Indonesia agreed to informally upgrade its relations with Israel and to open a consulate in Ramallah, headed by a diplomat with the rank of ambassador, who will also unofficially serve as his country's ambassador for contacts with Israel. The move, which was agreed upon after five years of sensitive deliberations, represents a de facto upgrading of relations between Israel and the world's most populous Muslim country. Indonesia has formally presented the move to open a West Bank consulate as a demonstration of its support for Palestinian independence. In fact, while the ambassador-ranked diplomat will be accredited to the Palestinian Authority/PLO, a significant portion of his work will be in dealings with Israel, and the office will fulfill substantial diplomatic duties as well as consular responsibilities. Israel and Indonesia quietly maintain trade, security and other relations. Israelis can get visas for Bali in Singapore, while many Indonesians come to Israel as pilgrims.[355]

Japan

 
The Museum of Japanese Art, Israel
Main article: Israel–Japan relations

On 15 May 1952, diplomatic relations were established with Japan at a Legation level. However, the Japanese government refrained from appointing a Minister Plenipotentiary to Israel until 1955. Relations between the two states were distant at first, but after 1958, no break occurred, despite the Arab oil embargo on several countries, including Japan.

Kazakhstan

Main article: Israel–Kazakhstan relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 April 1992. The embassy of Israel in Kazakhstan opened in August 1992. The embassy of Kazakhstan in Israel opened in May 1996. Israel has an embassy in Astana and Kazakhstan maintains an embassy in Tel Aviv.

Malaysia

Main article: Israel–Malaysia relations

Israel and Malaysia do not maintain diplomatic relations and Malaysian passports do not allow entry into Israel. However, Malaysia and Israel has been engaged in trade relations; in 2011 Israel exported goods to Malaysia worth $716.4 million and imported goods worth $93.6 million.[356] A report compiled by the European Commission indicated that in 2010 Malaysia ranked 15th among Israel's major trade partners, accounting for 0.8% (€667.6 million) of Israel's trade in that year.[357]

Maldives

Main article: Israel–Maldives relations

The Maldives established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1965 and severed them in 1974.[192]

In 2009, under president Mohamed Nasheed, the Maldives signed cooperation agreements with Israel on tourism, health, and education and culture.[358] In 2010, the Israeli government sent a team of eye doctors to treat patients and train local medical personnel in the Maldives.[359] However, the renewed relationship did not develop into full diplomatic relations.[359][360]

In July 2014, under president Abdulla Yameen, the Maldives terminated the cooperation agreements with Israel and announced a boycott of Israeli products, as Israel launched a military operation in Gaza. Foreign minister Dunya Maumoon also announced that the Maldives would fully support Palestinians at international forums such as the United Nations Human Rights Council and offer them humanitarian aid.[361]

Mongolia

In October 1991 the official relationship of Mongolia and Israel began. Ariel Sharon visited in Mongolia in 2001, when he was minister in the Likud government. Israelis wishing to enter Mongolia are exempt from arming a visa in advance. The Mongolian immigration authorities tend to provide visitors to the country a 30 days visa on their arrival. One can extend the visa fee and the extension is at the discretion of the authorities.

An academic delegation from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem visited the Mongolian National University in August 2010. During the visit, an agreement was signed for cooperation between universities. In 2012, the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon visited and signed an agreement with the Mongolian Minister of Education which included collaboration between universities and institutions of higher education, in which Mongolians will learn about Israel and the Holocaust and Israel will learn about the heritage and history of Mongolia. It was also agreed on expanding ties between the two countries and embassies.

Myanmar

Main article: Israel–Myanmar relations
 
U Nu and Moshe Dayan in 1955.

Myanmar (also known as Burma) was one of the first countries to recognize Israel and establish diplomatic relations with Israel. Myanmar has also become one of Israel's strongest allies in the region, in terms of both technical assistance and also the much debated and rumored military links. Premiers from both sides such as U Nu and David Ben-Gurion made state visits to each other's countries in the 1950s.[362][363] Myanmar sends agriculture researchers to Israel for training. This was further cemented in Israel's aid assistance during the Cyclone Nargis disaster of May 2008.

Nepal

Main article: Israel–Nepal relations
 
Abba Eban and the King of Nepal at Weizmann Institute, 1958

Israel–Nepal relations, first established in 1960, are based on mutual security concerns.[364] Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala, Prime Minister of Nepal from 1959 to 1960, had a strongly pro-Israel foreign policy. King Mahendra visited Israel in 1963 and maintained Koirala's special relationship. Until the 1990s Nepal was the only South Asian country to have diplomatic ties with Israel.[365]

Nepal is one of the few Asian countries to have consistently supported Israel at international forums and at the UN. Nepal has maintained diplomatic relations and continues to support the right of Israel to exist within secure and internationally recognized boundaries. Nepal voted in favour of Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), which upheld the right of all the states in the region to live in peace. Nepal has also welcomed every initiative from whatever quarter that seeks to resolve the Middle East problems like the Camp David Accord signed between Egypt and Israel in 1978 and the renewed peace process sponsored time to time by countries like the USA.

After the 2015 Nepal earthquake, Israel was one of the first to send aid to Nepal. Israel sent a delegation of 264 people for Search & Rescue missions, and over 95 tons of equipment, including a field hospital. It is estimated that about 12,000 Nepalese foreign workers are residing in Israel, most of whom are women working as caregivers.

North Korea

Main article: Israel–North Korea relations

North Korea does not recognise the state of Israel, denouncing it as an "imperialist satellite".[188]

Pakistan

Main article: Israel–Pakistan relations
 
A Pakistani passport not valid for travel to Israel.

Israel and Pakistan do not have diplomatic relations with each other, and Pakistani passports say 'This passport is valid for all countries of the World except Israel'. Israeli authorities told a traveller that Pakistanis could apply for a visa, and that they would issue a paper visa and put the entry and exit stamps on it.[366] Some Israeli leaders have expressed the belief that should diplomatic relations with Pakistan be established, then Pakistan could serve as a bridge between Israel and the Muslim world.[367] In 2008, the Israeli Foreign minister stated that "Israel considers Pakistan as its biggest strategic threat" in light of concern over the increasing Taliban threat in Pakistan.[368]

In the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks in India, there was an attack on the Nariman House Jewish community centre. Six people (among them four Israeli citizens), including a Jewish rabbi and his pregnant wife, were killed with some of them being tortured before being killed. The Islamic terrorists had illegally come from Pakistan, reportedly on the instructions of Pakistan Army's Inter Services Intelligence[369]

Philippines

Main article: Israel–Philippines relations

On 29 November 1947, the Philippines (a U.S. territory until 1946) was the only Southeast Asian nation at the time to support the partition resolution at the United Nations General Assembly recommending a Jewish State in Palestine.[370] Israel and the Philippines established full diplomatic relationships in 1957. Embassies were opened in Tel Aviv and Manila in 1962. The two countries have enjoyed warm relations in all spheres. In 1997, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) institutionalizing the bilateral political dialogue between the respective foreign ministries. The political dialog is accompanied by cooperation in trade and economy, culture, technical assistance, science, academic exchanges, tourism etc. There are between 37,155 and 50,000 Filipino workers in Israel as of 2004.[371][372]

Singapore

Main article: Israel–Singapore relations

Singapore and Israel have maintained strong and mutually beneficial bilateral relations that are characterized by a close and amiable bond and amicable rapport, where the two nations have consistently cultivated a closely-knit and cordial relationship ever since their respective establishments. This is in part due to both countries' perception of themselves as diminutive yet affluent sovereign states and regional economic powerhouses surrounded by neighboring Islamic countries characterized by their comparatively underdeveloped societies, political instabilities, and economic struggles that have remained hostile to their continued existence in which oftentimes they have an uneasy relationship with.[373][374] Following Singapore's sudden and unexpected independence after being unilaterally ejected from Malaysia in 1963, Singapore appealed to the international community for technical assistance and military aid. Israel responded by assisting the Southeast Asian city-state with the establishment of Singapore's armed forces.[375] Both countries formally established diplomatic relations in May 1969, although unofficial and discrete relations were already established several years prior, particularly with regards to military activities. Singapore and Israel are also known to share a special relationship where they both enjoy an extensive bilateral security partnership, with Israeli and Singaporean arms contractors such as Israel Aerospace Industries and ST Engineering collaborating and engaging in joint venture developments and facilitating a large level of arms trade between the two countries.[376][377] Over the years, Israel has continued to advise Singapore on an array of military affairs, ranging from night operations to aviation psychology. The defense and intelligence establishments of both countries conduct routine exchanges of information, and a small number of Israeli Defense Force officers serve in staff appointments within the Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).[378] In 2012, it was reported that Singapore expressed interest in purchasing several Iron Dome defence system units and a deal took place in 2016.[379]

In other areas within the purview of Singaporean-Israeli relations, both countries have also enjoyed extensive economic ties through an engagement in a high volume of trade, rooted with an emphasis on high-technology and research and development in the spheres of bio-technology and defense. Israel's national airline El Al does not fly to Singapore as Singapore is located in the region of Maritime Southeast Asia, where the Islamic nations of Indonesia and Malaysia do not recognise Israel as a sovereign state which makes attaining flight rights impossible. Despite these diplomatic impediments, Israel has continuously maintained its diplomatic presence in Singapore since its early years of statehood, and officially formalized this representation in 1968. Singapore also acts a regional hub for numerous Israeli companies operating within the city-state, while a growing number of members from both business communities have continued seek opportunities to establish joint ventures in biotechnology, information technology, and computer software. Several bilateral agreements provide a solid framework for cooperation in areas such as health care, defense contracting, as well as high-technological research & development. In 1997, a bi-national fund for financing new technological products was set up, which signified more deepened bilateral relations between both countries. Cultural exchanges have been accentuated by encouraging the participation of Israeli artists participating in international art events in Singapore, cultivating a broad interest in Israeli performing arts among the Singaporean populace. The yearly Israeli Film Festival in Singapore has grown to become a cornerstone in the structured framework of such cultural exchanges that been undertaken between the two nations.[380]

South Korea

Main article: Israel–South Korea relations

The Republic of Korea and the State of Israel established diplomatic relations on 10 April 1962.[381][382] Israel opened its embassy in Seoul in April 1968, which was closed by the Israeli government in 1978. The embassy was reopened in January 1992, with Korea opening its resident embassy in Tel Aviv in December 1993.[381]

On 23 August 2010, Korea Venture Investment Corp. (KVIC), a South Korean state-backed fund and investment management company, signed a memorandum of understanding with Israel's Vertex Venture Capital (VVC) to raise a US$150 million fund, which will be used to finance joint ventures or the merger and acquisition of small and medium-size venture capital firms between the two countries.[383]

The two countries signed a free trade agreement in May 2021, making South Korea the first East Asian country to forge a free trade deal with Israel.[384]

Sri Lanka

Main article: Israel–Sri Lanka relations

Israel was a source of weapons and training for the Sri Lanka Armed Forces during the war against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam terrorist organization and weapons sold to the country, including IAI Kfir Fighter Jet, the Saar 4 class missile boats, Super Dvora Mk II-class patrol boat and the Gabriel missile.[385] In May 2011, the Israeli Minister of Agriculture visited Sri Lanka with an agro-business delegation to promote cooperation between the two countries.[386]

Thailand

Main article: Israel–Thailand relations

Thailand and Israel have had full diplomatic relations since 23 June 1954. The Israeli embassy was opened in 1958 although the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv only opened in 1996. Since the beginning, both countries have enjoyed strong ties and beneficial bilateral cooperation in many fields, most notably in agriculture and education. Thousands of Thai academics have been sent to train in Israel while many Thai schools have been modeled after Israel's experience and know-how with aid from Mashav. State visits by Thai royalty to Israel have been reciprocated by Israel's public figures. 100,000 Israeli tourists visit Thailand annually.[387] Thousands of skilled and unskilled Thai workers are employed in Israel and many Thai students study in Israel.

There is also a Thai-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Thai-Israel Friendship Foundation as well as a small community of Israelis living in Thailand.[388][better source needed]

Turkmenistan

In 2013, the Israel Foreign Ministry opened a new embassy in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.[389][390]

Vietnam

Main article: Israel–Vietnam relations

Vietnam and Israel established diplomatic relations on 12 July 1993. Israel opened its resident embassy in Hanoi in December 1993.[391] The first Vietnamese ambassador to Israel presented his credentials on 8 July 2009.[392] Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have frequently conducted reciprocal visits at various levels, and have strengthened ties in such fields as business, education, culture, technological cooperation and agriculture. The visits arranged by the Israeli government included those of delegations comprising entrepreneurs and businessmen, academic groups, journalists, artists and musicians, legal workers, and so on.[393]

Europe

See also: Israel–European Union relations

Albania

Main article: Albania–Israel relations

Israel and Albania established diplomatic relations on 20 August 1991. Albania had previously recognized Israel as a state since 1949.[394] Albania has an embassy in Tel Aviv and Israel also has an embassy in Tirana.

Armenia

Main article: Armenia–Israel relations

Since independence, Armenia has received support from Israel and today remains one of its major trade partners. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 April 1992. Israel maintains a consulate in Yerevan, while Armenia has an embassy in Tel-Aviv and an honorary consulate in Jerusalem.[395][396] Israel has recognized 10 Armenians as Righteous Among the Nations for risking their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.[397]

Austria

Main article: Austria–Israel relations

Austria recognized Israel on 5 March 1949. Austria has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 3 honorary consulates (in Eilat, Haifa and Jerusalem).[398] Israel has an embassy in Vienna.[399] Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean. The Austrian Foreign Ministry lists the bilateral treaties with Israel.[400]

Azerbaijan

Main article: Azerbaijan–Israel relations

Azerbaijani–Israeli relations are good, and Israel has an embassy in Baku. In May 1999, the U.S.-Azerbaijan Council sponsored a seminar to discuss relations among Azeris, Jews, and Israel. In April 2000, an Israeli trade delegation visited Baku to discuss ways of strengthening bilateral economic relations.

The Azerbaijan–Israel Friendship Society facilitates and promotes bilateral diplomatic and business links. In October 2001, President Aliyev pledged to open an embassy in Israel and send his Foreign Minister to visit the country. Although neither has occurred, Azerbaijani–Israeli strategic cooperation continues to grow.

For many years, Azerbaijan has maintained high rates of immigration to Israel due to the economic and political situation in the country. In 2002, 475 Jews made aliyah and 111 immigrated to the United States. The Azeri government gets regular updates from Israel regarding Azeri Jews in Israel, who are plagued by unemployment, crime, and other social issues as new immigrants in Israel.[401][better source needed]

Belarus

Main article: Belarus–Israel relations

Israel established relations with Belarus in 1992 and continue to maintain friendly relations. In April 2000, Belarus and Israel signed an agreement on trade, science, culture, and education. The two countries also formed a joint committee to improve relations between the two nations. Belarus has an embassy in Tel Aviv and Israel has an embassy in Minsk.[402][403] The two countries have also discussed implementing a visa-free regime between the two countries. Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei continues to satisfied with the relations between the two countries and also expressed hope for new opportunities to facilitate further all-round cooperation with Israel in conjunction with fostering progressive development with the Jewish state. Both nations celebrated its 20th anniversary in December 2012. Bilateral cooperation has since then encapsulated tourism, culture, trade, economy, science, education and other fields.[404] In 2013, Belarusian Vice Premier Mikhail Rusyi met top Israeli officials from the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry, the State Committee for Science and Technology, Belarusbank and the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee to further facilitate economic cooperation as well as development of innovative technologies into the Belarusian agricultural sector.[405][406][407]

Belgium

Main article: Belgium–Israel relations

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Israel and Bosnia and Herzegovina established diplomatic relations in 1997.[408]

Bulgaria

Israel and Bulgaria have strong ties. Bulgaria saved the majority of its Jews during World War II — 48,000 were rescued, 11,343 were deported.[409][410] Israel and Bulgaria established diplomatic relations in 1948. After the Six-Day War Bulgaria cut diplomatic ties with Israel. In 1988, Bulgaria joined the wave of first nations to recognise the State of Palestine, something it has never withdrawn. In 1990 diplomatic relations were renewed. Bulgaria has an embassy in Tel Aviv and Israel has an embassy in Sofia and honorary consul in Varna.[411]

The cooperation has been consolidated by unexpected actions of goodwill from both nations. In the summer 2010 Bulgaria dispatched 90 firefighters to Israel to join the efforts to put out a massive wild-fire that raged outside of Haifa. In the summer of 2012, Israel sent two 'Air Tractor' planes to Bulgaria to help that nation fight a wild-fire in the Vitosha Mountains near Sofia further signifying notions of repayment and as well as the strengthening of relations between the two countries. On 7 July 2011, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borissov and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed a declaration pledging closer cooperation between the two countries and the governments between the two countries would result in a wide range of areas that include foreign affairs, national security and emergency preparedness, tourism, energy, and agriculture. Israel also took note of Bulgaria's prompt on international cooperation between the two countries to preserve memory, learning, and research on the Holocaust, combating xenophobia and antisemitism.[412][better source needed]

In January 2012, Israel and Bulgaria signed two additional memorandum of understanding, which the purpose where one was for joint military training exercises and one for cooperation in the defence sector. The two agreements were signed by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Bulgarian Defense Minister Anyu Angelov. Minister Angelov said the two agreements, in addition to their economic and defense benefits, also "bring a political message – Bulgaria and Israel are a step closer towards stronger cooperation and a strategic dialogue." After the 2012 Burga bus bombing, Bulgaria and Israel pledged to increase security relations between the two countries discussing various aspects of bilateral cooperation at a meeting at the Ministry of Interior between Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Tsvetlin Iochev and Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister, Avigdor Leiberman in November 2013. An international investigation led by Bulgaria has established was the work of people linked with the bombing to the military wing of Hezbollah where five Israeli tourists and a Bulgarian citizen died.[413][414]

The governments of both countries also intend to cooperate in the high-tech sector, the communications sector, health care and agriculture and to continue the positive development of tourism between the two countries and energy resource divestment. Israel also intends to join with Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece and Romania to launch a regional group for crisis response which will boost the partnership between these countries in cases of common security challenges as result of a March 2014 meeting between Avigdor Lieberman and Bulgarian Interior Minister Tsvetlin Yovchev.[415]

Croatia

Main article: Croatia–Israel relations
 
Croatian president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović with Israeli president Reuven Rivlin, July 2015

While Croatia was part of the Yugoslavia Federation (1943–1991) it established diplomatic relations with Israel in year 1948 through the Federation, but after Israel attacked Yugoslavia's Non-Aligned Movement ally Egypt in the Six-Day War in 1967, Yugoslavia severed all diplomatic relations with Israel. After the breakup of Yugoslavia occurred as a result of a series of political upheavals and conflicts Croatia declared independence on 8 October 1991 and officially renewed its bilateral relations with Israel which recognized Croatia as an independent state on 16 April 1992, but due to some disagreements with the Croatian President Tuđman full diplomatic relations were established 5 years later, on 4 September 1997. Since then relations between Croatia and Israel have been excellent. Croatia has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 4 honorary consulates (in Ashdod, Caesarea, Jerusalem and Kfar Shmaryahu). Israel has an embassy in Zagreb. In addition, Croatia does not recognize the State of Palestine.

Cyprus

Main article: Cyprus–Israel relations
 
Chief Rabbi of Cyprus, Arie Zeev Raskin meets the Cypriot President, Demetris Christofias.

Israel has had diplomatic relations with Cyprus since Israel's independence in 1948, when Cyprus was a British protectorate. Israel and Cyprus' associations have continued to expand since 1960, the year of Cyprus' independence. The neighboring countries trade regularly and there are high flows of tourism between them. However, Cypriot politicians have frequently spoken out against Israeli military raids in the Palestinian territories as well as the 2006 Lebanon War, during which Cyprus was forced to manage a heavy flow of refugees and aid out of and into Lebanon.[416][better source needed]

However, the discovery of natural gas in the Leviathan gas field led to a thawing of relations between the two governments. The two countries demarcated their Exclusive Economic Zones in 2010. Israel's rising antagonism with Turkey further increased the level of cooperation between the two countries, as Israel compensated by improving its relations elsewhere. In February 2012, Netanyahu visited Cyprus, the first visit of an Israeli Prime Minister in history.[417] The collaboration between Cyprus, Israel and Greece on natural gas extraction has been characterised by the media as the Energy Triangle.

Cyprus serves an important role as the place where most Israeli couples obtain civil marriages, because Cyprus is the closest country on good diplomatic terms with Israel that issues civil marriages. Israel does not issue civil marriages, only religious ones, with religious restrictions on the eligibility of marriage, and a recent law allows civil marriages in Israel under one condition: both individuals are non-Jewish residents of the state. Israel does however recognize civil marriages issued abroad, with Cyprus being the largest source of easy civil marriage licenses.

Relations between Israel and Cyprus are based on mutual respect for Western values, the support for free-market economy and the establishment of democracies in the Middle East that would co-exist peacefully.[418]

Czech Republic

Main article: Czech Republic–Israel relations

Israel and the Czech Republic share a special relationship. Czechoslovakia was the only country to send aid to Israel in its early years e.g. arms shipments from Czechoslovakia to Israel 1947–1949.

In December 2008, the Czech Air Force wanted to train in desert conditions for the upcoming mission in Afghanistan. No country agreed to help, except Israel. Israel saw it as an opportunity to thank the Czechs for training Israeli pilots when the country was first established.[419]

Denmark

Main article: Denmark–Israel relations

The relations between Denmark and Israel have been friendly and warm. Denmark voted for the partition of Palestine in 1947 and supports Israel in the United Nations. Denmark was one of few countries in Europe to save most of its Jewish population during the WWII. In Jerusalem, there is a monument to the rescue of Danish Jews, a school is named in Denmark's honor, and the King Christian X hospital in Eitanim is named after Denmark's king during World War II. Denmark has an embassy in Israel, and Israel has an embassy in Copenhagen.

The political lives of the two states have been somewhat intertwined: The former Israeli minister of social and diaspora affairs Michael Melchior was born in Denmark and is the son of former chief rabbi in Copenhagen, Bent Melchior, the nephew of former Danish minister of traffic and minister of tourism and communication Arne Melchior, and the grandson of the acting rabbi for the Jewish refugees from Denmark in Sweden 1943–45, Marcus Melchior; the executive director of the Peres Center for Peace 2001–2011, Ron Pundak who played an important role in starting the Oslo peace process and was part of the core group behind the Geneva Initiative, is the son of the influential Danish journalist Herbert Pundik; and the prominent Israeli politician Yohanan Plesner, former chairman of the Plesner Committee, is the son of Danish architect Ulrik Plesner.

Estonia

Estonia and Israel maintain excellent relations. Israel officially recognized the Republic of Estonia on 4 September 1991 and diplomatic relations were established on 9 January 1992. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet opened the Estonian Embassy in Tel Aviv in November 2009.[420]

As of 2012, bilateral trade with Israel was 19.9 million euros.[421]

Finland

Main article: Finland–Israel relations

In 2004, a joint Finland-Israel Technology (FIT) cooperation program was created for research and development projects in the field of ICT. The Office of the Chief Scientist in Israel and Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Research and Innovation, allocated five million euros each for the funding of projects.[422] In 2005, Finnish exports to Israel totaled 155,24 million euros and imports from Israel to Finland totaled 95.96 million euros. Finland's leading exports to Israel are telecommunications equipment and machinery, and Israeli fruits and vegetables.[422]

France

Main article: France–Israel relations
 
Tzipi Livni and French foreign minister Douste-Blazy

In the early 1950s, France and Israel maintained close political and military ties as common enemies of Pan-Arab nationalism. France was Israel's main weapons supplier until its withdrawal from Algeria in 1962 removed most common interest from the relationship, and France became increasingly critical of Israel.[423] This new reality became clear when, in the crisis leading up to the Six-Day War in June 1967, Charles de Gaulle's government imposed an arms embargo on the region, mostly affecting Israel, which had relied on France for weapons over the previous decade.[424] Under François Mitterrand in the early 1980s, French–Israeli relations improved greatly. Mitterrand was the first French president to visit Israel while in office.[425] In 1967, after the Six-Day War, 5,300 French Jews immigrated to Israel.[426]

Georgia

Main article: Georgia–Israel relations

Relations between Israel and Georgia remain excellent.[427] Georgia's former defense minister from 2006 to 2008, Davit Kezerashvili, had previously lived in Israel. Israel has been selling weapons to Georgia for seven years financed by grants from the USA[427] Included in these weapons are Israeli-built spy drones provided through the former mayor of Tel Aviv, Roni Milo. Israeli advisors, estimated to number between 100 and 1,000, have trained the Georgian military for some time.[427] The two nations also maintain a visa free policy where Georgian and Israeli officials signed an agreement to lift visa requirements for Georgian citizens traveling to Israel, reciprocating Georgia's visa-free policy for Israelis in place since mid-2005.[428][429]

Georgia has its embassy in Tel Aviv, and the State of Israel has its embassy in Tbilisi. In June 2013, Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili praised the Jewish people and Israel and has sought to increase relations between Israel and Georgia elucidating his special relationship between him, Georgia and the Jewish people. Ivanishvili also wanted to extend strategic partnerships and as well as furthering economic cooperation by making it easier for Israeli entrepreneurs and investors to not just do business in Israel, but also facilitate the right paths to do business for the Georgians. The Israel-Georgia Chamber of Business was established in 1996 in order to facilitate business transactions between the two friendly countries and acting as a guide for Israeli businesses through the Georgian economy. Major sectors include insurance, real estate and construction, medical and dental solutions, industrial and utility projects, and energy.[430][431][432]

Germany

Main article: Germany–Israel relations
See also: East Germany–Israel relations

Due to its role in the Holocaust, Israel was at first extremely hostile towards Germany and initially refused to establish relations with them. However, relations gradually thawed as Germany offered to pay reparations in 1952, and diplomatic relations were officially established in 1965. Israel and Germany now maintain a "special relationship" based on shared beliefs, Western values and a combination of historical perspectives.[433] Among the most important factors in their relations is Nazi Germany's role in the genocide of 6 million Jews during the Holocaust.[434]

Germany is a prime supplier of arms to Israel, including Dolphin submarines. The military co-operation has been discreet but mutually profitable: Israeli intelligence, for example, sent captured Warsaw Pact armor to West Germany to be analyzed. The results aided the German development of an anti-tank system.[435]

Greece

Main article: Greece–Israel relations

Both Greece and Turkey recognized the State of Israel in the late 1940s, but were diplomatically represented in Tel Aviv on lower-than-embassy levels. Greek–Israeli relations improved in 1995. Trade doubled between 1989 and 1995. That year Israel exported $200 million worth of chemicals and oil products to Greece and imported $150 million worth of cement, food, and building materials. Israel is the second largest importer of Greek products in the Middle East.

 
The Israeli and Greek Navies joined forces in 2012 near Piraeus
 
Meeting of President of Israel Shimon Peres and Prime Minister of Greece Antonis Samaras in August 2012 in Athens

A Greek–Israeli cooperation agreement on military affairs was concluded as early as December 1994 (predating the Turkish–Israeli agreement of February 1996); however, both sides refrained from activating the agreement. Greece was apparently concerned about alienating the Arab world while Israel did not wish to upset the Turks. Greece and Israel agreed to hold joint naval maneuvers at the end of the summer 1997, but they were indefinitely postponed by the Greeks. The reason given for the postponement was that the Greek navy was busy preventing infiltrations from Albania, and it could not spare a frigate for the exercises.[436][better source needed]

 
Hellenic Air Force Bombardier 415s fighting flames at Ein Hod on 4 December 2010

Greece–Israel relations improved as Turkey–Israel relations worsened in the aftermath of the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid. In October 2010, the Israeli and Greek air-forces trained jointly in Greece. According to the BBC, this signified a boost in ties that was due in large part to Israel's rift with Turkey.[437] In November 2011, the Israeli Air Force hosted Greece's Hellenic Air Force in a joint exercise at the Uvda base.[438]

The joint Cyprus–Israel oil and gas explorations are also an important factor for Greece, given its strong links with Cyprus.[439] Additionally Greek and Israeli state controlled energy companies are planning to lay the world's longest subsea power cable, linking Israel, Cyprus and Greece by 2023. The link, called the EuroAsia Interconnector project, will be the longest in the world.[440]

A new joint action committee for the Greek–Israeli alliance has been created in the U.S. Congress in early 2013. The creation and goals of the Greek-Israeli Caucus under the name Congressional Hellenic-Israel Alliance were announced at a special event held in the Congress.[441] It is co-chaired by Congress members Gus Bilirakis the Republican representative from Florida and Ted Deutch the Democrat from Florida, and the Greek-Israeli Caucus consists of powerful members of both Republican and Democratic party. It is estimated that it may become the most important pressure group in Congress by 2014.[442][443][444]

Holy See

Main article: Holy See–Israel relations

Before the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the Vatican opposed Zionist policies and objectives in Palestine. In 1947, during discussions at the United Nations about the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine, the Vatican supported the internationalization of Jerusalem, in order to keep the holy places away from either Israeli or Arab sovereignty. In October 1948, as the 1948 Arab–Israeli War was in progress, Pope Pius XII, deeply disturbed by that violent conflict, issued the encyclical In multiplicibus curis, in which he called on the peace-makers to give Jerusalem and its outskirts "an international character" and to assure – "with international guarantees" – freedom of access and worship at the holy places scattered throughout Palestine. In April 1949, he issued the encyclical Redemptoris nostri cruciatus, in which he appealed for justice for the Palestinian refugees and repeated his call for an "international status" as the best form of protection for the holy places.

In January 1964, Pope Paul VI visited Israel, the first such Papal visit.

Following the Six-Day War, the Vatican modified its position on the holy places. In an address to the College of Cardinals in December 1967, Pope Paul VI called for a "special statute, internationally guaranteed" for Jerusalem and the Holy Places, thus changing the previous demand for the internationalization of Jerusalem.

Diplomatic relations between the Israeli government and the Vatican were established in 1994, following the conclusion of the Fundamental Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Israel, signed on 30 December 1993. The Holy See (the Vatican), which has UN observer status, is the only non-UN member state with which Israel has diplomatic relations and the only non-UN member state recognised by Israel. An important organ in these relations is the Israel-Vatican Bilateral Commission, established under article 10 of the Agreement to resolve economic issues between the parties.

In 2000, Pope John Paul II visited Israel, followed by visits of Pope Benedict XVI (2009) and Pope Francis (2014). The bilateral commission convened on 30 April 2009 and 10 December 2009.[445]

Hungary

Main article: Hungary–Israel relations

Hungary and Israel established full diplomatic relations in 1948 and severed during the Six-Day War in 1967. Relations were restored in 1989 with improved relations as well as the opening of embassies and consulates with Hungary having an embassy in Tel Aviv and 4 honorary consulates (in Eilat, Haifa, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv)[446] and Israel has an embassy in Budapest and an honorary consulate in Szeged.[447] Both countries have stressed the increasing of trade and tourism between one another and an estimated 30,000 Hungarian Jews emigrated to Israel in 1948.[448][449][450] Both nations are also members of the Union for the Mediterranean.

In January 2022, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett thanked his Hungarian counterpart, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, for the Hungarian government's consistent support of Israel at international forums.[451]

Ireland

Main article: Ireland–Israel relations

Full diplomatic relations between Ireland and Israel were established in 1975.[452] As of 2023, the Israeli ambassador to Ireland is Dana Erlich and the Irish ambassador to Israel is Sonya McGuinness.[453][454]

The Irish government followed a similar line to other EU governments during the 2006 Lebanon War, with the Irish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, condemning the actions of Israel as "reckless and disproportionate" and calling for an immediate ceasefire on both sides, while also condemning the actions of Hezbollah.[455] During the conflict, a shipment of bombs that attempted to land in Ireland from USA to Tel Aviv was denied use of Irish airspace and airfields by the Irish Government. The weapons were part of a series of agreed arms shipments between the United States Government and Israel. The shipments were diverted via Scotland, where they also caused controversy.[456]

In 2010, the Israel Defense Forces forcibly boarded an Irish aid ship destined for the Gaza Strip which resulted in worsened relations, Israel's Mossad was also involved in the counterfeiting of Irish passports, 2 members of the Israeli ambassador's security staff in Dublin were subsequently deported. In 2010, there were numerous protests at the Israeli embassy in Ireland over the treatment of Palestinians.

Italy

Main article: Israel–Italy relations
 
The Israeli and Italian Air Forces conclude an extensive, two-week joint exercise in Sardinia, 17 November 2010.

Relations between Italy and Israel remain strong, with frequent diplomatic exchanges and a large volume of trade. The Israeli Government has followed with great attention the fight against international terrorism pursued by the Italian Government.

Kosovo

Main article: Israel–Kosovo relations

On 17 February 2008, Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia, a move Serbia rejects. Kosovo has been recognized by a substantial number of UN members, including the United States and most members of the European Union.[457] At the time of the declaration, an Israeli Foreign Ministry official stated: "We haven't decided when we're going to decide, and instead will monitor events and consider the issue". Israel was reluctant to recognize Kosovo's independence, in part because of the possibility of Palestinians using recognition of Kosovo to justify their own unilateral declaration of independence.[458] On 21 September 2018 the president of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci told that he would place the Kosovo embassy in Jerusalem if Israel recognized Kosovo as an independent state.[459] Israel and Kosovo agreed to establish diplomatic relations on 4 September 2020.[460] In March 2022, Kosovo officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem after becoming the first Muslim-majority territory to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.[461]

Latvia

Latvia and Israel established diplomatic relations 6 January 1992. In October 2012, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs called on Israeli officials for the development of economic and trade contacts between both countries and support for Latvia's accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Rinkevics also met with Israeli President Shimon Peres on behalf of President Berzins to visit Latvia. Rinkevics and Peres agreed on the key significance of education and knowledge-based economies for the development of small countries further paving opportunities for our future cooperation between the two nations.[462]

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman also corroborated claims that Israel is interested in forging closer relations with Latvia as Rinkevics emphasized the 20th anniversary of relations between Latvia and Israel in 2012 and both foreign ministers expressed their commitment to strengthening economic and trade cooperation, including contacts between Latvian and Israeli entrepreneurs and a more cooperative operation in the fields of education, culture and science.[462]

Lithuania

Main article: Israel–Lithuania relations

Israel recognized Lithuania's independence in 1991. Both countries established diplomatic relation in 1992. Israel has an embassy in Vilnius. Lithuania has an embassy in Tel Aviv and two honorary consulates (in Herzliya and Ramat Gan). Relations are warm and friendly between the two nations and both bi-national trade and tourism has doubled, and two new regularly scheduled flights have just been set between the two countries since 2010.[463]

Lithuanian achievements, particularly Lithuania's achievements in biochemistry and the biosciences have attracted Israeli entrepreneurs and investors to invest in Lithuania's science and technology sector and Lithuania is enthusiastic in combining Israel's knack for unlocked untapped entrepreneurial and intellectual potential combined with Lithuania's strong science and technology research base and talented workforce. Both nations have concluded an agreement on cooperation in industrial research and experimental development as further cooperation within venture capital to fund joint research projects remains underway.[464][465]

Bilateral meetings between both nations reached unexpected highs between 2009–2011 and cooperations between the two nations remain excellent with several forms of cooperation that include science, economics, education, and culture as emphasized by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Azubalis. Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite has stated Israel as model of innovation in which is one of the reasons that Lithuania is interested in enhancing its bilateral relations.[466][467][468][469]

In 2011 alone, Israeli tourism to Lithuania grew by 62 percent, and Lithuanian exports to Israel increased by 54 percent. Israel's leading pharmaceutical company, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, has a manufacturing plant in Lithuania and TEVA recently invested in "Sicor Biotech", a Lithuanian biotechnological pharmaceutical company, further signifying economic cooperation and encourages the development of such sciences as biotechnology and genetic engineering in Lithuanian universities.[470]

Israeli companies have taken a very active interest in possibilities for carrying out clinical research in Lithuania; many of them are already in cooperation with Lithuanian medical institutions and have invested in Lithuania's burgeoning life sciences sector. In 2013, Lithuanian biotechnology company ProBioSanus signed a representation agreement with Bharat Israel where ProBioSanus' natural, probiotic-based cleaning and personal care products will be available for sale in Israel for the first time. The company already opened stores in Lithuania and Scandinavia. Mr Andrejauskas, head of ProBioSanus spoke of this agreement saying that "We have a strong scientific base and intellectual potential in Lithuania, so we are allocating particular attention to the creation of new formulas and products."[471] Besides Israeli investments in the Lithuanian life science's sector, Lithuanian presence in Israel in the food industry remains strong as Israeli supermarkets sell Lithuanian cheese, curd desserts, Vilnius mayonnaise, Žemaitijos Pienas butter, Panevėžys ice cream, Švyturys-Utenos Alus beers and various styles of Lithuanian liquors. According to Vadimas Ivanovas, a business and financial analyst at Enterprise Lithuania, says that Israeli retail chains are very interested in Lithuanian sweets, pastries, canned vegetables, various sauces, alcoholic beverages, mineral water. "Veal is particularly popular."[465]

Luxembourg

In November 1947, Luxembourg voted in favor of the partition plan to create a Jewish state. Israel and Luxembourg established full diplomatic relations in 1949. Due to Luxembourg's small size, the Israeli embassy is located in Brussels and Luxembourg is represented politically by the Dutch embassy and economically by the Belgian embassy.[472][better source needed]

Moldova

 
Moldovan Embassy in Tel Aviv.

Relations between Moldova and Israel were established on 6 June 1992. Israel recognized Moldova on 25 December 1991. Israel is represented in Moldova through its embassy in Chisinau and Moldova has an embassy in Tel Aviv and an honorary consulate in Haifa. Relations between the two countries are friendly and a warm one based on mutual support. A myriad of efforts are primarily focused on the realization of achieved accords on cooperation in the fields of economy, medicine, industry, agriculture, social and cultural issues. Though the volume of trade between Israel and Moldova is low, Larisa Miculet, the Ambassador of Moldova to Israel has stated that there numerous untapped potential of increasing bilateral trade. For Israeli entrepreneurs and investors, Moldova is geopolitically convenient because of its location in the center of Europe, its high transparency between public authorities and foreign investors and due to its having eliminated most of the bureaucratic barriers that hinder business activities. Various business sectors of cooperation between Israel and Moldova range from pharmaceuticals, energy, information technology and software, electronics and electronic equipment, power engineering, metal and plastics processing and construction materials but Moldova has stressed foreign Israeli investments in all segments of the Moldovan economy.[473][474][475]

Netherlands

Main article: Israel–Netherlands relations
 
Netherlands delegation, Jerusalem March

In 1947, the Netherlands voted in favor of the establishing Israel and established diplomatic relation in 1949. Israel has an embassy in The Hague and The Netherlands has an embassy in Tel Aviv.

North Macedonia

Main article: Israel–North Macedonia relations

Norway

Main article: Israel–Norway relations
 
With Israel for Peace (MIFF), Oslo

Norway was one of the first countries to recognize Israel on 4 February 1949. Both countries established diplomatic relations later that year. Israel has an embassy which serves Norway and Iceland in Oslo. Norway has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 2 honorary consulates (in Eilat and Haifa). Israels Venner på Stortinget (Friends of Israel in the Parliament of Norway) is a pro-Israel caucus group consisting of members of the Parliament of Norway (Stortinget).

Poland

Main article: Israel–Poland relations

Following the severing of relations after the Six-Day War, Poland was the first Eastern Bloc country to restore relations with Israel in 1986 (beside Romania, which had continuous relations with Israel). Full diplomatic relations were reestablished in 1990, after the fall of Communism in Poland.

Portugal

The Estado Novo regime did not recognize Israel. Full diplomatic relations with the Portuguese government were established on 12 May 1977, following the Portuguese revolution of 1974.[476]

Romania

Main article: Israel–Romania relations

Romania and Israel established full diplomatic relations on 11 June 1948. Between 1967 and 1989, Romania was the only Eastern Bloc country to maintain relations with Israel, after the Six-Day War.[477]

Israel has an embassy in Bucharest.[478] Romania has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 3 honorary consulates (in Haifa, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv).[479] The two countries have signed many bilateral treaties and agreements and both of them are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean and many other international organizations.

Russia and the Soviet Union

Main article: Israel–Russia relations
See also: Soviet Union and the Arab–Israeli conflict and Russia and the Arab–Israeli conflict
 
Benjamin Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin at the 2018 Moscow Victory Day Parade

The Soviet Union voted in favor of the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine in 1947, which paved the way for the creation of the State of Israel. On 17 May 1948, on the third day of Israel's independence, the Soviet Union granted de jure recognition to the State of Israel, becoming only the second country to recognise Israel (preceded only by the United States' de facto recognition) and the first country to grant Israel de jure recognition.[480]

The Soviet Union and the other communist states of Eastern Europe (with the exception of Romania) cut diplomatic ties with Israel during the Six-Day War. Relations were restored on 19 October 1991, a few months before the dissolution of the Soviet Union, despite the fact that hostile Arab countries such as Syria also maintain close ties with Russia. Russia is known to supply Syria with weapons.[481]

In September 2010, Israel and Russia signed a comprehensive military agreement that will "increase cooperation on combating terrorism" and the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak met with his Russian counterpart, Anatoly Serdyukov and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, and signed the agreement during a ceremony in Moscow. The Russian military plans on purchasing additional Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles. Russia previously bought 12 drones from the Israel Aerospace Industries following the war in South Ossetia.[482]

Serbia

Main article: Israel–Serbia relations

Diplomatic relations between Israel and Serbia's predecessor state, Yugoslavia, were severed for twenty-four years, from 1967 until 1991, when they were officially renewed, by which time Yugoslavia was in the process of disintegration. Diplomatic relations continued when, in April 1992, the two remaining Yugoslav republics, Serbia and Montenegro, formed the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (renamed to Serbia and Montenegro in February 2003). On 3 June 2006, Montenegro and Serbia dissolved the union.

Slovakia

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1993. Israel has an embassy in Bratislava, with its first resident ambassador in Slovakia being Yael Rubinstein.[483] Slovakia has an embassy in Tel Aviv.[484] In May 2008, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico called Ehud Olmert and Shimon Peres for the strengthening of diplomatic relations between Israel and Slovakia. An Israel – Slovakia Chamber of Commerce and Industry also exists to facilitate further economic and business cooperation between the two countries.[485][486]

Slovenia

Main article: Israel–Slovenia relations

Israel and Slovenia established full diplomatic relations when Israel officially recognized Slovenia on 16 April 1992 and on 28 April 1992 when the countries signed the Protocol establishing diplomatic relations between each other. The Slovenian-Israeli Chamber of Commerce was established in 2010 signifying a strengthening of ties and both countries have discussed bilateral cooperation in business, tourism, science and technology, and agriculture.[487][488]

Slovenian Jews in Israel

A sizable Slovenian Jewish community was presently in the Gush Dan area.

Spain

Main article: Israel–Spain relations

Francoist Spain did not recognize Israel, citing an international conspiracy of Jews and Freemasons against Spain. Israel and Spain have maintained diplomatic ties since 1986. Nevertheless, Israeli exports to Spain are on the rise, totalling $870 million in 2006, and Israeli firms doing business with Spain include the Dead Sea Works, Haifa Chemicals, Amdocs, Comverse and Teva Pharmaceuticals.[489] The Spanish foreign minister visited Israel for an official visit in May 2008.[490]

Sweden

Main article: Israel–Sweden relations

Sweden voted in favor of the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine in 1947. Relations between Sweden and Israel were good during the 1950s and 1960s, and Sweden expressed strong support for Israel during the Six-Day War.[491] However, from 1969, Sweden became more critical of Israel.[492][493] In October 2014 Sweden officially recognized the State of Palestine as the first European Union country.[494]

Switzerland

Main article: Israel–Switzerland relations
 
The Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces, André Blattmann, visiting Israel as a guest of IDF Chief of General Staff, Benny Gantz, 27 November 2011.

The First Zionist Congress was held in Basel in 1897, and 15 out of a total of 22 congresses were held in Switzerland. Before the establishment of the State of Israel, Switzerland maintained a consulate in Jerusalem and a consular agency in Tel Aviv. It recognized the new state in 1949 and opened a consulate in Tel Aviv, which was upgraded to an embassy in 1958. The Swiss community in Israel is the largest in the Asian region, totalling around 12,000 persons.[495]

After escalation of the Middle East conflict, Switzerland halted arms sales and military cooperation with Israel from 2002 to 2005. Since 2004, there has been regular political dialogue between Switzerland and Israel.[495]

Switzerland has represented Israel's interests in numerous countries (Hungary (1967–1989), Guinea (1967–1973), Ceylon/Sri Lanka (1970–1976), Madagascar (1973–1994), Liberia (1973–1983) and Ghana (1973–2002)). Conversely, it has represented the interests of Iran (1958–1987) and Ivory Coast (1973–1986) in Israel. It also lobbied successfully for inclusion of Magen David Adom in the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement.[495]

On 21 April 2009, Israel recalled its ambassador for consultations due to events that occurred at the UN anti-racism conference in Geneva, Switzerland. Israeli officials, angered by a meeting between Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz and the Iranian president, recalled its ambassador to Switzerland, Ilan Elgar "for consultations" amid ongoing controversy over an anti-racism conference being held in Geneva.[496][497]

Ukraine

Main article: Israel–Ukraine relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 December 1991. Israel has an embassy in Kyiv. Ukraine has an embassy in Tel Aviv and a consulate-general in Haifa. In July 2010 the foreign ministers of two countries sign an agreement of non-visa traffic between Israel and Ukraine. This came into effect on 9 February 2011 and since then Ukrainians and Israelis may enter territory, travel through it or stay on Ukraine/Israel without having to obtain visas for 90 days within a period of 180 days.

United Kingdom

Main article: Israel–United Kingdom relations

Relations between the Israel and the UK began as hostile. During the 1948 Arab–Israeli war, Britain detained 8,000 Jewish men of military age attempting to make aliyah to Israel in Cyprus, so they could not participate in the fighting. Britain supplied weapons to the Arab states, and almost went to war with Israel. When Israel captured the Negev, the British Ministry of Defence began to draw up plans for a possible invasion of Israel. British planes spied on Israeli positions, and war between the two countries became even more possible when four British planes were shot down by Israel. However, the two countries began to soften later on, and trade began. In 1956 Israel invaded Sinai Peninsula in agreement with France and the UK that invaded Suez. Nevertheless, Anglo-Israeli relations became turbulent in the summer of 2006 when Prime Minister Tony Blair, along with many other European leaders criticized IDF airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, which had high civilian casualties. During the Cameron premiership, relations between the two countries continued to remain close.

Central America

Belize

  • Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1983.[498]
  • Belize is represented in Israel through its embassy in London.[499]
  • Israel is represented in Belize through its embassy in San Salvador.[500]
  • Since 2011, both countries have an agreement on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, service and national passports.[501]
  • In November 2023, Belize suspended diplomatic ties with Israel over its refusal to implement a ceasefire for the war in Gaza.[502]

Costa Rica

Costa Rica was one of the first countries to vote in favor of the establishment of the State of Israel. It maintained its embassy in Jerusalem until August 2006, when it finally relocated to Tel Aviv in order to bolster its ties with the Arab world.[503] In December 2011, Rodrigo Carreras became the Costa Rican ambassador to Israel for the second time, after his posting there in the 1980s. Carreras' father, Benjamin Nunez, also served as the Costa Rican ambassador to Israel.[504]

Guatemala

Following Israel's independence, Guatemala was the first country to open an embassy in Jerusalem in 1959. The embassy was later relocated to Tel Aviv. However, on 16 May 2018 Guatemala again moved its embassy back to Jerusalem. The move to Jerusalem followed two days after the opening of the United States' Embassy to Israel in the city.[505]

Haiti

 
Israeli rescue workers in Haiti

Haiti and Israel maintain full diplomatic relations. In 1947, Haiti voted for the UN Partition Plan and the creation of the State of Israel.[506][better source needed] Israel was among the first to send both personnel and aid to Haiti following the devastating earthquake in 2010.[507]

Dominican Republic

  • Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1979.
  • Israel is represented in Dominican Republic through its embassy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
  • Both countries have an agreement on visa abolition.[508]

Panama

Panama formally recognized the State of Israel on 18 June 1948. The two countries first exchanged in 1960.

Panama voted with Israel against UN resolution 67/19,[509] as well as UN resolution 70/70,[510] and in 2012 had a 30% voting coincidence with Israel.[511][better source needed]

Nicaragua

1974–1978: Israel sold arms to Somoza régime.[512][513]

On 1 June 2010 Nicaragua suspended diplomatic ties with Israel in response to the Gaza flotilla raid.[514] Relations were restored in March 2017.[515]

North America

Canada

Main article: Canada–Israel relations

Canada's relationship with Israel began in 1947, when Canada was represented on the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP). Canada was one of the 33 countries (including only four Commonwealth members) that voted in favour of the 1947 UN partition Plan, thus beginning a longstanding relationship with the Jewish state based on a shared commitment to democratic values, understanding, and mutual respect.

Cuba

Main article: Cuba–Israel relations
 
Cuban ambassador to Israel with Golda Meir, 1960

Cuba sent troops to fight against Israel during the War of Attrition. Cuba also joined the expeditionary forces during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, and broke diplomatic relations with Israel the same year.

As Cuba's enemy and a very close United States ally, Israel was the only country in the world that consistently sided with the U.S. blockade against Cuba.

In late 2010, Fidel Castro, who at this time no longer held office in Cuba's government, stated that he believes Israel has a 'right to exist', which is a shift from his régime's earlier policy.[516]

Mexico

Main article: Israel–Mexico relations
 
Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu meeting with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto in Jerusalem; 2016.

Mexico and Israel have had diplomatic relations since January 1950. Throughout the years, they have maintained close relations with each other. In 2000, a free trade agreement was signed between the two nations. Mexico has also purchased weapons from Israel and is one of Israel's closest allies in the Americas.[517]

United States

Main article: Israel–United States relations
See also: Israel–United States military relations
 
Yitzhak Shamir with U.S. Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, 1982

The relations between Israel and the United States have evolved from an initial United States policy of sympathy and support for the creation of a Jewish state in 1948 (It was the first country to recognize the establishment of the State) to an unusual partnership that links Israel with the United States trying to balance competing interests in the Middle East region. The United States has been considered Israel's most powerful and supportive ally and hosts the annual Salute to Israel Parade in New York City. From 1948 to 2012, the United States has provided Israel with $233.7 billion in aid (after adjusting for inflation). In addition, the US has provided Israel with $19 billion in loan guarantees.[518]

The United States is Israel's largest trading partner, accounting for 22.4 percent of Israel's $43.19 billion in imports, and 42.1 percent of Israel's $40.14 billion in exports annually (2005).[519] The U.S. also provides Israel with $2.4 billion in military assistance annually, which is equivalent to 24.5 percent of Israel's military expenditures. (2005).[519]

Oceania

Australia

Main article: Australia–Israel relations
 
Australian Light Horse Monument in Australian Soldier Park, Beersheba.

Australia was one of the four Commonwealth nations to vote in favour of the 1947 UN partition resolution. Australia and Israel established full diplomatic relations in January 1949.[520] Australia has an embassy in Tel Aviv and Israel likewise in Canberra. In May 2010, the Australian government expelled an Israeli diplomat over the misuse of Australian passports in the assassination of Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh, which Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said was "not the act of a friend."[521]

Marshall Islands

Main article: Israel–Marshall Islands relations

The Marshall Islands is one of the most consistent supporters of Israel international affairs, along with the United States, Micronesia and Palau. The Marshall Islands is a country in free association with the United States, and thus consistently vote in favor of the United States.

Micronesia

Main article: Israel–Federated States of Micronesia relations

The Federated States of Micronesia is one of the most consistent supporters of Israel. Throughout the history of the United Nations General Assembly, there has always been an "automatic majority" against Israel. The United States has often voted in favour of Israel and in recent years,[522][523] one other nation has joined Israel's defense – Micronesia.

The foreign policy goals of the Micronesia are primarily linked to achieving economic development and protecting their vast marine environment. Israel was one of the first to welcome Micronesia into the family of nations, even before it became a member of the UN. According to Micronesia's U.N. deputy ambassador, the country has since sought close bilateral relations with Israel in areas such as agriculture, technical training and health care training. Israel assisted Micronesia in its early development. As one Micronesian diplomat said, "We need Israeli expertise, so I don't see a change in our policy anytime soon."[524][better source needed]

In January 2010, the President of the Federated States of Micronesia, Emanuel Mori, and the President of the Republic of Nauru, Marcus Stephen, with their foreign ministers, visited Israel to expand ties on issues such as healthcare, solar energy, water conservation, clean technologies and other areas in which Israel can provide expertise. They met with Israeli leaders including the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman.[525]

Nauru

Main article: Israel–Nauru relations

Israel and the Republic of Nauru established official diplomatic relations in 2013 and collaborated on various subjects.[which?] Nauru, like other Pacific islands such as the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau, is a consistent supporter of Israel in international bodies, including the United Nations.

New Zealand

Main article: Israel–New Zealand relations

New Zealand was one of the four Commonwealth nations to vote in favour of the 1947 UN partition resolution. Since then, most New Zealand governments have been supportive of Israel. After 53 years of full diplomatic relations, the Israeli Embassy in Wellington closed in 2004 due to $5.4 million in cost-cuts by the Israeli Foreign Ministry. It was speculated that trade with Arab countries were a major factor. In June 2004, the New Zealand Government criticized Israel's policy of bulldozing Palestinian homes and donated $534,000 to aid homeless Palestinians. At one time there were four missions in the South Pacific area in Canberra, Sydney, Wellington and Suva in Fiji. Following the closure, only Canberra remained open, which was responsible for New Zealand-Israeli Relations. In 2009, the Israel Foreign Ministry announced the reopening of the embassy in Wellington.[389]

In mid-2004, two suspected Mossad agents were jailed for three months and paid a $35,000 fine for trying on false grounds to obtain a New Zealand passport. High-level visits between the two countries were cancelled, visa restrictions imposed for Israeli officials, and an expected visit to New Zealand by Israeli president Moshe Katsav was cancelled. More than a year later, Israel apologized and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced that it was time to resume friendly diplomatic relations with Israel.

Niue

Diplomatic relations between Israel and Niue were established on August 3, 2023.[526]

Palau

Main article: Israel–Palau relations

Palau is one of the most consistent supporters of Israel in the United Nations and other international affairs along with the United States, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. In 2006, Palau had the highest voting coincidence with Israel in the United Nations.

Papua New Guinea

Main article: Israel–Papua New Guinea relations

Tuvalu

Israel maintains a non-resident embassy to Tuvalu in Jerusalem and Tuvalu has voted together with Israel against UN resolutions furthering Palestinian sovereignty on occasion.[527][528]

South America

Argentina

Main article: Argentina–Israel relations
 
Golda Meir with Eva Perón.

In 1992, three Israeli diplomats were killed in the bombing of the Israeli Embassy which left 29 people dead and 240 wounded. Two years later, another bombing took place at the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, killing 85 people and wounding 300. The investigation was never completed.[529] Néstor Kirchner called this a national disgrace, and reopened the files.

Bolivia

In January 2009, Bolivia limited its foreign relationship with Israel in the wake of strikes in Gaza by Israel. Bolivian President Evo Morales has reportedly promised to take Israel to an international court for alleged war crimes committed in Gaza.[530] Bolivia originally granted visa free access to Israeli citizens. However, as a result of Israel's 2014 military operation in Gaza, which it opposed, President Evo Morales declared Israel a "terrorist state" and his government will now require Israeli citizens to obtain a visa to visit Bolivia.[531] Morales has called Israel's treatment of Palestinians "a genocide".[532]

Following Morales's resignation and fleeing to Mexico in November 2019, relations were restored to their previous status.[533]

On 1 November 2023, following the escalation of the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, Deputy Foreign Minister of Bolivia Freddy Mamani announced that Bolivia would be cutting diplomatic ties with Israel. This made Bolivia the first country to cut relations with Israel in response to the conflict.[534]

Brazil

Main article: Brazil–Israel relations
 
Shimon Peres and Foreign Minister of Brazil, Celso Amorim

Brazil played a large role in the establishment of the State of Israel. Brazil held the Presidency office of the UN General Assembly in 1947, which proclaimed the Partition Plan for Palestine. The Brazilian delegation to the U.N., supported and heavily lobbied for the partition of Palestine toward the creation of the State of Israel. Brazil was also one of the first countries to recognize the State of Israel, on 7 February 1949, less than one year after Israeli Declaration of Independence.

Nowadays, Brazil and Israel maintain close political, economic and military ties. Brazil is a full member state of Israel Allies Caucus,[535] a political advocacy organization that mobilizes pro-Israel parliamentarians in governments worldwide. The two nations enjoy a degree of arms cooperation as Brazil is a key buyer of Israeli weapons and military technology.[536] Also, Brazil is Israel's largest trading partner in Latin America.[537] Israel has an embassy in Brasília and a consulate-general in Sao Paulo and Brazil has an embassy in Tel Aviv and an honorary consulate in Haifa.[538] A longstanding dispute between Israel and Brazil is ongoing over Brazil's official rejection of a new Israeli ambassador because of his ties to the West Bank.[539]

Brazil-Israel relations have improved significantly during the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro since 2019. Brazilian president Bolsonaro has expressed his love for Israel several times.[540] He has even said to have turned Brazil into Israel's new best friend.[541] In December 2019, Brazil opened a trade office in Jerusalem. Brazil also considered to move its embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.[542]

Brazil has the ninth largest Jewish community in the world, about 107,329 by 2010, according to the IBGE census.[543] The Jewish Confederation of Brazil (CONIB) estimates to more than 120,000.[544]

Chile

Main article: Chile–Israel relations

Chile recognized Israel's independence in February 1949. Israel sent its first ambassador to Chile in May 1950, and Chile sent its first ambassador to Israel in June 1952. Prime Minister Golda Meir visited Chile during her term in office. In March 2005, the Chilean minister of foreign affairs Ignacio Walker made an official visit to Israel. Chile is home to the largest Palestinian community outside the Middle East, approximately 500,000.[545][546]

Colombia

Main article: Colombia–Israel relations
 
President Iván Duque with President Isaac Herzog.

Colombia and Israel established formal relations in the mid-1950s. In recent years, Colombia has purchased planes, drones, weapons and intelligence systems from Israel. An Israeli company, Global CST won a $10 million contract in Colombia.[547] On May 1, 2024, Colombian president Petro announced Colombia would break diplomatic ties with Israel.[548]

Guyana

Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 9 March 1992.[549]

Paraguay

In September 2018, Paraguay announced that it was moving its embassy in Israel out of Jerusalem and back to Tel Aviv, just months after a previous Paraguayan administration had opened the new mission. The US, Guatemala and Paraguay, all moved their embassies to Jerusalem in May 2018. Paraguay said it had officially recognized the military wings of Palestinian group Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah as terrorist organizations, drawing praise from Israel. President Mario Abdo Benitez made the declaration in an official document in August 2019.[550]

Peru

Main article: Israel–Peru relations

Israel and Peru established diplomatic relations in 1957. In 1998 the two countries began talks on a free-trade agreement.[551] Israel sent rescue teams and medical aid to Peru after earthquakes in 1970, 2005 and 2007.[552][553] In 2001, Eliane Karp, a former Israeli, became the First Lady of Peru.[554]

Suriname

Suriname and Israel established diplomatic relations on 24 February 1976.[555] In February 2011, non-resident Israeli ambassador to Suriname, Amiram Magid, criticized the government of Suriname for recognizing the State of Palestine.[556] On 30 May 2022, in a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, Surinamese Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin announced plans to open a Surinamese embassy in Jerusalem in the near future.[557] On 23 June, Surinamese President Chan Santokhi announced the cancellation of the Jerusalem embassy plans, citing a lack of funds.[558]

Uruguay

Main article: Israel–Uruguay relations

Israel has an embassy in Montevideo. Uruguay has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 2 honorary consulates in Ashdod and Haifa. Uruguay was one of the first nations to recognise Israel as independent.

Venezuela

Main article: Israel–Venezuela relations

Relations were once strong, but the bilateral ties soured under the Presidency of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela.[559] The Jewish population in Venezuela, which peaked at 45,000,[560] is now below 15,000 "as a result of severe instability in the country", according to the Israeli Stephen Roth Institute.[561] The Miami Herald, Jewish Times, and Jewish organizations have reported large-scale emigration of Jewish people from Venezuela during the Chávez administration.[562][563] As a result of the June/July 2006 battles in the Gaza Strip, Venezuela withdrew its ambassador to Israel. Following the Israeli attack on Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009, Venezuela cut its diplomatic ties with Israel. Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez called the attack "genocidal", and urged that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert be tried for war crimes.

Israeli foreign aid

Main article: Israeli foreign aid

Israeli foreign aid comprises primarily development assistance and humanitarian aid provided by Israel to foreign countries. Israel provides assistance to developing countries to alleviate and solve economic and social problems through its international cooperation program of technical assistance, based on its own recent and ongoing experience in developing human and material resources. Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation, established as an agency of the Israeli Foreign Ministry in 1958 and known by its Hebrew acronym, MASHAV, is the primary vehicle for providing this aid.[564]

Israel has provided humanitarian assistance to developing countries in Asia, Africa, South America, Oceania, and Central Europe through the activities of Mashav,[565] with the goal to give developing countries the knowledge, tools, and expertise that Israel gained in its own development, and its ability to "make the desert flourish". This center trains course participants from approximately 140 countries on healthcare, as well as emergency and disaster medicine, and has participated in dozens of projects worldwide in fields economic fields such as agriculture, education, development, employment, and healthcare, as well as humanitarian fields such as disaster relief, reconstruction, and refugee absorption.[566]

In the 1970s, Israel broadened its aid agenda by granting safe haven to refugees and foreign nationals in distress from around the world. Since the 1980s, Israel has also provided humanitarian aid to places affected by natural disasters and terrorist attacks. In 1995, the Israeli Foreign Ministry and Israel Defense Forces established a permanent humanitarian and emergency aid unit, which has carried out humanitarian operations worldwide. In addition to providing humanitarian supplies, Israel has also sent rescue teams and medical personnel and set up mobile field hospitals in disaster-stricken areas worldwide.[567]

Non-government Israeli humanitarian aid organizations, such as IsraAid (The Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid), Fast Israeli Rescue and Search Team (FIRST), Israeli Flying Aid (IFA), Save a Child's Heart (SACH) and Latet (Hebrew for "to give") provide various types of aid in foreign countries, complementing or in coordination with the official government aid. They provide humanitarian aid such as search and rescue teams to disaster zones, life saving aid to people affected by natural or man-made disasters, medical aid, disease prevention, urgent pediatric heart surgery and follow-up care for children from developing countries, and food aid.[568]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Israel's diplomatic missions abroad: status of relations, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This source lists diplomatic relations with 156 UN member states, in addition to the Holy See, the Cook Islands and Niue. Not included in the list are the recent resumption or establishment of diplomatic relations with five UN member states (Bahrain, Bolivia, Guinea, Nicaragua and the United Arab Emirates), in addition to Kosovo.
  2. ^ United States Congress (5 June 2008). "H. RES. 1249" (PDF). Since the publication of this document, Mauritania and Venezuela severed relations with Israel, and Bahrain, Chad, Guinea and the United Arab Emirates resumed or established relations.
  3. ^ Chapin Metz, Helen, ed. (1988). Israel: A Country Study. Washington, D.C.: GPO for the Library of Congress.
  4. ^ (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 March 2009.
  5. ^ . Smi.uib.no. Archived from the original on 22 February 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
  6. ^ "Israel Seeks To Raise Profile of African Aid". Forward.com. 29 September 2006.
  7. ^ a b Lin, Christina (26 July 2014). "Will the Middle Kingdom Join the Middle East Peace Quartet?". Times of Israel. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "China learns Israeli agri-tech". Consulate of Israel in Hong Kong and Macau. 3 May 2012.
  9. ^ a b c Keeley, Sean (24 January 2017). "The Eight Great Powers of 2017". The American Interest.
  10. ^ a b c d Evron, Yoram (18 April 2015). "Ynetnews Opinion – US alienation leading to Israeli-Chinese renaissance". Ynetnews. Ynetnews.com. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  11. ^ . The Daily Times. 15 October 2004. Archived from the original on 3 March 2006.
  12. ^ Leslie Susser (25 March 2009). . Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Archived from the original on 28 March 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  13. ^ "Pentagon chief laments growing Israeli 'isolation' from Turkey, Egypt". Associated Press. 3 December 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  14. ^ Callick, Rowan (27 February 2012). "Israel making Asian inroads". The Australian. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
January 01, 1970
foreign, relations, israel, refers, diplomatic, trade, relations, between, israel, other, countries, around, world, israel, diplomatic, ties, with, other, member, states, december, 2020, israel, member, united, nations, number, other, international, organisati. Foreign relations of Israel refers to diplomatic and trade relations between Israel and other countries around the world Israel has diplomatic ties with 164 of the other 192 UN member states as of December 2020 1 Israel is a member of the United Nations UN and a number of other international organisations Israel maintains full diplomatic relations with two of its Arab neighbours Egypt and Jordan after signing peace treaties in 1979 and 1994 respectively In 2020 Israel signed agreements establishing diplomatic relations with three Arab League countries Bahrain the United Arab Emirates and Morocco As of 2021 Israel had formal diplomatic relations with 168 other countries while twenty eight UN member states have either never established or have broken off diplomatic relations with Israel 2 The Israeli Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem Israel s foreign relations are influenced primarily by Israel s strategic situation in the Middle East the broader Arab Israeli conflict and the conflict with Iran particularly over Iran s nuclear program along with the rejection by regional states Israel s foreign policy goals have therefore been to overcome diplomatic isolation and to achieve recognition and friendly relations with as many nations as possible both in the Middle East region and further afield Israel practices both open and secret diplomacy to further national goals for example commercial trade and science and technology cooperation importing raw materials engaging in military procurement as well as exporting arms and military assistance intelligence cooperation with its allies and prisoner of war exchanges and other arrangements for hostage releases It has also sought to foster increased Jewish immigration to Israel and to protect vulnerable Jewish communities in the Diaspora to offer aid to developing countries and humanitarian assistance to countries facing large scale disasters 3 Israel s close friendship with the United States has been a linchpin of its foreign policy since the establishment of the state Until the Iranian Revolution and the fall of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1979 Israel and Iran maintained close ties Iran was the second Muslim majority country to recognize Israel as a sovereign nation after Turkey 4 5 In the mid 20th century Israel ran extensive foreign aid and educational programs in Africa sending experts in agriculture water management and health care 6 China is also one of the few countries in the world to concurrently maintain warm relations with both Israel and the Muslim world at large 7 China s geopolitical credibility reputation and standing in world affairs has continued to play a significant role in shaping Israel s approach to international affairs and foreign policy towards Beijing owing to China s global influence which aligns harmoniously with the Jewish state s sensible economic management political stability as well as its regional strategic importance in the Middle East 8 9 10 During the 2000s the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that the increasing influence of the European Union would further isolate Israel in global affairs 11 12 In the wake of a series of diplomatic rifts with Turkey and the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt in 2011 Israel had increasingly unfriendly relations with those countries for a few years 13 During roughly the same period Israeli relations with many countries in Europe including Greece and Cyprus in the context of the Energy Triangle and in Asia including China and India were enhanced largely on account of the growth of Israel s high tech economy 14 Israeli ties with Egypt have improved since the Muslim Brotherhood was removed from power there while ties to Turkey have been uneven since their 2010 nadir Contents 1 Membership in international organizations 2 Diplomatic relations 2 1 List 2 2 No diplomatic relations 2 2 1 Member states of the United Nations 2 2 2 Other states 2 3 Limited relations 3 North Africa and Middle East 3 1 Algeria 3 2 Bahrain 3 3 Egypt 3 4 Iran 3 5 Iraq 3 5 1 Kurdistan Region 3 6 Jordan 3 7 Kuwait 3 8 Lebanon 3 9 Morocco 3 10 Oman 3 11 Qatar 3 12 Saudi Arabia 3 13 Syria 3 14 Tunisia 3 15 Turkey 3 16 United Arab Emirates 3 17 Yemen 4 Sub Saharan Africa 4 1 Angola 4 2 Botswana 4 3 Cameroon 4 4 Chad 4 5 Djibouti 4 6 Eritrea 4 7 Eswatini 4 8 Ethiopia 4 9 Ghana 4 10 Guinea 4 11 Kenya 4 12 Lesotho 4 13 Liberia 4 14 Madagascar 4 15 Malawi 4 16 Mauritania 4 17 Mauritius 4 18 Namibia 4 19 Niger 4 20 Nigeria 4 21 Rwanda 4 22 Senegal 4 23 South Africa 4 24 South Sudan 4 25 Sudan 4 26 Togo 4 27 Uganda 4 28 Zambia 4 29 Zimbabwe 5 Asia 5 1 Afghanistan 5 2 Bangladesh 5 3 Cambodia 5 4 China 5 5 Hong Kong 5 6 India 5 7 Indonesia 5 8 Japan 5 9 Kazakhstan 5 10 Malaysia 5 11 Maldives 5 12 Mongolia 5 13 Myanmar 5 14 Nepal 5 15 North Korea 5 16 Pakistan 5 17 Philippines 5 18 Singapore 5 19 South Korea 5 20 Sri Lanka 5 21 Thailand 5 22 Turkmenistan 5 23 Vietnam 6 Europe 6 1 Albania 6 2 Armenia 6 3 Austria 6 4 Azerbaijan 6 5 Belarus 6 6 Belgium 6 7 Bosnia and Herzegovina 6 8 Bulgaria 6 9 Croatia 6 10 Cyprus 6 11 Czech Republic 6 12 Denmark 6 13 Estonia 6 14 Finland 6 15 France 6 16 Georgia 6 17 Germany 6 18 Greece 6 19 Holy See 6 20 Hungary 6 21 Ireland 6 22 Italy 6 23 Kosovo 6 24 Latvia 6 25 Lithuania 6 26 Luxembourg 6 27 Moldova 6 28 Netherlands 6 29 North Macedonia 6 30 Norway 6 31 Poland 6 32 Portugal 6 33 Romania 6 34 Russia and the Soviet Union 6 35 Serbia 6 36 Slovakia 6 37 Slovenia 6 37 1 Slovenian Jews in Israel 6 38 Spain 6 39 Sweden 6 40 Switzerland 6 41 Ukraine 6 42 United Kingdom 7 Central America 7 1 Belize 7 2 Costa Rica 7 3 Guatemala 7 4 Haiti 7 5 Dominican Republic 7 6 Panama 7 7 Nicaragua 8 North America 8 1 Canada 8 2 Cuba 8 3 Mexico 8 4 United States 9 Oceania 9 1 Australia 9 2 Marshall Islands 9 3 Micronesia 9 4 Nauru 9 5 New Zealand 9 6 Niue 9 7 Palau 9 8 Papua New Guinea 9 9 Tuvalu 10 South America 10 1 Argentina 10 2 Bolivia 10 3 Brazil 10 4 Chile 10 5 Colombia 10 6 Guyana 10 7 Paraguay 10 8 Peru 10 9 Suriname 10 10 Uruguay 10 11 Venezuela 11 Israeli foreign aid 12 See also 13 References 14 External linksMembership in international organizations nbsp Israeli flag at the United Nations building in New York The first international organization which the Israeli government joined was the International Wheat Council established as part of Point Four Program in early 1949 Israel has been a member of the United Nations since 11 May 1949 Israel is a member of many UN agencies including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR and the Food and Agriculture Organization FAO Israel also participates in other international organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA and the World Health Organization WHO 15 Israel left the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO in a coordinated move with the US in 2019 16 Within the UNESCO Israel was a member in many international programs and organizations In the area of science Israel was an active member of the Man and the Biosphere Programme MAB the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission IOC the International Hydrological Programme IHP the International Centre for Synchrotron Light for Experimental Science Applications in the Middle East SESAME and the International Geoscience Programme IGCP Other notable organizations Israel is an active member of include the Education For All movement the European Centre for Higher Education CEPES the World Heritage Committee WHC the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property ICCROM and the International Council on Monuments and Sites ICOMOS 17 Relations were carried out through the Israeli National Commission for UNESCO 18 Israel joined the European Union s Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development FP in 1994 19 and is a member of the European Organization for Nuclear Research CERN 20 the European Molecular Biology Organization EMBO and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory EMBL 21 It is also a member of the Bank for International Settlement BIS since 2003 22 On 10 May 2010 Israel was invited to join the Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development OECD 23 Israel is a member of NATO s Mediterranean Dialogue forum 24 In 2014 Israel joined the Paris Club 25 After over 50 years of not being part of a regional grouping in the UN effectively shut out of many internationals organizations Israel joined the Western European and Others group on a temporary basis in 2000 Israel joined on a permanent basis in 2014 Diplomatic relationsSee also International recognition of Israel nbsp World map showing status of Israel s diplomatic relations in 2020 After the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 Israel was subjected to Arab League boycotts and attempts to diplomatically isolate the state As of 2020 Israel has diplomatic ties with 164 out of the other 192 member states of the United Nations as well as with the Holy See Kosovo the Cook Islands and Niue 1 Some other countries recognize Israel as a state but have no diplomatic relations Several countries once had diplomatic relations with Israel but have since broken or suspended them Cuba and Venezuela in Latin America Mauritania in the Arab League Mali and Niger in non Arab Africa the Maldives in South Asia and Iran until the Islamic revolution In addition a number of countries all members of the Arab League that at one time had formal economic ties primarily trade offices with Israel which fell short of full diplomatic relations subsequently severed such ties Morocco Oman Qatar and Tunisia however Morocco renewed ties and established diplomatic relations in 2020 List List of countries which Israel maintains diplomatic relations with nbsp Country Date 1 nbsp Guatemala 15 May 1948 26 2 nbsp Nicaragua 18 May 1948 27 3 nbsp Uruguay 18 May 1948 28 4 nbsp Poland 19 May 1948 29 5 nbsp Hungary 24 May 1948 30 6 nbsp Russia 26 May 1948 31 7 nbsp El Salvador May 1948 32 8 nbsp Romania 11 June 1948 33 9 nbsp Czech Republic 3 July 1948 34 10 nbsp Serbia 25 November 1948 35 11 nbsp Bulgaria 29 November 1948 36 12 nbsp Australia 29 January 1949 37 13 nbsp Dominican Republic January 1949 38 14 nbsp Paraguay January 1949 39 15 nbsp United States 28 March 1949 40 16 nbsp France 11 May 1949 41 17 nbsp United Kingdom 14 May 1949 42 18 nbsp Argentina 31 May 1949 43 19 nbsp Brazil 1949 44 20 nbsp Belgium 15 January 1950 45 21 nbsp Luxembourg 16 January 1950 46 22 nbsp Netherlands 16 January 1950 47 23 nbsp Italy 22 January 1950 48 24 nbsp Honduras January 1950 49 25 nbsp Turkey January 1950 50 26 nbsp Chile 16 May 1950 51 27 nbsp Denmark 12 July 1950 52 28 nbsp Sweden 12 July 1950 53 29 nbsp Norway 19 July 1950 54 30 nbsp Finland 14 November 1950 55 31 nbsp Iceland 10 December 1950 56 32 nbsp New Zealand 17 January 1951 57 33 nbsp Switzerland 25 June 1951 58 34 nbsp Japan 15 May 1952 59 35 nbsp Mexico 1 July 1952 60 nbsp Venezuela suspended 21 November 1952 61 36 nbsp Myanmar 13 July 1953 62 37 nbsp Thailand 28 June 1954 63 38 nbsp Canada 28 July 1954 64 39 nbsp Costa Rica 22 October 1954 65 nbsp Cuba suspended 1954 66 40 nbsp Austria 21 February 1956 67 68 41 nbsp Ecuador 18 June 1957 69 nbsp Colombia suspended 70 1 July 1957 71 42 nbsp Philippines 9 August 1957 72 43 nbsp Liberia 22 August 1957 73 44 nbsp Ghana October 1957 74 45 nbsp Peru 1 January 1958 75 46 nbsp Sri Lanka 1 January 1958 76 47 nbsp Haiti 12 September 1958 77 48 nbsp Cambodia 16 February 1959 78 49 nbsp Guinea 24 August 1959 79 50 nbsp Nepal 1 June 1960 80 nbsp Mali suspended 28 June 1960 81 51 nbsp Democratic Republic of the Congo 30 June 1960 82 52 nbsp Madagascar 1 July 1960 83 53 nbsp Cyprus 17 August 1960 84 54 nbsp Togo September 1960 85 55 nbsp Nigeria 1 October 1960 86 56 nbsp Republic of the Congo 9 November 1960 85 57 nbsp Senegal 10 November 1960 87 58 nbsp Gabon 15 November 1960 85 59 nbsp Chad 10 January 1961 88 nbsp Bolivia suspended 26 April 1961 89 90 60 nbsp Ivory Coast 24 May 1961 88 61 nbsp Sierra Leone 1 June 1961 88 62 nbsp Burkina Faso 5 July 1961 88 63 nbsp Ethiopia 24 October 1961 91 nbsp Niger suspended 9 November 1961 88 64 nbsp Central African Republic 10 November 1961 88 65 nbsp Benin 5 December 1961 88 66 nbsp Tanzania 20 December 1961 92 67 nbsp Trinidad and Tobago January 1962 93 68 nbsp South Korea 10 April 1962 94 69 nbsp Rwanda 1 July 1962 95 70 nbsp Jamaica 29 August 1962 96 71 nbsp Uganda 9 October 1962 97 72 nbsp Burundi 22 December 1962 98 73 nbsp Kenya 10 December 1963 99 74 nbsp Ireland 25 January 1964 100 75 nbsp Malawi 15 July 1964 101 76 nbsp Cameroon 4 September 1964 102 77 nbsp Zambia 17 March 1965 103 78 nbsp Germany 10 May 1965 104 79 nbsp Gambia 3 June 1965 105 nbsp Maldives suspended 29 October 1965 106 80 nbsp Malta December 1965 107 81 nbsp Lesotho 4 October 1966 108 82 nbsp Barbados 29 August 1967 109 83 nbsp Mauritius 23 April 1968 110 84 nbsp Eswatini September 1968 93 85 nbsp Equatorial Guinea 1968 111 86 nbsp Singapore 11 May 1969 112 87 nbsp Fiji 10 October 1970 113 88 nbsp Samoa 30 May 1972 114 89 nbsp Botswana December 1972 115 90 nbsp Bahamas 24 September 1974 116 91 nbsp Grenada January 1975 93 92 nbsp South Africa suspended January 1975 93 90 93 nbsp Suriname 24 February 1976 117 94 nbsp Panama 18 June 1976 118 95 nbsp Portugal 12 May 1977 119 96 nbsp Tonga June 1977 93 97 nbsp Dominica January 1978 93 98 nbsp Papua New Guinea 1 May 1978 120 99 nbsp Saint Lucia January 1979 93 100 nbsp Egypt 26 March 1979 121 101 nbsp Saint Vincent and the Grenadines January 1981 93 102 nbsp Antigua and Barbuda 22 June 1983 122 103 nbsp Saint Kitts and Nevis January 1984 123 104 nbsp Kiribati 21 May 1984 124 105 nbsp Tuvalu July 1984 93 nbsp Belize suspended 11 March 1985 125 90 106 nbsp Spain 17 January 1986 126 107 nbsp Marshall Islands 16 September 1987 127 108 nbsp Federated States of Micronesia 23 November 1988 128 109 nbsp Solomon Islands 1 January 1989 129 110 nbsp Greece 21 May 1990 130 111 nbsp Albania 19 August 1991 131 112 nbsp Mongolia 2 October 1991 132 113 nbsp Ukraine 26 December 1991 133 114 nbsp Latvia 6 January 1992 134 115 nbsp Lithuania 8 January 1992 135 116 nbsp Estonia 9 January 1992 136 117 nbsp India 21 January 1992 137 118 nbsp China 25 January 1992 138 119 nbsp Uzbekistan 21 February 1992 139 120 nbsp Kyrgyzstan 4 March 1992 140 121 nbsp Guyana 9 March 1992 141 122 nbsp Belarus 26 March 1992 142 123 nbsp Tajikistan 26 March 1992 143 124 nbsp Armenia 4 April 1992 144 125 nbsp Azerbaijan 7 April 1992 145 126 nbsp Kazakhstan 10 April 1992 146 127 nbsp Angola 16 April 1992 121 128 nbsp Slovenia 28 April 1992 147 129 nbsp Liechtenstein 5 May 1992 148 130 nbsp Georgia 1 June 1992 149 131 nbsp Moldova 22 June 1992 150 132 nbsp Seychelles 30 June 1992 121 133 nbsp Slovakia 1 January 1993 151 134 nbsp Eritrea 24 May 1993 121 135 nbsp Vietnam 12 July 1993 152 136 nbsp Mozambique 26 July 1993 121 137 nbsp Vanuatu 16 September 1993 153 138 nbsp Turkmenistan 8 October 1993 154 139 nbsp Sao Tome and Principe 16 November 1993 121 140 nbsp Zimbabwe 26 November 1993 121 141 nbsp Laos 6 December 1993 155 142 nbsp Namibia 21 January 1994 121 143 nbsp Guinea Bissau 10 March 1994 121 144 nbsp Andorra 13 April 1994 156 nbsp Holy See 15 June 1994 157 145 nbsp Cape Verde 27 July 1994 121 146 nbsp Palau 2 October 1994 158 147 nbsp Jordan 26 October 1994 159 148 nbsp Nauru December 1994 160 149 nbsp San Marino 30 October 1995 161 150 nbsp North Macedonia 7 December 1995 162 151 nbsp Croatia 4 September 1997 163 152 nbsp Bosnia and Herzegovina 4 September 1997 164 nbsp Mauritania suspended 28 October 1999 165 153 nbsp East Timor May 2002 93 154 nbsp Montenegro 12 July 2006 166 155 nbsp Monaco 30 November 2006 167 nbsp Cook Islands April 2008 168 156 nbsp South Sudan 28 July 2011 169 157 nbsp Bahrain 11 September 2020 170 90 158 nbsp United Arab Emirates 11 September 2020 170 159 nbsp Bhutan 12 December 2020 171 160 nbsp Morocco 22 December 2020 172 nbsp Kosovo 1 February 2021 173 nbsp Niue 3 August 2023 174 No diplomatic relations Member states of the United Nations As of 2023 30 United Nations member states do not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel period of former relations marked in parentheses Africa Algeria Comoros Djibouti Libya Mali 1960 1973 Mauritania 1999 2009 175 Niger 1960 1973 1996 2002 Somalia Tunisia trade relations 1996 2000 Algeria 176 Libya 177 and Somalia 178 179 180 do not recognise Israel Americas Belize 1985 2023 181 182 Bolivia 1950 2009 2019 2023 183 Cuba 1950 1973 184 185 Venezuela 1950 2009 186 East Asia North Korea 187 Does not recognise Israel as a state 188 Middle East Iran 1948 1951 1953 1979 Iraq Kuwait Lebanon Oman trade relations 1996 2000 Qatar trade relations 1996 2009 175 Saudi Arabia Syria Yemen Iran 189 Iraq 190 Kuwait 184 Lebanon 184 Saudi Arabia 184 Syria 184 191 and Yemen 184 do not recognise Israel as a state South and Central Asia Afghanistan Bangladesh Maldives 1965 1974 192 Pakistan Afghanistan 193 Bangladesh 194 and Pakistan 184 do not recognise Israel as a state Southeast Asia Brunei Indonesia 184 194 195 Malaysia 184 None of these countries recognise Israel Despite the lack of diplomatic relations some of these countries accept Israeli passports and acknowledge other indications of Israeli sovereignty Other states nbsp Tzipi Livni shaking hands with Salam Fayyad 2008 Israel has no diplomatic relations with the following states or entities Taiwan Republic of China which recognizes Israel but does not officially conduct relations though there are unofficial relations because of Israel s recognition of the People s Republic of China Other states with limited recognition Abkhazia Northern Cyprus Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Somaliland South Ossetia Transnistria Israel has not recognised the independence of any of these entities Sovereign Military Order of Malta Limited relations Comoros has no official diplomatic ties with Israel but the countries engage in mutual trade 196 Israeli citizens are admitted into North Korea with Israeli passports but like other foreign visitors they are asked to deposit their passport with the local authorities and use specially issued local documents for tourists 197 North Africa and Middle EastSee also Arab League and the Arab Israeli conflict nbsp Recognition of both Israel and Palestinian State Recognition of Palestinian State only Recognition of Palestine with some relations to Israel Recognition of Israel only Recognition of Israel with some relations to Palestine On 1 October 1994 the Persian Gulf states announced their support for a review of the Arab boycott abolishing the secondary and tertiary boycotts against Israel 198 Algeria Main article Algeria Israel relations In the mid 1990s while Israel and North African states slowly started diplomatic relations Algeria remained one of the last countries to consider such a move It was only when Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak met Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika at the funeral of the Moroccan King Hasan II on 25 July 1999 that comments about rapprochement were made Algeria and Israel do not have diplomatic relations Bahrain Main article Bahrain Israel relations In 2011 amid Arab spring uprising Wikileaks cables published on Haaretz revealed some of the hidden relations between Bahraini and Israeli officials In a meeting with the U S ambassador in February 2005 Bahrain s king Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa had bragged about having contact with Israel s national intelligence agency Mossad He indicated that Bahrain is ready to develop relations in other fields as well The king reportedly gave orders that official statements don t use phrases such as enemy and Zionist entity when referring to Israel anymore However he refused the idea of having trade relations saying it was too early and would be postponed until the establishment of an independent Palestine state 199 Both countries agreed to fully normalize relations in September 2020 200 Egypt Main article Egypt Israel relations nbsp Menachem Begin Jimmy Carter and Anwar Sadat at Camp David Israel has had full diplomatic relations with Egypt since the signing of the Egypt Israel peace treaty in 1979 In Israel the 1978 Camp David Accords were supported by 85 of Israelis according to a 2001 poll taken by the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies based in Israel 201 However Egyptian public opinion of Israel is highly negative According to an Egyptian Government 2006 poll of 1 000 Egyptians taken at the time of the 2006 Lebanon War 92 of Egyptians view Israel as an enemy nation 202 203 Egypt has mediated several unofficial ceasefire understandings between Israel and Palestinians especially with the Hamas government in the Gaza strip Iran Main article Iran Israel relations nbsp Iranian minister Reza Saffinia visiting the home of Israeli president Chaim Weizmann 1950 Relations between Israel and Iran have alternated from close political alliances between the two states during the era of the Pahlavi dynasty to open hostility following the rise to power of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini While Iran was the second Muslim majority country to recognize Israel 204 the two states do not currently have diplomatic relations with each other due to Iran s withdrawal of its recognition of Israel The post 1979 Iranian authorities avoid referring to Israel by its name and instead use the terms the Zionist regime or occupied Palestine Iranian passports bear an inscription that says The bearer of this passport is forbidden from traveling to occupied Palestine 205 Due to recent rhetoric between Iran and Israel development of nuclear technology and Iranian funding of the groups Hamas and Hezbollah tensions have risen dramatically between the State of Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran 206 especially after the election of the hardline Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2005 Comments made by Ahmadinejad who has called the Holocaust a myth and for Israel to be wiped off the map 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 were perceived by Israel as threats of destruction 214 215 216 217 A large population of Iranian Jews lives in Israel among them former president of Israel Moshe Katsav former chief of staff Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and former chief of staff Dan Halutz Iraq Main article Iraq Israel relations No diplomatic relations between Israel and Iraq ever existed but the issue of establishing such relations was given some consideration Following the American British led invasion of Iraq in 2003 diplomats had been discussing the possibility of establishing diplomatic relations between Israel and Iraq However then Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said in 2004 that Iraq would not establish ties with Israel 218 Kurdistan Region Main article Israel Kurdistan Region relations In 2006 President of Kurdistan Region Massoud Barzani said It is not a crime to have relations with Israel If Baghdad established diplomatic relations with Israel we could open a consulate in Hewler Kurdistan Israeli television broadcast photographs from the 1960s showing Mustafa Barzani embracing then Israeli defense minister Moshe Dayan In 2004 Israeli officials met with Kurdish political leaders In 2006 the BBC reported that Israel was training Kurdish militias in Iraqi Kurdistan 219 In April 2012 it was alleged that high ranking Kurdish officials had collected the revenues of Iraqi oil that had been smuggled to Israel via the Kurdistan Region 220 Jordan Main article Israel Jordan relations nbsp King Hussein U S President Bill Clinton and Yitzhak Rabin Israel Jordan peace treaty Israel has full diplomatic relations in peace with Jordan since the signing of the Israel Jordan Treaty of Peace in 1994 but relations remain somewhat tense Over half of the Jordanian populations descends from Palestinian refugees who overwhelmingly have negative views of Israel Kuwait Main article Israel Kuwait relations Relations between Israel and Kuwait are generally hostile mainly as part of the Arab Israeli conflict In 2019 Kuwait s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al Jarallah said Kuwait will be the last country to normalize relations with Israel 221 Lebanon Main article Israel Lebanon relations According to Laura Zittrain Eisenberg the author of My Enemy s Enemy the pre state Zionist attention to Lebanon consisted primarily of repeated attempts to establish a political alliance between the Jewish community in Palestine and the Maronite Catholic Community in Lebanon Largely neglected by traditional scholarship on the Arab Israeli condition the Zionist Lebanese relationship from 1900 to 1948 was surprisingly active and amicable Zionist curiosity was naturally piqued by Lebanon an Arab country with a sizable non Muslim population enjoying political predominance During the war of 1975 1990 some right wing militias were Israel s allies and after the assassination of President Bachir Gemayel Israel and Lebanon signed an agreement on 17 May 1983 which was a peace treaty in all but name The Lebanese legislature ratified the treaty by a margin of 80 votes but in a very weak and unstable domestic position president Amine Gemayel abrogated the peace treaty on 5 March 1984 under unrelenting Syrian pressure after the U S Marines withdrew and after Israel had begun withdrawing from Lebanon During the Syrian Occupation of Lebanon 1976 2005 it was highly unlikely that Lebanon would sign a peace treaty with Israel before Syria as Syria s influence on Lebanese politics was strong although Syria has withdrawn from Lebanon the Iran Syria Hezbollah axis remains entrenched through the heavy arms presence During the 90s the success of the First Persian Gulf War created new opportunities for Middle East peacemaking However Lebanon was under the Syrian Occupation which took over the treaties and negotiations In August 2006 after the clash between Hezbollah and Israel Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said that Lebanon would be the last Arab country to make peace with Israel because of the large number of civilians that were killed in the 2006 Lebanon War 222 Since the year 2000 and due to many wars with Hezbollah Israel treats Lebanon as an enemy state 223 although it is considering the possibility of a non aggression pact In 2008 a Pew Research Center survey found that negative views concerning Jews were most common in Lebanon with 97 of Lebanese having unfavorable opinion of Jews 224 In a 2011 survey again by the Pew Research Center all of the Muslim majority Middle Eastern countries polled held strongly negative views of Jews In the questionnaire only 3 of Lebanese reported having a positive view of Jews 225 Morocco Main article Israel Morocco relations Moroccan expeditionary forces fought alongside a coalition of Arab countries in the Yom Kippur War against Israel 226 In 1986 King Hassan II invited then Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres for talks becoming the second Arab leader to host an Israeli leader after Anwar Sadat Following the September 1993 signing of the Israeli Palestinian Declaration of Principles Morocco accelerated its economic ties and political contacts with Israel In September 1994 Morocco and Israel announced the opening of bilateral liaison offices 227 When the king died in 1999 then prime minister Ehud Barak and the Moroccan born foreign minister David Levy flew to Rabat for his funeral 228 The foreign offices were closed in 2000 following sustained Israeli Palestinian violence In September 2016 Moroccan King Mohammed VI sent his personal adviser Andre Azulai who is Jewish to attend the state funeral of former Israeli Prime Minister and President Shimon Peres 229 Prior to the establishment of formal relations Israeli tourism to Morocco was encouraged by the World Federation of Moroccan Jewry a non governmental private Jewish organization 230 On 10 December 2020 Morocco agreed to establish diplomatic relations with Israel in exchange for the United States supporting Morocco s claim on Western Sahara On the same day the United States agreed to the sale of sophisticated drones to Morocco 231 Oman Main article Israel Oman relations In 1996 Oman and Israel agreed to exchange trade representation offices 232 Qatar Main article Israel Qatar relations Qatar and Israel do not currently have diplomatic relations although they maintained economic relations between 1996 and 2000 Qatar is a major financial supporter of the Palestinian Sunni Islamic fundamentalist group Hamas Saudi Arabia Main article Israel Saudi Arabia relations In 2005 Saudi Arabia announced the end of its ban on Israeli goods and services mostly due to its application to the World Trade Organization where one member country cannot have a total ban on another However as of August 2006 update the Saudi boycott was not cancelled 233 234 In recent years Saudi Arabia has changed its viewpoint concerning the validity of negotiating with Israel It calls for Israel s withdrawal from territory occupied in June 1967 in order for peace with the Arab states then Crown Prince Abdullah extended a multilateral peace proposal based on withdrawal in 2002 At that time Israel did not respond to the offer In 2007 Saudi Arabia again officially supported a resolution of the Arab Israeli conflict which supported a full right of Palestinian refugees to move to Israel which generated more official negative reactions from Israeli authorities Syria Main articles Israel Syria relations and Iran Israel proxy conflict Syria s relations with Israel are very poor due to the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights and Syria s close ties with the anti Israel militant group Hezbollah and with the Islamic Republic of Iran Since 2004 Syria has accepted the import of apples from farmers in the Golan Heights territory that it claims through the Quneitra crossing This was a result of the ongoing Israeli refusal to accept apples from Golan farmers reportedly due to over supply which led to a plea by the farmers to the Syrian government to accept their produce before it became spoiled in order to prevent economic collapse In 2010 some 10 000 tons of apples grown by Druze farmers in the Golan Heights were sent to Syria 235 Tunisia Main article Israel Tunisia relations Tunisia participated in the Yom Kippur War sending 1 000 2 000 troops to fight alongside a coalition of Arab countries against Israel 236 The relations worsened further in the early 2000s when the Second Intifada began and on 22 October 2000 the state radio of Tunisia declared that President Ben Ali had decided to break all diplomatic ties with Israel following the violence in the Palestinian controlled territories 237 On 21 October Ben Ali had issued a strong condemnation of the violation of the holy shrine of Al Quds Al Sharif the repeated Israeli provocations the use of weapons against innocent children and defenseless people and the racist persecution of Arab Palestinian citizens which constitute flagrant violations of sanctities and human rights and a blatant aggression against all human values and practices On 22 October itself Israel expressed its disappointment at the Tunisian decision to sever relations and to close the Tunisian Interest Office in Tel Aviv and the Israeli Interest Office in Tunis Expressing surprise the Israeli Foreign Ministry said It appears that Tunisia has elected to renounce its potential role as a bridge for dialogue between Israel and its neighbours thereby harming the critical effort to promote regional peace 238 Turkey Main article Israel Turkey relations nbsp Turkish firefighting plane sent to aid Israel 2010 Turkey was the first Muslim majority nation to formally recognize the State of Israel 204 only one year after the Declaration of the Jewish State 28 March 1949 Israel was a major supplier of arms to Turkey Military strategic and diplomatic cooperation between Turkey and Israel were given high priority by the governments of both countries which shared concerns with respect to regional instabilities in the Middle East Relations have been strained since the turn of the 20th to 21st century as a result of the political decline in Turkey of forces based on the secular Kemalist ideology and the corresponding rise of the Justice and Development Party AK party of prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan In February 2006 relations between Turkey and Israel suffered when Turkey hosted a delegation from the Palestinian group Hamas although on a formal visit to Turkey in 2006 the Israeli then Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni stated that Bilateral relations between Turkey and Israel are excellent Not only on a leader to leader level but also on a people to people level In January 2009 the Turkish government s condemnation of the 2008 09 Gaza War severely strained relations between the two countries Erdogan harshly criticized Israel s conduct in Gaza at the World Economic Forum conference in Davos Switzerland in early 2009 239 240 Relations between the two countries were further strained after the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid 241 On 2 September 2011 Turkey downgraded ties with Israel to second secretary level and suspended military co operation between the countries 242 Turkey demanded an apology from Israel over the flotilla incident which Israel was interested in providing but Turkey also demanded Israel end its blockade of the Hamas run Gaza Strip which Israel has stated is a non possibility After some diplomatic activity by U S President Barack Obama Israeli PM Netanyahu did issue an apology over the flotilla events and Israel and Turkey agreed on financial compensation in return Turkey dropped its demand that the Gaza Strip blockade end and also removed state support from several lawsuits in Turkey that demanded the arrest and trial of Israeli military and political leaders who were in charge in 2010 during the flotilla incident Turkey s numerous regional problems ranging from the coup that ousted the Muslim Brotherhood regime in Egypt in 2013 and the increasingly disruptive effects of its border from the Syrian conflict were the main reason for this general improvement in relations as Ankara wanted more stability and allies than it had when Erdogan had initiated his plans years earlier to move Turkey away from the pro Israel and generally pro West and or pro EU camp and improve ties to groups like Hamas and countries like Iran The Leviathan gas field in the Eastern Mediterranean is a further source of friction Israel is planning its exploitation in partnership with Cyprus a state that Turkey does not recognize because of the Cyprus dispute However in 2015 Turkey and Israel began to work on diplomatic relations by holding a secret meeting and events over the last 2 years have brought Leviathan into position as a project that will help both Ankara and Jerusalem and make Nicoisia into less of a potential problem United Arab Emirates Main article Israel United Arab Emirates relations Following the assassination of Mahmoud Al Mabhouh in the UAE in 2010 allegedly by Israel the UAE announced that travelers suspected of being Israeli would not be admitted even if using a foreign passport 243 Prior to August 13 2020 UAE had not recognized Israel as a state and the two countries lacked official diplomatic or economic relations Prior to the announcement of the 2020 agreement relations had improved to the extent that Israel opened an office in Abu Dhabi albeit only as a mission to the International Renewable Energy Agency 244 245 Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced a deal to establish diplomatic relations on August 13 2020 246 In July 2021 The United Arab Emirates officially opened an embassy in Israel becoming only the third majority Arab nation to have full diplomatic relations with Israel 247 Yemen Main article Israel Yemen relations Yemen and Israel do not have diplomatic relations and contacts between the two countries are very tense People with an Israeli passport or any passport with an Israeli stamp cannot enter Yemen and Yemen is defined as an enemy state by Israeli law Sub Saharan AfricaIsrael has diplomatic relations with 42 of the 44 Sub Saharan African states that are not members of the Arab League including a number of Muslim majority states Angola Main article Angola Israel relations Relations between Israel and Angola are based on trade and foreign policy In 2005 President Jose Eduardo dos Santos visited Israel In March 2006 the trade volume between the two countries amounted to 400 million The Israeli ambassador to Angola is Avraham Benjamin Botswana Main article Botswana Israel relations The two countries established relations in 1993 Neither has a formal consulate or embassy in the other country but the two governments have cooperated on several development initiatives Six Israeli centered diamond companies have operations in Botswana 248 Cameroon Main article Israel Cameroon relations H E Mr Henri Etoundi Essomba Ambassador of Cameroon to Israel in 2012 serves as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Israel 249 Relations were cut off in the wake of the Yom Kippur war but restored in 1986 and Cameroon and Israel now have many military and political ties with Israel training and arming Cameroon s rapid reaction forces 250 and Cameroon voting against many anti Israel resolutions at the UN 251 Chad Main article Chad Israel relations In November 2018 Chadian President Idriss Deby paid a visit to Israel 252 In January 2019 Prime Minister Netanyahu paid a visit to Chad and both nations re established diplomatic relations 253 In February 2023 Chadian President Mahamat Deby visited Israel and opened a Chad embassy in the Ramat Gan town in Israel 254 Djibouti Although Israel does not have diplomatic or official trade relations with Djibouti a member of the Arab League following a meeting between officials of both countries in September 1995 plans were then announced to open liaison offices in the respective countries capitals prior to the possible establishment of diplomatic relations between the two states 255 However such relations did not materialize Eritrea Main article Eritrea Israel relations Eritrea developed relations with Israel shortly after gaining its independence in 1993 despite protests among Arab countries Israeli Eritrean relations are close The president of Eritrea has visited Israel for medical treatment 256 However Eritrea condemned Israeli military action during the 2008 2009 Israel Gaza conflict 257 Israeli Eritrean ties are complicated by Israel s close ties to Ethiopia Eswatini Israel established diplomatic relations with Eswatini in September 1968 1 immediately following that country achieving independence from the United Kingdom Eswatini was one of only three Sub Saharan African states the others being Lesotho and Malawi that continued to maintain full diplomatic relations with Israel in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War in 1973 and has never severed such ties 258 Ethiopia Main article Ethiopia Israel relations In Africa Ethiopia is Israel s main and closest ally in the continent due to common political religious and security interests 259 However relations were severed between the years 1973 and 1989 Many towns in Ethiopia are named after biblical Israel settlements including Ethiopia s third largest city of Nazret Adama Israel also provides expertise to Ethiopia on irrigation projects Thousands of Ethiopian Jews Beta Israel live in Israel In 2012 Israel appointed a Beta Israeli of Ethiopian origin Beylanesh Zevadia as ambassador to Ethiopia 260 Ghana Main article Ghana Israel relations Diplomatic relations with Ghana were established immediately following Ghanaian independence in 1957 Agreement on technical cooperation was concluded on 25 May 1962 On 24 May 1968 a trade agreement was concluded A cultural cooperation agreement was concluded on 1 March 1973 Relations were broken at the initiative of the government of Ghana on 28 October 1973 following the Yom Kippur war 261 Improvement in relations followed Israeli attempts to prevent Ghanaian support for the Palestinian Authority which led to a state visit to Ghana by Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Liberman in September 2009 During that visit a bilateral agreement for agricultural cooperation was signed 262 263 Diplomatic relations were restored in September 2011 264 Guinea Diplomatic relations between Israel and the Republic of Guinea were established in 1958 but were strained due to the Cold War as the Israeli government supported US policy while the government of Guinea took a pro Soviet line These relations were broken on 5 June 1967 when war broke out between Israel and Egypt in the Six Day War After Israel s support to Guinea during its fight against the Ebola virus 265 relations between the two states were restored on 20 July 2016 266 Kenya Main article Israel Kenya relations Diplomatic relations were established in December 1963 Israel has an embassy in Nairobi and Kenya has an embassy in Tel Aviv In 2003 Kenya requested Israel s help in developing a national solar energy program 267 In 2006 Israel sent an 80 person search and rescue team to Kenya to save people trapped in rubble when a multistory building collapsed 268 Following the 2007 Kenyan presidential election Israel donated medicine to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret 269 Lesotho Lesotho was one of only three Sub Saharan African states the others being Eswatini and Malawi that maintained full diplomatic relations with Israel in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War in 1973 258 Liberia nbsp Liberian President William Tubman with David Ben Gurion in 1962 Main article Israel Liberia relations Liberia was one of the United Nations member states to vote in favor of establishing a Jewish state in Palestine in 1947 270 Israel and Liberia established relations in the late 1950s The administration of William Tolbert severed ties with the Israeli government in 1973 in response to the Yom Kippur War but they were re established in 1983 by Samuel Doe who succeeded Tolbert via coup 271 272 Madagascar Both countries have a number of bilateral agreements in force 273 Malawi Main article Israel Malawi relations Israel established diplomatic relations with Malawi in July 1964 1 immediately following that country achieving independence from the United Kingdom Malawi was one of only three Sub Saharan African states the others being Eswatini and Lesotho that continued to maintain full diplomatic relations with Israel in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War in 1973 and has never severed such ties 258 Mauritania Main article Israel Mauritania relations Mauritania declared war on Israel as a result of the 1967 Six Day War 274 following the Arab League s collective decision although Mauritania was not formally admitted to the League until November 1973 275 Mautritania did not reverse that declaration until at least 1991 274 Mauritania did not abide by moves to recognise Israel s right to exist in the same way as most other Arab countries later did staying true to the 1967 Khartoum Resolution which in reference to Israel stated no peace no recognition no negotiable Little public information exists and an account of Israeli Mauritanian relations must be inferred from a number of indirect known factors such as behind the scenes meetings between Mauritania and Israel in 1995 and 1996 said to be at the instigation of Mauritania s President Ould Taya 276 the establishment of unofficial interest sections in the respective Spanish embassies in 1996 in the two capital cities 276 leading to the exchange of diplomatic representatives in each other s countries from 27 October 1999 277 It is inferred from this evidence that Mauritania had reversed its declaration by then On 6 March 2009 the Israeli diplomatic delegation to Mauritania left after nine years of diplomatic ties following a demand from the Mauritanian authorities to close the Israeli embassy in Nouakchott within 48 hours 278 The Mauritanian delegation to Israel left earlier without sending official notice to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs 279 Mauritius Both countries have signed many bilateral agreements 273 Namibia Main article Israel Namibia relations Niger Main article Israel Niger relations Nigeria Main article Israel Nigeria relations Israel and Nigeria established diplomatic relations in 1960 280 In 1973 Nigeria broke off contacts with Israel but in May 1992 bilateral relations were restored 1 Since April 1993 Israel has maintained an embassy in Abuja and Nigeria has maintained an embassy in Tel Aviv 1 Many Nigerians go on religious pilgrimage to Israel 281 Rwanda Relations with Rwanda were established soon following independence of the African state They were broken by the government of Rwanda on 8 October 1973 during the Yom Kippur war 282 In January 2019 transportation ministers of Israel and Rwanda announced plans to inaugurate regular Air Rwanda flights to Israel 283 Then in April 2019 Israel opened an embassy in Kigali 284 Senegal Relations with Senegal were established soon following independence of the African state They were broken by the government of Senegal on 28 October 1973 following the Yom Kippur war 261 Israel and Senegal on June 4 2017 announced the resumption of full diplomatic relations which had been frozen after Senegal cosponsored a UN Security Council against Israeli settlements 285 Israel returned its ambassador to Senegal and Senegal backed Israel s candidacy for observer status at the African Union In a trilateral partnership between Israel Italy and Senegal Israeli drip irrigation systems are being installed to help farmers in 12 districts of rural Senegal 286 South Africa Main article Israel South Africa relations nbsp Danny Ayalon with South African Foreign Affairs DG Matjila The Union of South Africa was one of only four Commonwealth nations to vote in favour of the 1947 UN partition resolution which led to the establishment of the State of Israel South Africa was one of the first states to recognize Israel diplomatic relations between Israel and South Africa were established in 1948 After the Sharpeville massacre of 1960 Israel became a harsh critic of apartheid leading to a break in its relations with Pretoria After 1967 Israel and South Africa became strategic partners again and this lasted until 1987 when Israel joined the West in forcefully opposing apartheid Since the end of apartheid South Africa s new government has been cold toward Israel and critical of Israel s policies towards Palestinians but has nevertheless ignored calls from pro Palestinian South African groups to sever relations between the two countries As a result of the Israel Hamas war the African National Congress passed a motion calling on the government to close its embassy in Tel Aviv in November 2023 287 The South African governmental cabinet also called on the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and recalled the country s ambassador to Israel and withdrew all the country s diplomatic staff from Israel 288 South Sudan Main article Israel South Sudan relations Israel recognized the Republic of South Sudan on 10 July 2011 and offered the new state economic help following its declaration of independence the previous day from the mainly Arab Muslim north Sudan 289 On 15 July 2011 South Sudan declared its intention to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel 290 and on 28 July 2011 it was announced that full diplomatic ties had been established between the two countries 291 Sudan Main article Israel Sudan relations On 23 October 2020 Sudan agreed to normalise relations with Israel in return for the Trump Administration removing Sudan from the United States list of state sponsors of terrorism unblocking economic aid and investment in Sudan 292 293 Togo In May 2009 Israel and Togo signed a pact for cooperation in the economic agricultural and educational fields with each other 294 Uganda Main article Israel Uganda relations In a joint Israeli Ugandan project a professor from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem s Faculty of Agriculture conducted a survey of Lake Victoria with a Ugandan colleague from Makerere University They found that Nile perch introduced by the British sixty years ago have decimated native fish populations leading to malnutrition in the lakeside communities 295 She helped to set up artificial fish ponds to raise carp which had disappeared from the local diet The United States Agency for International Development sponsored the digging of the ponds and sent villagers to Kibbutz HaMa apil in Emek Hefer to learn spawning techniques Graduates of the training program established carp farms 295 Zambia Both countries have a number of bilateral agreements in force 273 Zimbabwe Main article Israel Zimbabwe relations Abel Muzorewa the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Rhodesia visited Israel on 21 October 1983 He urged Robert Mugabe to establish diplomatic relations saying his political policies hurt Zimbabwe s agriculture and technology industries In March 2002 an Israeli company sold riot control vehicles to the Mugabe government shortly before the nation s 2002 elections 296 AsiaIn addition to Turkey and Azerbaijan Israel has diplomatic relations with 5 non Arab Muslim states in Asia Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan Afghanistan Main article Afghanistan Israel relations Afghanistan currently has no relations with Israel The Monarchy of Afghanistan did have spiritual relations with Israel whether in secret or Tribal rules in place The Afghan Royal Family trace their origins to King Saul of Israel Afghanistan was the only Muslim country that did not revoke citizenship when Jews also known as descendants of Judah migrated to Israel Rabbi Eliyahu Avichail has published numerous books linking the Afghans to the Lost Tribes of Israel Bangladesh Main article Bangladesh Israel relations Both the Israeli government and general public supported the Bangladesh Liberation War After the independence of Bangladesh in 1971 Israel offered to recognise the new born country in as early as 1972 but Bangladesh immediately rejected the offer 297 298 Bangladesh does not recognize Israel as legitimate and officially forbids its citizens to travel to Israel by putting Valid for travel to all countries except Israel on Bangladeshi passports Bangladesh supports a sovereign Palestinian state and an end to Israel s illegal occupation of Palestine 299 Cambodia Main article Cambodia Israel relations Israel established diplomatic ties with Cambodia in 1960 Ties were cut in 1975 due to the rise of the Khmer Rouge The ties were restored in 1993 Israel has no embassy in Cambodia and Cambodia has no embassy in Israel Instead the Israeli embassy in Bangkok Thailand is accredited to Cambodia Cambodian students study agriculture in Israel China Main article China Israel relations nbsp Israeli President Reuven Rivlin meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Liu Landung on a visit to Israel On 9 January 1950 the Israeli government extended recognition to the People s Republic of China but diplomatic relations were not established until January 1992 Since 1992 Israel and China have developed increasingly close strategic economic military cultural and technological links with each other 300 301 302 303 Israel maintains an embassy in Beijing and is planning to open a new consulate in Chengdu its third in Mainland China 304 China is Israel s third largest trading partner globally and largest trading partner in East Asia 305 306 Trade volume increased from 50 million in 1992 to over 10 billion in 2013 307 Shared commonalities and similarities between the cultures and values of the two nations with ancient roots dating back thousands of years as well as convergence of interests have made the two countries natural partners 308 309 8 310 303 311 312 In addition China is one of the few countries in the world to concurrently maintain warm relations with Israel the Palestinians and the Muslim world at large 7 China s status as a potential world power has prompted Israel to maintain closer ties with China by integrating China s global influence with Israel s pragmatic economic management political stability and its regional strategic importance in the Middle East 8 9 10 308 309 Beijing has appreciated Israel s political stability and diplomatic ingenuity and sees the Jewish state as one of the regional pillars for securing China s influence in the Middle East and the entire world 10 China and Israel have developed close strategic military links with each other Bilateral military relations have evolved from an initial Chinese policy of secret non official ties to a close strategic partnership with the modern and militarily powerful Israel 303 Israel and China began extensive military cooperation as early as the 1980s even though no formal diplomatic relations existed 313 314 315 Israel has provided China with military assistance expertise and technology According to a report from the United States China Economic and Security Review Commission Israel ranks second only to Russia as a weapons system provider to China and as a conduit for sophisticated cutting edge military technology followed by France and Germany Israel was ready to sell China the Phalcon an Israeli airborne early warning radar system AWACS until the United States forced it to cancel the deal 316 317 Some estimate that Israel sold arms worth US 4 billion to China in this period 313 314 China has looked to Israel for the arms and military technology it cannot acquire from the United States and Russia 9 Israel is now China s second largest foreign supplier of arms after Russia China has purchased a wide array of military equipment and technology including communications satellites 313 China is a vital market for Israel s aerospace and defense industry 313 Due to Israel s recognition of China Israel has also limited its cooperation with Taiwan in order to foster closer ties with Mainland China 313 nbsp Benjamin Netanyahu and Matan Vilnai on a 2013 bilateral visit in China Since the establishment of diplomatic relations cultural exchange has been a major component of bilateral relations as both sides recognize the importance of creating a strong foundation based on their ancient and rich histories 318 China s receptive and friendly embrace of the Jewish people on its soil has been one of affectionate sympathy as the Chinese have developed a favorable view of Jews admiring them for their contributions to humanity their ability to survive the sharing of Chinese values such as family frugality hard work and education and being products of ancient civilizations have been an impetus towards the long and enduring friendship between the Chinese and Jewish peoples 319 309 308 Shared affinities and similar cultural commonalities has not only been an impetus for the close bonds between China and Israel but has also created a symbol of brotherhood between the two communities 308 320 Though Israel established diplomatic relations with China in 1992 the ties between the Chinese and Jewish people remain centuries old in addition to Israel and China being products of ancient civilizations dating back thousands of years 319 321 The cultural similarities between the Chinese and Jewish civilizations with both nations originating thousands of years ago have drawn the two countries closer together making the two countries natural partners in the international community Chinese Jews have been a major impetus in maintaining the strong nexus between the Chinese and Jewish civilizations 322 8 308 Jews remain a small minority in China but unlike many parts of the world Jews have historically lived in China without any instances of antisemitism from the Han majority populace contributing to mutual respect and admiration between the two peoples 319 309 323 324 With the intrinsic affinity that the Chinese people feel for the Jews relations between the two communities have been mutually close harmonious and friendly due to shared common cultural similarities between the two peoples resulted Jews enjoying equal rights and coexisting peacefully alongside the mainstream Han Chinese populace with instances of Jews assimilating into the Han Chinese community through intermarriage 309 325 326 327 328 329 322 330 8 On a geopolitical scale China has sought to maintain close relations with the Jewish state as Israel s regional importance stability and influence in an otherwise volatile region has been an important asset for the expansion of China s influence in the Middle East and the entire world 10 Shared commonalities and similarities between the cultures and values of the two nations ancient roots as well as convergence of interests have driven the two countries closer with respect to scientific economic diplomatic and cultural ties 308 309 331 312 China is one of Israel s closest economic allies in East Asia where both countries have placed considerable importance on maintaining a strategic and economic relationship 300 332 303 333 The economic synergy has served the two respective countries greatly where Israel s global technological prowess combined with China s global economic influence industrial manufacturing capabilities and marketing expertise made cooperation between the two nations inevitable 308 China including Hong Kong is Israel s second top export destination after the United States and has been the top market for Israeli exports in East Asia 308 334 335 China is also Israel s third largest trading partner and export market after the United States and the European Union with China being Israel s largest export market in East Asia 308 336 Israel has sought China s enormous global influence on world affairs large consumer market broad industrial manufacturing scale and burgeoning economic dynamism while China has sought Israel as a powerhouse of advanced technological wizardry and a wellspring of entrepreneurial acumen leveraging each other s complementary capabilities and resources 308 309 337 335 338 China has sought Israel s technology to increase its international economic competitiveness and risk management With the advice and experience of Jewish entrepreneurs innovators and inventors from the high technology sectors China has utilized Israel s indispensable economic and technological contributions to foster its long term economic development 339 China has also expressed desire for Israel s advanced technologies particularly in fields related to agriculture telecommunications and defense 308 The scientific and technological advancements made by Israel have led many Chinese politicians to respect the country s ingenuity and creative inventiveness because they know of the contributions Israel has made to its economy Israeli agricultural techniques most notably drip irrigation and solar energy technologies are seen as crucial to China s economic development 8 339 340 Throughout Israel s early economic history many Israeli startup companies were acquired by major U S and Western European corporations Since the 2010s China and Israel enhanced bilateral economic ties with China connecting both Chinese and Israeli businessmen and investors to invest in each other s economies respectively Chinese economic cooperation with Israel has seen substantial Chinese investment of more than US 15 billion in the Israeli economy spawning seed capital in Israeli startup companies as well as the acquisition of Israeli companies by major Chinese corporations that incorporate Israel s know how to help the invigorate the development of the modern Chinese economy more efficiently China now ranks second after the United States in collaboration with Israeli high tech firms that are backed by Israel s Office of the Chief Scientist 341 Major Chinese firms such as Fosun ChemChina Brightfood Horizons Ventures and China Everbright have invested significant amounts of financial capital and resources across numerous Israeli industries 342 Chinese businessmen and major Chinese corporations hold Israel s business economic and entrepreneurial acumen and technological expertise with high esteem and have sought to integrate Israel s know how with China s marketing proficiency industrial manufacturing capacity and aptitude for large consumer market scaling 343 342 344 Hong Kong Main article Israel Hong Kong relations Israel and Hong Kong have full diplomatic ties as part of Israel s diplomatic ties with China Israel has a consulate in the city while Hong Kong is represented in Israel by the Chinese embassy in Tel Aviv India Main article India Israel relations nbsp Indian and Israeli flags in New Delhi during Ariel Sharon s visit September 2003 India established diplomatic relations with the State of Israel in 1992 and has since become Israel s strongest ally in Asia 345 The two countries cooperate in anti terrorist activities in the Middle East and Southern Asia Israel is India s second largest arms provider and India is Israel s principal arms market and the trade volume between the two countries has increased significantly in the past few years 346 Co operation has taken place in the space sector as well with India launching Israeli satellites India became the top source market for Israel from Asia in 2010 with 41 000 tourist arrivals in that year 347 Israel and India share intelligence on terrorist groups They have developed close defense and security ties since establishing diplomatic relations in 1991 In 2009 Israel overtook Russia as India s biggest arms supplier the U S even gave Israel approval to sell the Phalcon to India after earlier forcing Jerusalem to cancel a similar deal with China India has bought more than 5 billion worth of Israeli equipment since 2002 In addition Israel is training Indian military units and discussing an arrangement to give Indian commandos instruction in counter terrorist tactics and urban warfare 348 In December 2008 Israel and India signed a memorandum to set up an Indo Israel Legal Colloquium to facilitate discussions and exchange programs between judges and jurists of the two countries According to an international opinion survey conducted in 2009 on behalf of the Israeli Foreign Ministry India is the most pro Israel country in the world 349 350 India Israel relationship has been very close and warm under the premiership of Narendra Modi since 2014 In 2017 he was the first ever Prime Minister of India to visit Israel 351 352 India was the largest arms customer of Israel in 2017 Defence relations between the two countries are longstanding 353 Indonesia Main article Indonesia Israel relations nbsp Indonesia purchased over 30 Douglas A 4 Skyhawks from Israel in the early 1980s despite no recognition or diplomatic relations 354 In 2012 Indonesia agreed to informally upgrade its relations with Israel and to open a consulate in Ramallah headed by a diplomat with the rank of ambassador who will also unofficially serve as his country s ambassador for contacts with Israel The move which was agreed upon after five years of sensitive deliberations represents a de facto upgrading of relations between Israel and the world s most populous Muslim country Indonesia has formally presented the move to open a West Bank consulate as a demonstration of its support for Palestinian independence In fact while the ambassador ranked diplomat will be accredited to the Palestinian Authority PLO a significant portion of his work will be in dealings with Israel and the office will fulfill substantial diplomatic duties as well as consular responsibilities Israel and Indonesia quietly maintain trade security and other relations Israelis can get visas for Bali in Singapore while many Indonesians come to Israel as pilgrims 355 Japan nbsp The Museum of Japanese Art Israel Main article Israel Japan relations On 15 May 1952 diplomatic relations were established with Japan at a Legation level However the Japanese government refrained from appointing a Minister Plenipotentiary to Israel until 1955 Relations between the two states were distant at first but after 1958 no break occurred despite the Arab oil embargo on several countries including Japan Kazakhstan Main article Israel Kazakhstan relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 April 1992 The embassy of Israel in Kazakhstan opened in August 1992 The embassy of Kazakhstan in Israel opened in May 1996 Israel has an embassy in Astana and Kazakhstan maintains an embassy in Tel Aviv Malaysia Main article Israel Malaysia relations Israel and Malaysia do not maintain diplomatic relations and Malaysian passports do not allow entry into Israel However Malaysia and Israel has been engaged in trade relations in 2011 Israel exported goods to Malaysia worth 716 4 million and imported goods worth 93 6 million 356 A report compiled by the European Commission indicated that in 2010 Malaysia ranked 15th among Israel s major trade partners accounting for 0 8 667 6 million of Israel s trade in that year 357 Maldives Main article Israel Maldives relations The Maldives established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1965 and severed them in 1974 192 In 2009 under president Mohamed Nasheed the Maldives signed cooperation agreements with Israel on tourism health and education and culture 358 In 2010 the Israeli government sent a team of eye doctors to treat patients and train local medical personnel in the Maldives 359 However the renewed relationship did not develop into full diplomatic relations 359 360 In July 2014 under president Abdulla Yameen the Maldives terminated the cooperation agreements with Israel and announced a boycott of Israeli products as Israel launched a military operation in Gaza Foreign minister Dunya Maumoon also announced that the Maldives would fully support Palestinians at international forums such as the United Nations Human Rights Council and offer them humanitarian aid 361 Mongolia In October 1991 the official relationship of Mongolia and Israel began Ariel Sharon visited in Mongolia in 2001 when he was minister in the Likud government Israelis wishing to enter Mongolia are exempt from arming a visa in advance The Mongolian immigration authorities tend to provide visitors to the country a 30 days visa on their arrival One can extend the visa fee and the extension is at the discretion of the authorities An academic delegation from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem visited the Mongolian National University in August 2010 During the visit an agreement was signed for cooperation between universities In 2012 the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon visited and signed an agreement with the Mongolian Minister of Education which included collaboration between universities and institutions of higher education in which Mongolians will learn about Israel and the Holocaust and Israel will learn about the heritage and history of Mongolia It was also agreed on expanding ties between the two countries and embassies Myanmar Main article Israel Myanmar relations nbsp U Nu and Moshe Dayan in 1955 Myanmar also known as Burma was one of the first countries to recognize Israel and establish diplomatic relations with Israel Myanmar has also become one of Israel s strongest allies in the region in terms of both technical assistance and also the much debated and rumored military links Premiers from both sides such as U Nu and David Ben Gurion made state visits to each other s countries in the 1950s 362 363 Myanmar sends agriculture researchers to Israel for training This was further cemented in Israel s aid assistance during the Cyclone Nargis disaster of May 2008 Nepal Main article Israel Nepal relations nbsp Abba Eban and the King of Nepal at Weizmann Institute 1958 Israel Nepal relations first established in 1960 are based on mutual security concerns 364 Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala Prime Minister of Nepal from 1959 to 1960 had a strongly pro Israel foreign policy King Mahendra visited Israel in 1963 and maintained Koirala s special relationship Until the 1990s Nepal was the only South Asian country to have diplomatic ties with Israel 365 Nepal is one of the few Asian countries to have consistently supported Israel at international forums and at the UN Nepal has maintained diplomatic relations and continues to support the right of Israel to exist within secure and internationally recognized boundaries Nepal voted in favour of Security Council Resolutions 242 1967 and 338 1973 which upheld the right of all the states in the region to live in peace Nepal has also welcomed every initiative from whatever quarter that seeks to resolve the Middle East problems like the Camp David Accord signed between Egypt and Israel in 1978 and the renewed peace process sponsored time to time by countries like the USA After the 2015 Nepal earthquake Israel was one of the first to send aid to Nepal Israel sent a delegation of 264 people for Search amp Rescue missions and over 95 tons of equipment including a field hospital It is estimated that about 12 000 Nepalese foreign workers are residing in Israel most of whom are women working as caregivers North Korea Main article Israel North Korea relations North Korea does not recognise the state of Israel denouncing it as an imperialist satellite 188 Pakistan Main article Israel Pakistan relations nbsp A Pakistani passport not valid for travel to Israel Israel and Pakistan do not have diplomatic relations with each other and Pakistani passports say This passport is valid for all countries of the World except Israel Israeli authorities told a traveller that Pakistanis could apply for a visa and that they would issue a paper visa and put the entry and exit stamps on it 366 Some Israeli leaders have expressed the belief that should diplomatic relations with Pakistan be established then Pakistan could serve as a bridge between Israel and the Muslim world 367 In 2008 the Israeli Foreign minister stated that Israel considers Pakistan as its biggest strategic threat in light of concern over the increasing Taliban threat in Pakistan 368 In the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks in India there was an attack on the Nariman House Jewish community centre Six people among them four Israeli citizens including a Jewish rabbi and his pregnant wife were killed with some of them being tortured before being killed The Islamic terrorists had illegally come from Pakistan reportedly on the instructions of Pakistan Army s Inter Services Intelligence 369 Philippines Main article Israel Philippines relations On 29 November 1947 the Philippines a U S territory until 1946 was the only Southeast Asian nation at the time to support the partition resolution at the United Nations General Assembly recommending a Jewish State in Palestine 370 Israel and the Philippines established full diplomatic relationships in 1957 Embassies were opened in Tel Aviv and Manila in 1962 The two countries have enjoyed warm relations in all spheres In 1997 the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding MOU institutionalizing the bilateral political dialogue between the respective foreign ministries The political dialog is accompanied by cooperation in trade and economy culture technical assistance science academic exchanges tourism etc There are between 37 155 and 50 000 Filipino workers in Israel as of 2004 371 372 Singapore Main article Israel Singapore relations Singapore and Israel have maintained strong and mutually beneficial bilateral relations that are characterized by a close and amiable bond and amicable rapport where the two nations have consistently cultivated a closely knit and cordial relationship ever since their respective establishments This is in part due to both countries perception of themselves as diminutive yet affluent sovereign states and regional economic powerhouses surrounded by neighboring Islamic countries characterized by their comparatively underdeveloped societies political instabilities and economic struggles that have remained hostile to their continued existence in which oftentimes they have an uneasy relationship with 373 374 Following Singapore s sudden and unexpected independence after being unilaterally ejected from Malaysia in 1963 Singapore appealed to the international community for technical assistance and military aid Israel responded by assisting the Southeast Asian city state with the establishment of Singapore s armed forces 375 Both countries formally established diplomatic relations in May 1969 although unofficial and discrete relations were already established several years prior particularly with regards to military activities Singapore and Israel are also known to share a special relationship where they both enjoy an extensive bilateral security partnership with Israeli and Singaporean arms contractors such as Israel Aerospace Industries and ST Engineering collaborating and engaging in joint venture developments and facilitating a large level of arms trade between the two countries 376 377 Over the years Israel has continued to advise Singapore on an array of military affairs ranging from night operations to aviation psychology The defense and intelligence establishments of both countries conduct routine exchanges of information and a small number of Israeli Defense Force officers serve in staff appointments within the Singapore Ministry of Defence MINDEF 378 In 2012 it was reported that Singapore expressed interest in purchasing several Iron Dome defence system units and a deal took place in 2016 379 In other areas within the purview of Singaporean Israeli relations both countries have also enjoyed extensive economic ties through an engagement in a high volume of trade rooted with an emphasis on high technology and research and development in the spheres of bio technology and defense Israel s national airline El Al does not fly to Singapore as Singapore is located in the region of Maritime Southeast Asia where the Islamic nations of Indonesia and Malaysia do not recognise Israel as a sovereign state which makes attaining flight rights impossible Despite these diplomatic impediments Israel has continuously maintained its diplomatic presence in Singapore since its early years of statehood and officially formalized this representation in 1968 Singapore also acts a regional hub for numerous Israeli companies operating within the city state while a growing number of members from both business communities have continued seek opportunities to establish joint ventures in biotechnology information technology and computer software Several bilateral agreements provide a solid framework for cooperation in areas such as health care defense contracting as well as high technological research amp development In 1997 a bi national fund for financing new technological products was set up which signified more deepened bilateral relations between both countries Cultural exchanges have been accentuated by encouraging the participation of Israeli artists participating in international art events in Singapore cultivating a broad interest in Israeli performing arts among the Singaporean populace The yearly Israeli Film Festival in Singapore has grown to become a cornerstone in the structured framework of such cultural exchanges that been undertaken between the two nations 380 South Korea Main article Israel South Korea relations The Republic of Korea and the State of Israel established diplomatic relations on 10 April 1962 381 382 Israel opened its embassy in Seoul in April 1968 which was closed by the Israeli government in 1978 The embassy was reopened in January 1992 with Korea opening its resident embassy in Tel Aviv in December 1993 381 On 23 August 2010 Korea Venture Investment Corp KVIC a South Korean state backed fund and investment management company signed a memorandum of understanding with Israel s Vertex Venture Capital VVC to raise a US 150 million fund which will be used to finance joint ventures or the merger and acquisition of small and medium size venture capital firms between the two countries 383 The two countries signed a free trade agreement in May 2021 making South Korea the first East Asian country to forge a free trade deal with Israel 384 Sri Lanka Main article Israel Sri Lanka relations Israel was a source of weapons and training for the Sri Lanka Armed Forces during the war against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam terrorist organization and weapons sold to the country including IAI Kfir Fighter Jet the Saar 4 class missile boats Super Dvora Mk II class patrol boat and the Gabriel missile 385 In May 2011 the Israeli Minister of Agriculture visited Sri Lanka with an agro business delegation to promote cooperation between the two countries 386 Thailand Main article Israel Thailand relations Thailand and Israel have had full diplomatic relations since 23 June 1954 The Israeli embassy was opened in 1958 although the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv only opened in 1996 Since the beginning both countries have enjoyed strong ties and beneficial bilateral cooperation in many fields most notably in agriculture and education Thousands of Thai academics have been sent to train in Israel while many Thai schools have been modeled after Israel s experience and know how with aid from Mashav State visits by Thai royalty to Israel have been reciprocated by Israel s public figures 100 000 Israeli tourists visit Thailand annually 387 Thousands of skilled and unskilled Thai workers are employed in Israel and many Thai students study in Israel There is also a Thai Israel Chamber of Commerce Thai Israel Friendship Foundation as well as a small community of Israelis living in Thailand 388 better source needed Turkmenistan In 2013 the Israel Foreign Ministry opened a new embassy in Ashgabat Turkmenistan 389 390 Vietnam Main article Israel Vietnam relations Vietnam and Israel established diplomatic relations on 12 July 1993 Israel opened its resident embassy in Hanoi in December 1993 391 The first Vietnamese ambassador to Israel presented his credentials on 8 July 2009 392 Since the establishment of diplomatic relations the two countries have frequently conducted reciprocal visits at various levels and have strengthened ties in such fields as business education culture technological cooperation and agriculture The visits arranged by the Israeli government included those of delegations comprising entrepreneurs and businessmen academic groups journalists artists and musicians legal workers and so on 393 EuropeSee also Israel European Union relations Albania Main article Albania Israel relations Israel and Albania established diplomatic relations on 20 August 1991 Albania had previously recognized Israel as a state since 1949 394 Albania has an embassy in Tel Aviv and Israel also has an embassy in Tirana Armenia Main article Armenia Israel relations Since independence Armenia has received support from Israel and today remains one of its major trade partners Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 April 1992 Israel maintains a consulate in Yerevan while Armenia has an embassy in Tel Aviv and an honorary consulate in Jerusalem 395 396 Israel has recognized 10 Armenians as Righteous Among the Nations for risking their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust 397 Austria Main article Austria Israel relations Austria recognized Israel on 5 March 1949 Austria has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 3 honorary consulates in Eilat Haifa and Jerusalem 398 Israel has an embassy in Vienna 399 Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean The Austrian Foreign Ministry lists the bilateral treaties with Israel 400 Azerbaijan Main article Azerbaijan Israel relations Azerbaijani Israeli relations are good and Israel has an embassy in Baku In May 1999 the U S Azerbaijan Council sponsored a seminar to discuss relations among Azeris Jews and Israel In April 2000 an Israeli trade delegation visited Baku to discuss ways of strengthening bilateral economic relations The Azerbaijan Israel Friendship Society facilitates and promotes bilateral diplomatic and business links In October 2001 President Aliyev pledged to open an embassy in Israel and send his Foreign Minister to visit the country Although neither has occurred Azerbaijani Israeli strategic cooperation continues to grow For many years Azerbaijan has maintained high rates of immigration to Israel due to the economic and political situation in the country In 2002 475 Jews made aliyah and 111 immigrated to the United States The Azeri government gets regular updates from Israel regarding Azeri Jews in Israel who are plagued by unemployment crime and other social issues as new immigrants in Israel 401 better source needed Belarus Main article Belarus Israel relations Israel established relations with Belarus in 1992 and continue to maintain friendly relations In April 2000 Belarus and Israel signed an agreement on trade science culture and education The two countries also formed a joint committee to improve relations between the two nations Belarus has an embassy in Tel Aviv and Israel has an embassy in Minsk 402 403 The two countries have also discussed implementing a visa free regime between the two countries Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei continues to satisfied with the relations between the two countries and also expressed hope for new opportunities to facilitate further all round cooperation with Israel in conjunction with fostering progressive development with the Jewish state Both nations celebrated its 20th anniversary in December 2012 Bilateral cooperation has since then encapsulated tourism culture trade economy science education and other fields 404 In 2013 Belarusian Vice Premier Mikhail Rusyi met top Israeli officials from the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry the State Committee for Science and Technology Belarusbank and the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee to further facilitate economic cooperation as well as development of innovative technologies into the Belarusian agricultural sector 405 406 407 Belgium Main article Belgium Israel relations Bosnia and Herzegovina Israel and Bosnia and Herzegovina established diplomatic relations in 1997 408 Bulgaria Israel and Bulgaria have strong ties Bulgaria saved the majority of its Jews during World War II 48 000 were rescued 11 343 were deported 409 410 Israel and Bulgaria established diplomatic relations in 1948 After the Six Day War Bulgaria cut diplomatic ties with Israel In 1988 Bulgaria joined the wave of first nations to recognise the State of Palestine something it has never withdrawn In 1990 diplomatic relations were renewed Bulgaria has an embassy in Tel Aviv and Israel has an embassy in Sofia and honorary consul in Varna 411 The cooperation has been consolidated by unexpected actions of goodwill from both nations In the summer 2010 Bulgaria dispatched 90 firefighters to Israel to join the efforts to put out a massive wild fire that raged outside of Haifa In the summer of 2012 Israel sent two Air Tractor planes to Bulgaria to help that nation fight a wild fire in the Vitosha Mountains near Sofia further signifying notions of repayment and as well as the strengthening of relations between the two countries On 7 July 2011 Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borissov and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed a declaration pledging closer cooperation between the two countries and the governments between the two countries would result in a wide range of areas that include foreign affairs national security and emergency preparedness tourism energy and agriculture Israel also took note of Bulgaria s prompt on international cooperation between the two countries to preserve memory learning and research on the Holocaust combating xenophobia and antisemitism 412 better source needed In January 2012 Israel and Bulgaria signed two additional memorandum of understanding which the purpose where one was for joint military training exercises and one for cooperation in the defence sector The two agreements were signed by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Bulgarian Defense Minister Anyu Angelov Minister Angelov said the two agreements in addition to their economic and defense benefits also bring a political message Bulgaria and Israel are a step closer towards stronger cooperation and a strategic dialogue After the 2012 Burga bus bombing Bulgaria and Israel pledged to increase security relations between the two countries discussing various aspects of bilateral cooperation at a meeting at the Ministry of Interior between Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Tsvetlin Iochev and Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Avigdor Leiberman in November 2013 An international investigation led by Bulgaria has established was the work of people linked with the bombing to the military wing of Hezbollah where five Israeli tourists and a Bulgarian citizen died 413 414 The governments of both countries also intend to cooperate in the high tech sector the communications sector health care and agriculture and to continue the positive development of tourism between the two countries and energy resource divestment Israel also intends to join with Bulgaria Cyprus Greece and Romania to launch a regional group for crisis response which will boost the partnership between these countries in cases of common security challenges as result of a March 2014 meeting between Avigdor Lieberman and Bulgarian Interior Minister Tsvetlin Yovchev 415 Croatia Main article Croatia Israel relations nbsp Croatian president Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic with Israeli president Reuven Rivlin July 2015 While Croatia was part of the Yugoslavia Federation 1943 1991 it established diplomatic relations with Israel in year 1948 through the Federation but after Israel attacked Yugoslavia s Non Aligned Movement ally Egypt in the Six Day War in 1967 Yugoslavia severed all diplomatic relations with Israel After the breakup of Yugoslavia occurred as a result of a series of political upheavals and conflicts Croatia declared independence on 8 October 1991 and officially renewed its bilateral relations with Israel which recognized Croatia as an independent state on 16 April 1992 but due to some disagreements with the Croatian President Tuđman full diplomatic relations were established 5 years later on 4 September 1997 Since then relations between Croatia and Israel have been excellent Croatia has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 4 honorary consulates in Ashdod Caesarea Jerusalem and Kfar Shmaryahu Israel has an embassy in Zagreb In addition Croatia does not recognize the State of Palestine Cyprus Main article Cyprus Israel relations nbsp Chief Rabbi of Cyprus Arie Zeev Raskin meets the Cypriot President Demetris Christofias Israel has had diplomatic relations with Cyprus since Israel s independence in 1948 when Cyprus was a British protectorate Israel and Cyprus associations have continued to expand since 1960 the year of Cyprus independence The neighboring countries trade regularly and there are high flows of tourism between them However Cypriot politicians have frequently spoken out against Israeli military raids in the Palestinian territories as well as the 2006 Lebanon War during which Cyprus was forced to manage a heavy flow of refugees and aid out of and into Lebanon 416 better source needed However the discovery of natural gas in the Leviathan gas field led to a thawing of relations between the two governments The two countries demarcated their Exclusive Economic Zones in 2010 Israel s rising antagonism with Turkey further increased the level of cooperation between the two countries as Israel compensated by improving its relations elsewhere In February 2012 Netanyahu visited Cyprus the first visit of an Israeli Prime Minister in history 417 The collaboration between Cyprus Israel and Greece on natural gas extraction has been characterised by the media as the Energy Triangle Cyprus serves an important role as the place where most Israeli couples obtain civil marriages because Cyprus is the closest country on good diplomatic terms with Israel that issues civil marriages Israel does not issue civil marriages only religious ones with religious restrictions on the eligibility of marriage and a recent law allows civil marriages in Israel under one condition both individuals are non Jewish residents of the state Israel does however recognize civil marriages issued abroad with Cyprus being the largest source of easy civil marriage licenses Relations between Israel and Cyprus are based on mutual respect for Western values the support for free market economy and the establishment of democracies in the Middle East that would co exist peacefully 418 Czech Republic Main article Czech Republic Israel relations Israel and the Czech Republic share a special relationship Czechoslovakia was the only country to send aid to Israel in its early years e g arms shipments from Czechoslovakia to Israel 1947 1949 In December 2008 the Czech Air Force wanted to train in desert conditions for the upcoming mission in Afghanistan No country agreed to help except Israel Israel saw it as an opportunity to thank the Czechs for training Israeli pilots when the country was first established 419 Denmark Main article Denmark Israel relations The relations between Denmark and Israel have been friendly and warm Denmark voted for the partition of Palestine in 1947 and supports Israel in the United Nations Denmark was one of few countries in Europe to save most of its Jewish population during the WWII In Jerusalem there is a monument to the rescue of Danish Jews a school is named in Denmark s honor and the King Christian X hospital in Eitanim is named after Denmark s king during World War II Denmark has an embassy in Israel and Israel has an embassy in Copenhagen The political lives of the two states have been somewhat intertwined The former Israeli minister of social and diaspora affairs Michael Melchior was born in Denmark and is the son of former chief rabbi in Copenhagen Bent Melchior the nephew of former Danish minister of traffic and minister of tourism and communication Arne Melchior and the grandson of the acting rabbi for the Jewish refugees from Denmark in Sweden 1943 45 Marcus Melchior the executive director of the Peres Center for Peace 2001 2011 Ron Pundak who played an important role in starting the Oslo peace process and was part of the core group behind the Geneva Initiative is the son of the influential Danish journalist Herbert Pundik and the prominent Israeli politician Yohanan Plesner former chairman of the Plesner Committee is the son of Danish architect Ulrik Plesner Estonia Estonia and Israel maintain excellent relations Israel officially recognized the Republic of Estonia on 4 September 1991 and diplomatic relations were established on 9 January 1992 Foreign Minister Urmas Paet opened the Estonian Embassy in Tel Aviv in November 2009 420 As of 2012 bilateral trade with Israel was 19 9 million euros 421 Finland Main article Finland Israel relations In 2004 a joint Finland Israel Technology FIT cooperation program was created for research and development projects in the field of ICT The Office of the Chief Scientist in Israel and Tekes the Finnish Funding Agency for Research and Innovation allocated five million euros each for the funding of projects 422 In 2005 Finnish exports to Israel totaled 155 24 million euros and imports from Israel to Finland totaled 95 96 million euros Finland s leading exports to Israel are telecommunications equipment and machinery and Israeli fruits and vegetables 422 France Main article France Israel relations nbsp Tzipi Livni and French foreign minister Douste Blazy In the early 1950s France and Israel maintained close political and military ties as common enemies of Pan Arab nationalism France was Israel s main weapons supplier until its withdrawal from Algeria in 1962 removed most common interest from the relationship and France became increasingly critical of Israel 423 This new reality became clear when in the crisis leading up to the Six Day War in June 1967 Charles de Gaulle s government imposed an arms embargo on the region mostly affecting Israel which had relied on France for weapons over the previous decade 424 Under Francois Mitterrand in the early 1980s French Israeli relations improved greatly Mitterrand was the first French president to visit Israel while in office 425 In 1967 after the Six Day War 5 300 French Jews immigrated to Israel 426 Georgia Main article Georgia Israel relations Relations between Israel and Georgia remain excellent 427 Georgia s former defense minister from 2006 to 2008 Davit Kezerashvili had previously lived in Israel Israel has been selling weapons to Georgia for seven years financed by grants from the USA 427 Included in these weapons are Israeli built spy drones provided through the former mayor of Tel Aviv Roni Milo Israeli advisors estimated to number between 100 and 1 000 have trained the Georgian military for some time 427 The two nations also maintain a visa free policy where Georgian and Israeli officials signed an agreement to lift visa requirements for Georgian citizens traveling to Israel reciprocating Georgia s visa free policy for Israelis in place since mid 2005 428 429 Georgia has its embassy in Tel Aviv and the State of Israel has its embassy in Tbilisi In June 2013 Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili praised the Jewish people and Israel and has sought to increase relations between Israel and Georgia elucidating his special relationship between him Georgia and the Jewish people Ivanishvili also wanted to extend strategic partnerships and as well as furthering economic cooperation by making it easier for Israeli entrepreneurs and investors to not just do business in Israel but also facilitate the right paths to do business for the Georgians The Israel Georgia Chamber of Business was established in 1996 in order to facilitate business transactions between the two friendly countries and acting as a guide for Israeli businesses through the Georgian economy Major sectors include insurance real estate and construction medical and dental solutions industrial and utility projects and energy 430 431 432 Germany Main article Germany Israel relations See also East Germany Israel relations Due to its role in the Holocaust Israel was at first extremely hostile towards Germany and initially refused to establish relations with them However relations gradually thawed as Germany offered to pay reparations in 1952 and diplomatic relations were officially established in 1965 Israel and Germany now maintain a special relationship based on shared beliefs Western values and a combination of historical perspectives 433 Among the most important factors in their relations is Nazi Germany s role in the genocide of 6 million Jews during the Holocaust 434 Germany is a prime supplier of arms to Israel including Dolphin submarines The military co operation has been discreet but mutually profitable Israeli intelligence for example sent captured Warsaw Pact armor to West Germany to be analyzed The results aided the German development of an anti tank system 435 Greece Main article Greece Israel relations Both Greece and Turkey recognized the State of Israel in the late 1940s but were diplomatically represented in Tel Aviv on lower than embassy levels Greek Israeli relations improved in 1995 Trade doubled between 1989 and 1995 That year Israel exported 200 million worth of chemicals and oil products to Greece and imported 150 million worth of cement food and building materials Israel is the second largest importer of Greek products in the Middle East nbsp The Israeli and Greek Navies joined forces in 2012 near Piraeus nbsp Meeting of President of Israel Shimon Peres and Prime Minister of Greece Antonis Samaras in August 2012 in Athens A Greek Israeli cooperation agreement on military affairs was concluded as early as December 1994 predating the Turkish Israeli agreement of February 1996 however both sides refrained from activating the agreement Greece was apparently concerned about alienating the Arab world while Israel did not wish to upset the Turks Greece and Israel agreed to hold joint naval maneuvers at the end of the summer 1997 but they were indefinitely postponed by the Greeks The reason given for the postponement was that the Greek navy was busy preventing infiltrations from Albania and it could not spare a frigate for the exercises 436 better source needed nbsp Hellenic Air Force Bombardier 415s fighting flames at Ein Hod on 4 December 2010 Greece Israel relations improved as Turkey Israel relations worsened in the aftermath of the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid In October 2010 the Israeli and Greek air forces trained jointly in Greece According to the BBC this signified a boost in ties that was due in large part to Israel s rift with Turkey 437 In November 2011 the Israeli Air Force hosted Greece s Hellenic Air Force in a joint exercise at the Uvda base 438 The joint Cyprus Israel oil and gas explorations are also an important factor for Greece given its strong links with Cyprus 439 Additionally Greek and Israeli state controlled energy companies are planning to lay the world s longest subsea power cable linking Israel Cyprus and Greece by 2023 The link called the EuroAsia Interconnector project will be the longest in the world 440 A new joint action committee for the Greek Israeli alliance has been created in the U S Congress in early 2013 The creation and goals of the Greek Israeli Caucus under the name Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance were announced at a special event held in the Congress 441 It is co chaired by Congress members Gus Bilirakis the Republican representative from Florida and Ted Deutch the Democrat from Florida and the Greek Israeli Caucus consists of powerful members of both Republican and Democratic party It is estimated that it may become the most important pressure group in Congress by 2014 442 443 444 Holy See Main article Holy See Israel relations Before the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 the Vatican opposed Zionist policies and objectives in Palestine In 1947 during discussions at the United Nations about the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine the Vatican supported the internationalization of Jerusalem in order to keep the holy places away from either Israeli or Arab sovereignty In October 1948 as the 1948 Arab Israeli War was in progress Pope Pius XII deeply disturbed by that violent conflict issued the encyclical In multiplicibus curis in which he called on the peace makers to give Jerusalem and its outskirts an international character and to assure with international guarantees freedom of access and worship at the holy places scattered throughout Palestine In April 1949 he issued the encyclical Redemptoris nostri cruciatus in which he appealed for justice for the Palestinian refugees and repeated his call for an international status as the best form of protection for the holy places In January 1964 Pope Paul VI visited Israel the first such Papal visit Following the Six Day War the Vatican modified its position on the holy places In an address to the College of Cardinals in December 1967 Pope Paul VI called for a special statute internationally guaranteed for Jerusalem and the Holy Places thus changing the previous demand for the internationalization of Jerusalem Diplomatic relations between the Israeli government and the Vatican were established in 1994 following the conclusion of the Fundamental Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Israel signed on 30 December 1993 The Holy See the Vatican which has UN observer status is the only non UN member state with which Israel has diplomatic relations and the only non UN member state recognised by Israel An important organ in these relations is the Israel Vatican Bilateral Commission established under article 10 of the Agreement to resolve economic issues between the parties In 2000 Pope John Paul II visited Israel followed by visits of Pope Benedict XVI 2009 and Pope Francis 2014 The bilateral commission convened on 30 April 2009 and 10 December 2009 445 Hungary Main article Hungary Israel relations Hungary and Israel established full diplomatic relations in 1948 and severed during the Six Day War in 1967 Relations were restored in 1989 with improved relations as well as the opening of embassies and consulates with Hungary having an embassy in Tel Aviv and 4 honorary consulates in Eilat Haifa Jerusalem and Tel Aviv 446 and Israel has an embassy in Budapest and an honorary consulate in Szeged 447 Both countries have stressed the increasing of trade and tourism between one another and an estimated 30 000 Hungarian Jews emigrated to Israel in 1948 448 449 450 Both nations are also members of the Union for the Mediterranean In January 2022 Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett thanked his Hungarian counterpart Prime Minister Viktor Orban for the Hungarian government s consistent support of Israel at international forums 451 Ireland Main article Ireland Israel relations Full diplomatic relations between Ireland and Israel were established in 1975 452 As of 2023 the Israeli ambassador to Ireland is Dana Erlich and the Irish ambassador to Israel is Sonya McGuinness 453 454 The Irish government followed a similar line to other EU governments during the 2006 Lebanon War with the Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern condemning the actions of Israel as reckless and disproportionate and calling for an immediate ceasefire on both sides while also condemning the actions of Hezbollah 455 During the conflict a shipment of bombs that attempted to land in Ireland from USA to Tel Aviv was denied use of Irish airspace and airfields by the Irish Government The weapons were part of a series of agreed arms shipments between the United States Government and Israel The shipments were diverted via Scotland where they also caused controversy 456 In 2010 the Israel Defense Forces forcibly boarded an Irish aid ship destined for the Gaza Strip which resulted in worsened relations Israel s Mossad was also involved in the counterfeiting of Irish passports 2 members of the Israeli ambassador s security staff in Dublin were subsequently deported In 2010 there were numerous protests at the Israeli embassy in Ireland over the treatment of Palestinians Italy Main article Israel Italy relations nbsp The Israeli and Italian Air Forces conclude an extensive two week joint exercise in Sardinia 17 November 2010 Relations between Italy and Israel remain strong with frequent diplomatic exchanges and a large volume of trade The Israeli Government has followed with great attention the fight against international terrorism pursued by the Italian Government Kosovo Main article Israel Kosovo relations On 17 February 2008 Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia a move Serbia rejects Kosovo has been recognized by a substantial number of UN members including the United States and most members of the European Union 457 At the time of the declaration an Israeli Foreign Ministry official stated We haven t decided when we re going to decide and instead will monitor events and consider the issue Israel was reluctant to recognize Kosovo s independence in part because of the possibility of Palestinians using recognition of Kosovo to justify their own unilateral declaration of independence 458 On 21 September 2018 the president of Kosovo Hashim Thaci told that he would place the Kosovo embassy in Jerusalem if Israel recognized Kosovo as an independent state 459 Israel and Kosovo agreed to establish diplomatic relations on 4 September 2020 460 In March 2022 Kosovo officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem after becoming the first Muslim majority territory to recognise Jerusalem as Israel s capital 461 Latvia Latvia and Israel established diplomatic relations 6 January 1992 In October 2012 Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics called on Israeli officials for the development of economic and trade contacts between both countries and support for Latvia s accession to the Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development OECD Rinkevics also met with Israeli President Shimon Peres on behalf of President Berzins to visit Latvia Rinkevics and Peres agreed on the key significance of education and knowledge based economies for the development of small countries further paving opportunities for our future cooperation between the two nations 462 Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman also corroborated claims that Israel is interested in forging closer relations with Latvia as Rinkevics emphasized the 20th anniversary of relations between Latvia and Israel in 2012 and both foreign ministers expressed their commitment to strengthening economic and trade cooperation including contacts between Latvian and Israeli entrepreneurs and a more cooperative operation in the fields of education culture and science 462 Lithuania Main article Israel Lithuania relations Israel recognized Lithuania s independence in 1991 Both countries established diplomatic relation in 1992 Israel has an embassy in Vilnius Lithuania has an embassy in Tel Aviv and two honorary consulates in Herzliya and Ramat Gan Relations are warm and friendly between the two nations and both bi national trade and tourism has doubled and two new regularly scheduled flights have just been set between the two countries since 2010 463 Lithuanian achievements particularly Lithuania s achievements in biochemistry and the biosciences have attracted Israeli entrepreneurs and investors to invest in Lithuania s science and technology sector and Lithuania is enthusiastic in combining Israel s knack for unlocked untapped entrepreneurial and intellectual potential combined with Lithuania s strong science and technology research base and talented workforce Both nations have concluded an agreement on cooperation in industrial research and experimental development as further cooperation within venture capital to fund joint research projects remains underway 464 465 Bilateral meetings between both nations reached unexpected highs between 2009 2011 and cooperations between the two nations remain excellent with several forms of cooperation that include science economics education and culture as emphasized by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Azubalis Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite has stated Israel as model of innovation in which is one of the reasons that Lithuania is interested in enhancing its bilateral relations 466 467 468 469 In 2011 alone Israeli tourism to Lithuania grew by 62 percent and Lithuanian exports to Israel increased by 54 percent Israel s leading pharmaceutical company Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd has a manufacturing plant in Lithuania and TEVA recently invested in Sicor Biotech a Lithuanian biotechnological pharmaceutical company further signifying economic cooperation and encourages the development of such sciences as biotechnology and genetic engineering in Lithuanian universities 470 Israeli companies have taken a very active interest in possibilities for carrying out clinical research in Lithuania many of them are already in cooperation with Lithuanian medical institutions and have invested in Lithuania s burgeoning life sciences sector In 2013 Lithuanian biotechnology company ProBioSanus signed a representation agreement with Bharat Israel where ProBioSanus natural probiotic based cleaning and personal care products will be available for sale in Israel for the first time The company already opened stores in Lithuania and Scandinavia Mr Andrejauskas head of ProBioSanus spoke of this agreement saying that We have a strong scientific base and intellectual potential in Lithuania so we are allocating particular attention to the creation of new formulas and products 471 Besides Israeli investments in the Lithuanian life science s sector Lithuanian presence in Israel in the food industry remains strong as Israeli supermarkets sell Lithuanian cheese curd desserts Vilnius mayonnaise Zemaitijos Pienas butter Panevezys ice cream Svyturys Utenos Alus beers and various styles of Lithuanian liquors According to Vadimas Ivanovas a business and financial analyst at Enterprise Lithuania says that Israeli retail chains are very interested in Lithuanian sweets pastries canned vegetables various sauces alcoholic beverages mineral water Veal is particularly popular 465 Luxembourg In November 1947 Luxembourg voted in favor of the partition plan to create a Jewish state Israel and Luxembourg established full diplomatic relations in 1949 Due to Luxembourg s small size the Israeli embassy is located in Brussels and Luxembourg is represented politically by the Dutch embassy and economically by the Belgian embassy 472 better source needed Moldova nbsp Moldovan Embassy in Tel Aviv Relations between Moldova and Israel were established on 6 June 1992 Israel recognized Moldova on 25 December 1991 Israel is represented in Moldova through its embassy in Chisinau and Moldova has an embassy in Tel Aviv and an honorary consulate in Haifa Relations between the two countries are friendly and a warm one based on mutual support A myriad of efforts are primarily focused on the realization of achieved accords on cooperation in the fields of economy medicine industry agriculture social and cultural issues Though the volume of trade between Israel and Moldova is low Larisa Miculet the Ambassador of Moldova to Israel has stated that there numerous untapped potential of increasing bilateral trade For Israeli entrepreneurs and investors Moldova is geopolitically convenient because of its location in the center of Europe its high transparency between public authorities and foreign investors and due to its having eliminated most of the bureaucratic barriers that hinder business activities Various business sectors of cooperation between Israel and Moldova range from pharmaceuticals energy information technology and software electronics and electronic equipment power engineering metal and plastics processing and construction materials but Moldova has stressed foreign Israeli investments in all segments of the Moldovan economy 473 474 475 Netherlands Main article Israel Netherlands relations nbsp Netherlands delegation Jerusalem March In 1947 the Netherlands voted in favor of the establishing Israel and established diplomatic relation in 1949 Israel has an embassy in The Hague and The Netherlands has an embassy in Tel Aviv North Macedonia Main article Israel North Macedonia relations Norway Main article Israel Norway relations nbsp With Israel for Peace MIFF Oslo Norway was one of the first countries to recognize Israel on 4 February 1949 Both countries established diplomatic relations later that year Israel has an embassy which serves Norway and Iceland in Oslo Norway has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 2 honorary consulates in Eilat and Haifa Israels Venner pa Stortinget Friends of Israel in the Parliament of Norway is a pro Israel caucus group consisting of members of the Parliament of Norway Stortinget Poland Main article Israel Poland relations Following the severing of relations after the Six Day War Poland was the first Eastern Bloc country to restore relations with Israel in 1986 beside Romania which had continuous relations with Israel Full diplomatic relations were reestablished in 1990 after the fall of Communism in Poland Portugal The Estado Novo regime did not recognize Israel Full diplomatic relations with the Portuguese government were established on 12 May 1977 following the Portuguese revolution of 1974 476 Romania Main article Israel Romania relations Romania and Israel established full diplomatic relations on 11 June 1948 Between 1967 and 1989 Romania was the only Eastern Bloc country to maintain relations with Israel after the Six Day War 477 Israel has an embassy in Bucharest 478 Romania has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 3 honorary consulates in Haifa Jerusalem and Tel Aviv 479 The two countries have signed many bilateral treaties and agreements and both of them are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean and many other international organizations Russia and the Soviet Union Main article Israel Russia relations See also Soviet Union and the Arab Israeli conflict and Russia and the Arab Israeli conflict nbsp Benjamin Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin at the 2018 Moscow Victory Day Parade The Soviet Union voted in favor of the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine in 1947 which paved the way for the creation of the State of Israel On 17 May 1948 on the third day of Israel s independence the Soviet Union granted de jure recognition to the State of Israel becoming only the second country to recognise Israel preceded only by the United States de facto recognition and the first country to grant Israel de jure recognition 480 The Soviet Union and the other communist states of Eastern Europe with the exception of Romania cut diplomatic ties with Israel during the Six Day War Relations were restored on 19 October 1991 a few months before the dissolution of the Soviet Union despite the fact that hostile Arab countries such as Syria also maintain close ties with Russia Russia is known to supply Syria with weapons 481 In September 2010 Israel and Russia signed a comprehensive military agreement that will increase cooperation on combating terrorism and the proliferation of nuclear weapons Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak met with his Russian counterpart Anatoly Serdyukov and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and signed the agreement during a ceremony in Moscow The Russian military plans on purchasing additional Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles Russia previously bought 12 drones from the Israel Aerospace Industries following the war in South Ossetia 482 Serbia Main article Israel Serbia relations Diplomatic relations between Israel and Serbia s predecessor state Yugoslavia were severed for twenty four years from 1967 until 1991 when they were officially renewed by which time Yugoslavia was in the process of disintegration Diplomatic relations continued when in April 1992 the two remaining Yugoslav republics Serbia and Montenegro formed the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia renamed to Serbia and Montenegro in February 2003 On 3 June 2006 Montenegro and Serbia dissolved the union Slovakia Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1993 Israel has an embassy in Bratislava with its first resident ambassador in Slovakia being Yael Rubinstein 483 Slovakia has an embassy in Tel Aviv 484 In May 2008 Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico called Ehud Olmert and Shimon Peres for the strengthening of diplomatic relations between Israel and Slovakia An Israel Slovakia Chamber of Commerce and Industry also exists to facilitate further economic and business cooperation between the two countries 485 486 Slovenia Main article Israel Slovenia relations Israel and Slovenia established full diplomatic relations when Israel officially recognized Slovenia on 16 April 1992 and on 28 April 1992 when the countries signed the Protocol establishing diplomatic relations between each other The Slovenian Israeli Chamber of Commerce was established in 2010 signifying a strengthening of ties and both countries have discussed bilateral cooperation in business tourism science and technology and agriculture 487 488 Slovenian Jews in Israel A sizable Slovenian Jewish community was presently in the Gush Dan area Spain Main article Israel Spain relations Francoist Spain did not recognize Israel citing an international conspiracy of Jews and Freemasons against Spain Israel and Spain have maintained diplomatic ties since 1986 Nevertheless Israeli exports to Spain are on the rise totalling 870 million in 2006 and Israeli firms doing business with Spain include the Dead Sea Works Haifa Chemicals Amdocs Comverse and Teva Pharmaceuticals 489 The Spanish foreign minister visited Israel for an official visit in May 2008 490 Sweden Main article Israel Sweden relations Sweden voted in favor of the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine in 1947 Relations between Sweden and Israel were good during the 1950s and 1960s and Sweden expressed strong support for Israel during the Six Day War 491 However from 1969 Sweden became more critical of Israel 492 493 In October 2014 Sweden officially recognized the State of Palestine as the first European Union country 494 Switzerland Main article Israel Switzerland relations nbsp The Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces Andre Blattmann visiting Israel as a guest of IDF Chief of General Staff Benny Gantz 27 November 2011 The First Zionist Congress was held in Basel in 1897 and 15 out of a total of 22 congresses were held in Switzerland Before the establishment of the State of Israel Switzerland maintained a consulate in Jerusalem and a consular agency in Tel Aviv It recognized the new state in 1949 and opened a consulate in Tel Aviv which was upgraded to an embassy in 1958 The Swiss community in Israel is the largest in the Asian region totalling around 12 000 persons 495 After escalation of the Middle East conflict Switzerland halted arms sales and military cooperation with Israel from 2002 to 2005 Since 2004 there has been regular political dialogue between Switzerland and Israel 495 Switzerland has represented Israel s interests in numerous countries Hungary 1967 1989 Guinea 1967 1973 Ceylon Sri Lanka 1970 1976 Madagascar 1973 1994 Liberia 1973 1983 and Ghana 1973 2002 Conversely it has represented the interests of Iran 1958 1987 and Ivory Coast 1973 1986 in Israel It also lobbied successfully for inclusion of Magen David Adom in the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement 495 On 21 April 2009 Israel recalled its ambassador for consultations due to events that occurred at the UN anti racism conference in Geneva Switzerland Israeli officials angered by a meeting between Swiss President Hans Rudolf Merz and the Iranian president recalled its ambassador to Switzerland Ilan Elgar for consultations amid ongoing controversy over an anti racism conference being held in Geneva 496 497 Ukraine Main article Israel Ukraine relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 December 1991 Israel has an embassy in Kyiv Ukraine has an embassy in Tel Aviv and a consulate general in Haifa In July 2010 the foreign ministers of two countries sign an agreement of non visa traffic between Israel and Ukraine This came into effect on 9 February 2011 and since then Ukrainians and Israelis may enter territory travel through it or stay on Ukraine Israel without having to obtain visas for 90 days within a period of 180 days United Kingdom Main article Israel United Kingdom relations Relations between the Israel and the UK began as hostile During the 1948 Arab Israeli war Britain detained 8 000 Jewish men of military age attempting to make aliyah to Israel in Cyprus so they could not participate in the fighting Britain supplied weapons to the Arab states and almost went to war with Israel When Israel captured the Negev the British Ministry of Defence began to draw up plans for a possible invasion of Israel British planes spied on Israeli positions and war between the two countries became even more possible when four British planes were shot down by Israel However the two countries began to soften later on and trade began In 1956 Israel invaded Sinai Peninsula in agreement with France and the UK that invaded Suez Nevertheless Anglo Israeli relations became turbulent in the summer of 2006 when Prime Minister Tony Blair along with many other European leaders criticized IDF airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon which had high civilian casualties During the Cameron premiership relations between the two countries continued to remain close Central AmericaBelize Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1983 498 Belize is represented in Israel through its embassy in London 499 Israel is represented in Belize through its embassy in San Salvador 500 Since 2011 both countries have an agreement on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic service and national passports 501 In November 2023 Belize suspended diplomatic ties with Israel over its refusal to implement a ceasefire for the war in Gaza 502 Costa Rica Costa Rica was one of the first countries to vote in favor of the establishment of the State of Israel It maintained its embassy in Jerusalem until August 2006 when it finally relocated to Tel Aviv in order to bolster its ties with the Arab world 503 In December 2011 Rodrigo Carreras became the Costa Rican ambassador to Israel for the second time after his posting there in the 1980s Carreras father Benjamin Nunez also served as the Costa Rican ambassador to Israel 504 Guatemala Following Israel s independence Guatemala was the first country to open an embassy in Jerusalem in 1959 The embassy was later relocated to Tel Aviv However on 16 May 2018 Guatemala again moved its embassy back to Jerusalem The move to Jerusalem followed two days after the opening of the United States Embassy to Israel in the city 505 Haiti nbsp Israeli rescue workers in Haiti Haiti and Israel maintain full diplomatic relations In 1947 Haiti voted for the UN Partition Plan and the creation of the State of Israel 506 better source needed Israel was among the first to send both personnel and aid to Haiti following the devastating earthquake in 2010 507 Dominican Republic Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1979 Israel is represented in Dominican Republic through its embassy in Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Both countries have an agreement on visa abolition 508 Panama Panama formally recognized the State of Israel on 18 June 1948 The two countries first exchanged in 1960 Panama voted with Israel against UN resolution 67 19 509 as well as UN resolution 70 70 510 and in 2012 had a 30 voting coincidence with Israel 511 better source needed Nicaragua 1974 1978 Israel sold arms to Somoza regime 512 513 On 1 June 2010 Nicaragua suspended diplomatic ties with Israel in response to the Gaza flotilla raid 514 Relations were restored in March 2017 515 North AmericaCanada Main article Canada Israel relations Canada s relationship with Israel began in 1947 when Canada was represented on the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine UNSCOP Canada was one of the 33 countries including only four Commonwealth members that voted in favour of the 1947 UN partition Plan thus beginning a longstanding relationship with the Jewish state based on a shared commitment to democratic values understanding and mutual respect Cuba Main article Cuba Israel relations nbsp Cuban ambassador to Israel with Golda Meir 1960 Cuba sent troops to fight against Israel during the War of Attrition Cuba also joined the expeditionary forces during the 1973 Yom Kippur War and broke diplomatic relations with Israel the same year As Cuba s enemy and a very close United States ally Israel was the only country in the world that consistently sided with the U S blockade against Cuba In late 2010 Fidel Castro who at this time no longer held office in Cuba s government stated that he believes Israel has a right to exist which is a shift from his regime s earlier policy 516 Mexico Main article Israel Mexico relations nbsp Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in Jerusalem 2016 Mexico and Israel have had diplomatic relations since January 1950 Throughout the years they have maintained close relations with each other In 2000 a free trade agreement was signed between the two nations Mexico has also purchased weapons from Israel and is one of Israel s closest allies in the Americas 517 United States Main article Israel United States relations See also Israel United States military relations nbsp Yitzhak Shamir with U S Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger 1982 The relations between Israel and the United States have evolved from an initial United States policy of sympathy and support for the creation of a Jewish state in 1948 It was the first country to recognize the establishment of the State to an unusual partnership that links Israel with the United States trying to balance competing interests in the Middle East region The United States has been considered Israel s most powerful and supportive ally and hosts the annual Salute to Israel Parade in New York City From 1948 to 2012 the United States has provided Israel with 233 7 billion in aid after adjusting for inflation In addition the US has provided Israel with 19 billion in loan guarantees 518 The United States is Israel s largest trading partner accounting for 22 4 percent of Israel s 43 19 billion in imports and 42 1 percent of Israel s 40 14 billion in exports annually 2005 519 The U S also provides Israel with 2 4 billion in military assistance annually which is equivalent to 24 5 percent of Israel s military expenditures 2005 519 OceaniaAustralia Main article Australia Israel relations nbsp Australian Light Horse Monument in Australian Soldier Park Beersheba Australia was one of the four Commonwealth nations to vote in favour of the 1947 UN partition resolution Australia and Israel established full diplomatic relations in January 1949 520 Australia has an embassy in Tel Aviv and Israel likewise in Canberra In May 2010 the Australian government expelled an Israeli diplomat over the misuse of Australian passports in the assassination of Mahmoud Al Mabhouh which Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said was not the act of a friend 521 Marshall Islands Main article Israel Marshall Islands relations The Marshall Islands is one of the most consistent supporters of Israel international affairs along with the United States Micronesia and Palau The Marshall Islands is a country in free association with the United States and thus consistently vote in favor of the United States Micronesia Main article Israel Federated States of Micronesia relations The Federated States of Micronesia is one of the most consistent supporters of Israel Throughout the history of the United Nations General Assembly there has always been an automatic majority against Israel The United States has often voted in favour of Israel and in recent years 522 523 one other nation has joined Israel s defense Micronesia The foreign policy goals of the Micronesia are primarily linked to achieving economic development and protecting their vast marine environment Israel was one of the first to welcome Micronesia into the family of nations even before it became a member of the UN According to Micronesia s U N deputy ambassador the country has since sought close bilateral relations with Israel in areas such as agriculture technical training and health care training Israel assisted Micronesia in its early development As one Micronesian diplomat said We need Israeli expertise so I don t see a change in our policy anytime soon 524 better source needed In January 2010 the President of the Federated States of Micronesia Emanuel Mori and the President of the Republic of Nauru Marcus Stephen with their foreign ministers visited Israel to expand ties on issues such as healthcare solar energy water conservation clean technologies and other areas in which Israel can provide expertise They met with Israeli leaders including the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu President Shimon Peres and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman 525 Nauru Main article Israel Nauru relations This section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed March 2021 Learn how and when to remove this message Israel and the Republic of Nauru established official diplomatic relations in 2013 and collaborated on various subjects which Nauru like other Pacific islands such as the Marshall Islands Micronesia and Palau is a consistent supporter of Israel in international bodies including the United Nations New Zealand Main article Israel New Zealand relations New Zealand was one of the four Commonwealth nations to vote in favour of the 1947 UN partition resolution Since then most New Zealand governments have been supportive of Israel After 53 years of full diplomatic relations the Israeli Embassy in Wellington closed in 2004 due to 5 4 million in cost cuts by the Israeli Foreign Ministry It was speculated that trade with Arab countries were a major factor In June 2004 the New Zealand Government criticized Israel s policy of bulldozing Palestinian homes and donated 534 000 to aid homeless Palestinians At one time there were four missions in the South Pacific area in Canberra Sydney Wellington and Suva in Fiji Following the closure only Canberra remained open which was responsible for New Zealand Israeli Relations In 2009 the Israel Foreign Ministry announced the reopening of the embassy in Wellington 389 In mid 2004 two suspected Mossad agents were jailed for three months and paid a 35 000 fine for trying on false grounds to obtain a New Zealand passport High level visits between the two countries were cancelled visa restrictions imposed for Israeli officials and an expected visit to New Zealand by Israeli president Moshe Katsav was cancelled More than a year later Israel apologized and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced that it was time to resume friendly diplomatic relations with Israel Niue Diplomatic relations between Israel and Niue were established on August 3 2023 526 Palau Main article Israel Palau relations Palau is one of the most consistent supporters of Israel in the United Nations and other international affairs along with the United States Micronesia and the Marshall Islands In 2006 Palau had the highest voting coincidence with Israel in the United Nations Papua New Guinea Main article Israel Papua New Guinea relations Tuvalu Israel maintains a non resident embassy to Tuvalu in Jerusalem and Tuvalu has voted together with Israel against UN resolutions furthering Palestinian sovereignty on occasion 527 528 South AmericaArgentina Main article Argentina Israel relations nbsp Golda Meir with Eva Peron In 1992 three Israeli diplomats were killed in the bombing of the Israeli Embassy which left 29 people dead and 240 wounded Two years later another bombing took place at the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires killing 85 people and wounding 300 The investigation was never completed 529 Nestor Kirchner called this a national disgrace and reopened the files Bolivia In January 2009 Bolivia limited its foreign relationship with Israel in the wake of strikes in Gaza by Israel Bolivian President Evo Morales has reportedly promised to take Israel to an international court for alleged war crimes committed in Gaza 530 Bolivia originally granted visa free access to Israeli citizens However as a result of Israel s 2014 military operation in Gaza which it opposed President Evo Morales declared Israel a terrorist state and his government will now require Israeli citizens to obtain a visa to visit Bolivia 531 Morales has called Israel s treatment of Palestinians a genocide 532 Following Morales s resignation and fleeing to Mexico in November 2019 relations were restored to their previous status 533 On 1 November 2023 following the escalation of the 2023 Israel Hamas war Deputy Foreign Minister of Bolivia Freddy Mamani announced that Bolivia would be cutting diplomatic ties with Israel This made Bolivia the first country to cut relations with Israel in response to the conflict 534 Brazil Main article Brazil Israel relations nbsp Shimon Peres and Foreign Minister of Brazil Celso Amorim Brazil played a large role in the establishment of the State of Israel Brazil held the Presidency office of the UN General Assembly in 1947 which proclaimed the Partition Plan for Palestine The Brazilian delegation to the U N supported and heavily lobbied for the partition of Palestine toward the creation of the State of Israel Brazil was also one of the first countries to recognize the State of Israel on 7 February 1949 less than one year after Israeli Declaration of Independence Nowadays Brazil and Israel maintain close political economic and military ties Brazil is a full member state of Israel Allies Caucus 535 a political advocacy organization that mobilizes pro Israel parliamentarians in governments worldwide The two nations enjoy a degree of arms cooperation as Brazil is a key buyer of Israeli weapons and military technology 536 Also Brazil is Israel s largest trading partner in Latin America 537 Israel has an embassy in Brasilia and a consulate general in Sao Paulo and Brazil has an embassy in Tel Aviv and an honorary consulate in Haifa 538 A longstanding dispute between Israel and Brazil is ongoing over Brazil s official rejection of a new Israeli ambassador because of his ties to the West Bank 539 Brazil Israel relations have improved significantly during the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro since 2019 Brazilian president Bolsonaro has expressed his love for Israel several times 540 He has even said to have turned Brazil into Israel s new best friend 541 In December 2019 Brazil opened a trade office in Jerusalem Brazil also considered to move its embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem 542 Brazil has the ninth largest Jewish community in the world about 107 329 by 2010 according to the IBGE census 543 The Jewish Confederation of Brazil CONIB estimates to more than 120 000 544 Chile Main article Chile Israel relations Chile recognized Israel s independence in February 1949 Israel sent its first ambassador to Chile in May 1950 and Chile sent its first ambassador to Israel in June 1952 Prime Minister Golda Meir visited Chile during her term in office In March 2005 the Chilean minister of foreign affairs Ignacio Walker made an official visit to Israel Chile is home to the largest Palestinian community outside the Middle East approximately 500 000 545 546 Colombia Main article Colombia Israel relations nbsp President Ivan Duque with President Isaac Herzog Colombia and Israel established formal relations in the mid 1950s In recent years Colombia has purchased planes drones weapons and intelligence systems from Israel An Israeli company Global CST won a 10 million contract in Colombia 547 On May 1 2024 Colombian president Petro announced Colombia would break diplomatic ties with Israel 548 Guyana Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 9 March 1992 549 Paraguay In September 2018 Paraguay announced that it was moving its embassy in Israel out of Jerusalem and back to Tel Aviv just months after a previous Paraguayan administration had opened the new mission The US Guatemala and Paraguay all moved their embassies to Jerusalem in May 2018 Paraguay said it had officially recognized the military wings of Palestinian group Hamas and Lebanon s Hezbollah as terrorist organizations drawing praise from Israel President Mario Abdo Benitez made the declaration in an official document in August 2019 550 Peru Main article Israel Peru relations Israel and Peru established diplomatic relations in 1957 In 1998 the two countries began talks on a free trade agreement 551 Israel sent rescue teams and medical aid to Peru after earthquakes in 1970 2005 and 2007 552 553 In 2001 Eliane Karp a former Israeli became the First Lady of Peru 554 Suriname Suriname and Israel established diplomatic relations on 24 February 1976 555 In February 2011 non resident Israeli ambassador to Suriname Amiram Magid criticized the government of Suriname for recognizing the State of Palestine 556 On 30 May 2022 in a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid Surinamese Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin announced plans to open a Surinamese embassy in Jerusalem in the near future 557 On 23 June Surinamese President Chan Santokhi announced the cancellation of the Jerusalem embassy plans citing a lack of funds 558 Uruguay Main article Israel Uruguay relations Israel has an embassy in Montevideo Uruguay has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 2 honorary consulates in Ashdod and Haifa Uruguay was one of the first nations to recognise Israel as independent Venezuela Main article Israel Venezuela relations Relations were once strong but the bilateral ties soured under the Presidency of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela 559 The Jewish population in Venezuela which peaked at 45 000 560 is now below 15 000 as a result of severe instability in the country according to the Israeli Stephen Roth Institute 561 The Miami Herald Jewish Times and Jewish organizations have reported large scale emigration of Jewish people from Venezuela during the Chavez administration 562 563 As a result of the June July 2006 battles in the Gaza Strip Venezuela withdrew its ambassador to Israel Following the Israeli attack on Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009 Venezuela cut its diplomatic ties with Israel Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez called the attack genocidal and urged that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert be tried for war crimes Israeli foreign aidMain article Israeli foreign aid Israeli foreign aid comprises primarily development assistance and humanitarian aid provided by Israel to foreign countries Israel provides assistance to developing countries to alleviate and solve economic and social problems through its international cooperation program of technical assistance based on its own recent and ongoing experience in developing human and material resources Israel s Agency for International Development Cooperation established as an agency of the Israeli Foreign Ministry in 1958 and known by its Hebrew acronym MASHAV is the primary vehicle for providing this aid 564 Israel has provided humanitarian assistance to developing countries in Asia Africa South America Oceania and Central Europe through the activities of Mashav 565 with the goal to give developing countries the knowledge tools and expertise that Israel gained in its own development and its ability to make the desert flourish This center trains course participants from approximately 140 countries on healthcare as well as emergency and disaster medicine and has participated in dozens of projects worldwide in fields economic fields such as agriculture education development employment and healthcare as well as humanitarian fields such as disaster relief reconstruction and refugee absorption 566 In the 1970s Israel broadened its aid agenda by granting safe haven to refugees and foreign nationals in distress from around the world Since the 1980s Israel has also provided humanitarian aid to places affected by natural disasters and terrorist attacks In 1995 the Israeli Foreign Ministry and Israel Defense Forces established a permanent humanitarian and emergency aid unit which has carried out humanitarian operations worldwide In addition to providing humanitarian supplies Israel has also sent rescue teams and medical personnel and set up mobile field hospitals in disaster stricken areas worldwide 567 Non government Israeli humanitarian aid organizations such as IsraAid The Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid Fast Israeli Rescue and Search Team FIRST Israeli Flying Aid IFA Save a Child s Heart SACH and Latet Hebrew for to give provide various types of aid in foreign countries complementing or in coordination with the official government aid They provide humanitarian aid such as search and rescue teams to disaster zones life saving aid to people affected by natural or man made disasters medical aid disease prevention urgent pediatric heart surgery and follow up care for children from developing countries and food aid 568 See also nbsp Israel portal nbsp Politics portal General Ministry of Foreign Affairs Israel Jerusalem Embassy Act List of Israeli ambassadors List of diplomatic missions in Israel List of diplomatic missions of Israel International recognition of Israel Visa policy of Israel Visa requirements for Israeli citizens Aliyah Jewish diaspora IsraAid History of Israel Arab Israeli peace diplomacy Arab Israeli conflict International law and the Arab Israeli conflict Israel and the United Nations Palestine and the United Nations Israeli Palestinian peace process Faisal Weizmann Agreement 1949 Armistice Agreements Camp David Accords Madrid Conference of 1991 Oslo Accords Israel Jordan Treaty of Peace 2000 Camp David Summit List of Middle East peace proposalsReferences a b c d e f Israel s diplomatic missions abroad status of relations Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs This source lists diplomatic relations with 156 UN member states in addition to the Holy See the Cook Islands and Niue Not included in the list are the recent resumption or establishment of diplomatic relations with five UN member states Bahrain Bolivia Guinea Nicaragua and the United Arab Emirates in addition to Kosovo United States Congress 5 June 2008 H RES 1249 PDF Since the publication of this document Mauritania and Venezuela severed relations with Israel and Bahrain Chad Guinea and the United Arab Emirates resumed or established relations Chapin Metz Helen ed 1988 Israel A Country Study Washington D C GPO for the Library of Congress Timeline of Turkish Israeli Relations 1949 2006 PDF Archived from the original PDF on 19 March 2009 Turkey and Israel Smi uib no Archived from the original on 22 February 2011 Retrieved 5 June 2010 Israel Seeks To Raise Profile of African Aid Forward com 29 September 2006 a b Lin Christina 26 July 2014 Will the Middle Kingdom Join the Middle East Peace Quartet Times of Israel Retrieved 29 July 2014 a b c d e f China learns Israeli agri tech Consulate of Israel in Hong Kong and Macau 3 May 2012 a b c Keeley Sean 24 January 2017 The Eight Great Powers of 2017 The American Interest a b c d Evron Yoram 18 April 2015 Ynetnews Opinion US alienation leading to Israeli Chinese renaissance Ynetnews Ynetnews com Retrieved 18 July 2017 Report claims Israel and Europe could be on collision course The Daily Times 15 October 2004 Archived from the original on 3 March 2006 Leslie Susser 25 March 2009 Israel Europe ties showing strains Jewish Telegraphic Agency Archived from the original on 28 March 2009 Retrieved 2 March 2012 Pentagon chief laments growing Israeli isolation from Turkey Egypt Associated Press 3 December 2011 Retrieved 7 January 2012 Callick Rowan 27 February 2012 Israel making Asian inroads The Australian Retrieved 2 March 2012 span, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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