Israel Welcomes Ukraine’s Decision to Open Diplomatic Office in Jerusalem

Photo Credit: Hillel Maeir/TPS

Israel welcomed Ukraine’s decision to open a diplomatic branch of their Tel Aviv Embassy in Jerusalem, the latest country to establish a diplomatic presence in Israel’s capital.

The decision was made following an agreement between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu visited Ukraine in mid-August, the first visit by an Israeli prime minister since he traveled to the country in March 1999.

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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko stated Friday that his country and Israel “are getting closer – an important event.”

Ukraine will open an innovation office in Jerusalem, which, together with the Embassy in Tel Aviv, “will help new industries in the two countries find partners,” he said.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz lauded the decision which “strengthens the status of Jerusalem in the world.”

He instructed his ministry to implement the decision immediately.

Yuval Rotem, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the move is “another manifestation of the solid relations” between the two countries.

Several countries in the past year have moved their embassies or established a diplomatic presence in Jerusalem.

The US was the first country to make the historic move and relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv in May 2018. Guatemala followed suit shortly after.

Honduras was the latest country to open a diplomatic trade office in Jerusalem in September.

Hungary in March held a dedication ceremony for its new diplomatic trade mission in Jerusalem, a branch of the Hungarian Embassy in Tel Aviv.

Slovakia and Brazil have plans to open similar diplomatic offices in the city.

Australia and Russia have recognized west Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.