Foreign relations of Israel

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High priorities in the foreign policy of Israel include seeking an end to hostilities with Arab forces, against which it has fought six wars since 1948 and gaining wide acceptance as a sovereign state with an important international role.

The State of Israel joined the United Nations on May 11, 1949. Today, Israel has diplomatic relations with 161 states. [1] It is notable as a probable nuclear power, though has refused to confirm or deny the existence of a nuclear weapons arsenal.

Contents

[edit] Diplomatic relations

Ever since the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the Jewish state has faced problems in its foreign policy. In 1948, Israel was in diplomatic isolation resulting from being boycotted by its Middle Eastern neighbours (see Arab League boycott). As an alternative, the government of Israel began developing ties with distant countries. The Israeli government sought to establish good relations especially with the United States government and the newly independent states in Africa and Asia.

Before 1967, the State of Israel had established diplomatic relations with a majority of the world's nations, except for the Arab states and some other Muslim countries. Following the Madrid Conference of 1991, and as a direct result of the peace process, Israel established or renewed diplomatic relations with 68 countries.

Following countries do not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel. (as of 19 November 2006)

Foreign relations with Israel around the world ██ diplomatic relations ██ special relations ██ diplomatic relations suspended ██ no relations established and the state does not recognize Israel ██ no relations established
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Foreign relations with Israel around the world
██ diplomatic relations ██ special relations ██ diplomatic relations suspended ██ no relations established and the state does not recognize Israel ██ no relations established

[edit] United States

Main article: Israel-United States relations

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 for almost 60 years.

[edit] Turkey

Main article: Turkey-Israel relations

Turkey was the first Muslim-majority nation to formally recognize the State of Israel, only one year after the Declaration of the Jewish State. Israel has been a major supplier of arms to Turkey. Military, strategic, and diplomatic cooperation between Turkey and Israel is accorded high priority by the governments of both countries, which share concerns with respect to the regional instabilities in the Middle East.

[edit] Arab states

Main articles: Arab-Israeli conflict, Arab League and the Arab-Israeli conflict, and Projects working for peace among Israelis and Arabs
See also: Israel-Lebanon conflict

Israel has full diplomatic relations with Egypt (the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty was signed in 1979), Jordan (the Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace was signed in 1994) and Mauritania and trade relations with Qatar. If a person's passport shows any evidence of travel to Israel, barring a diplomatic passport, they are forbidden entry to the Sultanate of Oman, among other Arab and Muslim states. [5] (See also Israeli passport)

On October 1, 1994, the Gulf States publicly announced their support for a review of the Arab boycott, in effect abolishing the secondary and tertiary boycotts against Israel. Israel has diplomatic relations with 9 non-Arab Muslim states and with 39 of the 43 Sub-Saharan African states that are not members of the Arab League.

Following the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, diplomats have been discussing the possibility of improved relations between Israel and Iraq. However, then-Iraqi PM Iyad Allawi said in 2004 that Iraq would not establish ties with Israel. [6]

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 summer 2006 Saudi boycott was not cancelled. [7] [8] [9]

[edit] China

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

[edit] Agriculture

Israel has provided China with technological assistance in the areas of advanced agriculture and irrigation. Bilateral R&D projects, supported by the China-Israel Agricultural Research Fund, are focused on the development of new varieties of fruit and vegetables, agricultural biotechnology and applying modern technologies for processing fresh produce. Israel has built three major demonstration farms in China and several training centers which are supported by both Chinese and Israeli ministries of agriculture.

[edit] Military

Israel has also provided China with military assistance, expertise and technology. According to a report from the US-China Security Review Commission, "Israel ranks second only to Russia as a weapons system provider to China and as a conduit for sophisticated 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. [10] [11]

[edit] India

Main article: India-Israel relations

India is regarded[12][13] as one of the strongest allies of Israel in Asia. Both countries work closely against terrorist activities in the Middle East and Southern Asia. Israel is India's second largest arms provider and the trade volume between the two countries has increased significantly in the past few years. Ever since India established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992, the collaboration between the two countries has blossomed.

[edit] Japan

Main article: Israel-Japan relations

On May 15, 1952, diplomatic relations were established with the government of 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, as demand in Japan for Israeli commodities was rising, relations between the governments improved. On November 22, 1973, the Japanese government stated it was reconsidering its relations with the Israeli government due to Israel's retention of lands occupied in 1967, but no break occurred. This had been at the same time the Arab world had imposed an oil embargo against several countries, including Japan.

[edit] Republic of Ireland (EU)

Full diplomatic relations between Ireland and Israel were established in 1975.[14] As of 2006, the Israeli ambassador to Ireland was Zion Evrony[15], and the Irish ambassador to Israel was Michael Forbes.[16]

The Irish government followed a similar line to other EU governments during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, with the Irish prime minister, 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.[17] During the conflict, a shipment of bombs that attempted to land in the Republic of Ireland from USA to Tel Aviv were 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. [18]

[edit] Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc

Main articles: Soviet Union and the Arab-Israeli conflict and Russia and the Arab-Israeli conflict

Although the Soviet Union initially sought to develop close ties with Israel, Soviet-Israeli relations worsened in the 1950s as Moscow turned to Egypt and Syria as its primary allies in the Middle East. The Soviet Union and the other communist states of Eastern Europe (except Romania) broke diplomatic relations with Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. However, those relations were restored by 1991.

[edit] South Africa

Main article: Israel-South Africa relations

Israel and South Africa developed a strong relationship throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Israel joined the West only in the late 1980s in boycotting South Africa before the collapse of apartheid. Relations between modern-day Israel and South Africa are increasingly warm, although South Africa has been an outspoken critic of Israel's treatment of the Palestinians.

[edit] Iran

Main article: Iran-Israel relations

Relations between Israel and Iran have alternated from close political alliances between the two states during the era of the Pahlavi dynasty to hostility following the rise to power of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Currently, the countries do not have diplomatic relations with each other.

[edit] Germany (EU)

Main article: Germany-Israel relations

Israel and Germany maintain a "special relationship" based on shared beliefs, Western values and a combination of historical perspectives. [19] Among the most important factors in their relations is Nazi Germany's role in the genocide of European Jews during the Holocaust. [20]

[edit] Venezuela

Main article: Israel-Venezuela relations

The bilateral relations have soured under the Presidency of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Israel. The Jewish population in Venezuela, which peaked at 45,000,[21] is now below 15,000 "as a result of severe instability in the country", according to the Israeli Stephen Roth Institute.[22] The Miami Herald, Jewish Times, and Jewish organizations have reported emigration of Jewish people from Venezuela during the Chávez administration.[23][24] As a result of the war in the Gaza Strip in June/July 2006, Venezula withdrew its ambassador to Israel. [3]

[edit] International organizations

The first international organization which the Israeli government joined was the International Wheat Council, established as part of Point Four Program in early 1949. Since May 11, 1949, the State of Israel is a member the United Nations. (See also Israel and the United Nations)

Israel is a member of many agencies within the UN, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 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). [25]

Within the UNESCO, Israel is a member of the scientific council of the Informatics program, an active member in the International Hydrologic Plan (IHP) and an active member of the Man and Biosphere programme (MAB). [26]

Israel has joined the European Union Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development [27] and is a member of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), [28] the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), [29] the European Laboratory and Organization for Molecular Biology (EMBP/EMBL/EMBC), [30] the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) since 1994, [31] the International Network for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises. [32] and the Bank for International Settlement in 2003. [33]

Israel has an observer status with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). [34]

Israel is a member of the Mediterranean Dialogue with NATO.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Israel's Diplomatic Missions Abroad (Israeli MFA)
  2. ^ a b non-Muslim country, enduring alliance with the Palestine Liberation Organization.
  3. ^   non-Muslim country.; Israel formally recognize the People's Republic of China. The People's Republic of China refuses to have diplomatic relations with any nation that recognizes the Republic of China; see political status of Taiwan. Due to this reason, Israel may not establish diplomatic relations with Republic of China.
  4. ^   non-Muslim country.; Bhutan only has diplomatic relations with 22 countries; see Foreign relations of Bhutan.
  5. ^ Oman (lonelyplanet.com)
  6. ^ Iraq not to establish diplomatic ties with Israel: Allawi (People's Daily) July 27, 2004
  7. ^ Saudi Arabia Continues Boycott of Israel By David Krusch. Jewish Virtual Library. August 2, 2006
  8. ^ Saudi Ambassador Says Trade Boycott of Israel Will Not End By ELI LAKE. New York Sun June 21, 2006
  9. ^ Arab League Boycott of Israel PDF CRS Report for Congress by Martin A. Weiss. Order Code RS22424. April 19, 2006
  10. ^ David Isenberg. "Israel's role in China's new warplane", Asia Times, Dec 4, 2002.
  11. ^ "China's hi-tech military disaster", The Times (UK), June 11, 2006.
  12. ^ [1]
  13. ^ [2]
  14. ^ Israel's Diplomatic Missions Abroad: Status of relations. Government of Israel. Retrieved on 2006-11-01.
  15. ^ Embassy of Israel, Dublin. Israeli Embassy, Dublin. Retrieved on 2006-11-01.
  16. ^ Irish Consulate and Embassy Information. Government of Ireland. Retrieved on 2006-11-01.
  17. ^ Taoiseach condemns killing of 4 UN Observers in Southern Lebanon. Government of Ireland (26 July 2006). Retrieved on 2006-11-01.
  18. ^ Flights protest targets Prestwick. BBC News (30 July 2006). Retrieved on 2006-11-01.
  19. ^ Israel's foreign relations. The Israel-German special relationship Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre] (BICOM) 23 November 2005. Accessed 2006-08-18
  20. ^ German Embassy. Background Papers. Germany and Israel
  21. ^ Halvorssen, Thor. Hurricane Hugo. The Weekly Standard, August 8, 2005, Volume 010, Issue 44. Also available at LookSmart.
  22. ^ Stephen Roth Institute. Annual Report 2004: Venezuela. Accessed August 11, 2006.
  23. ^ Berrios, Jerry. S. Fla. Venezuelans: Chavez incites anti-Semitism. Miami Herald (August 10, 2006).
  24. ^ Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. JCRC expresses concern with Venezuelan unrest. Accessed August 11, 2006.
  25. ^ Government, International Organizations (countriesquest.com)
  26. ^ UNESCO Ministry of Science and Technology of Israel (MOST)
  27. ^ FP (MOST)
  28. ^ CERN (MOST)
  29. ^ ESRF (MOST)
  30. ^ EMBP/EMBL/EMBC (MOST)
  31. ^ IPGRI (MOST)
  32. ^ INSME members
  33. ^ Bank for International Settlement - profile PDF
  34. ^ OECD (MOST)

[edit] See also

[edit] Arab-Israeli peace diplomacy and treaties

[edit] External links

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