# Bulgaria–Israel relations

Bulgaria–Israel relations are foreign relations between Bulgaria and Israel. Bulgaria have recognized Israel on 29 November 1948 and opened embassy in 1952. Bulgaria as part of the Soviet bloc, Bulgaria has closed the embassy in Tel Aviv and severed diplomatic relations with Israel due to the Six-Days War on 10 June 1967. The relations were officially restored at the level of embassies on 3 May 1990.
Bulgaria and Israel maintain a strong friendly relationship.The Bulgarian-Israeli relationship covers many aspects of tourism, military, trade, culture, economics, education, and more.

## History
### Before 1948

The presence of Jews in Bulgaria goes back almost 2,000 years. The Jews in Bulgaria received equal rights as part of the creation of the modern state of Bulgaria under the terms of the Treaty of Berlin.
During the Second World War and the Holocaust, Bulgaria saved about 48,000 Bulgarian Jews while deporting to concentration camps about 11,000 Jews of the occupied territories.

### 1948–1990

Bulgaria has recognized Israel on 29 November 1948 and opened an embassy in 1952.
On 27 July 1955, the Bulgarian Air Force accidentally shot down El Al Flight 402 from London to Tel Aviv via Vienna. All 7 crew and 51 passengers on board were killed.
On 10 June 1967 Bulgaria has closed the embassy in Tel Aviv and severed diplomatic relations with Israel due to the Six-Day War. The Austrian embassy in Tel Aviv served as a Protecting power for Bulgarian interests. Bulgaria, as part of the Soviet Bloc, voted against Israel and voted in favor of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379.

### From 1990

After the collapse of the People's Republic of Bulgaria and the establishment of the Republic of Bulgaria, Bulgaria and Israel restored their relationship at the level of embassies on 3 May 1990. In 1991 was the first state visit of Israeli prime minister, Yitzhak Shamir, to Bulgaria, and a year after in 1992, was the first state visit of Bulgarian prime minister, Filip Dimitrov, to Israel.
On 16 December 1996 Bulgaria and Israel signed an Protection on Investment Agreement.
On 18 January 2000 Bulgaria and Israel signed an Avidness of Double Taxation Agreement.
On 15 July 2007 Bulgaria and Israel signed a visa free agreement.

## Economic relations and trade

Bulgaria and Israel have Free Trade Agreement part of the European Union Association Agreement since Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007.
Bulgaria – Israel trade in millions USD-$ :
| | Israel imports  Bulgaria exports | Bulgaria imports  Israel exports | Total trade value |
| 2023 | 151.2 | 78.9 | 230.1 |
| 2022 | 165.8 | 64.7 | 230.5 |
| 2021 | 143.2 | 51.2 | 194.4 |
| 2020 | 111.7 | 47.5 | 159.2 |
| 2019 | 106.6 | 39.9 | 146.5 |
| 2018 | 92 | 41 | 133 |
| 2017 | 97.8 | 51.9 | 149.7 |
| 2016 | 91 | 38.7 | 129.7 |
| 2015 | 82.7 | 88.8 | 171.5 |
| 2014 | 62.1 | 128.7 | 190.8 |
| 2013 | 62.2 | 53.8 | 116 |
| 2012 | 56.9 | 75.3 | 132.2 |
| 2011 | 62.1 | 219.3 | 281.4 |
| 2010 | 60.6 | 112.4 | 173 |
| 2009 | 42 | 69.8 | 111.8 |
| 2008 | 52 | 56.2 | 108.2 |
| 2007 | 63.8 | 54.3 | 118.1 |
| 2006 | 48.1 | 48 | 96.1 |
| 2005 | 48.2 | 42.2 | 90.4 |
| 2004 | 46 | 30.3 | 76.3 |
| 2003 | 35.2 | 23.7 | 58.9 |
| 2002 | 32.3 | 20.8 | 53.1 |

## Tourism

Tourism of Bulgarians in Israel and Israelis in Bulgaria :
| | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Tourists form Bulgaria Arriving to Israel | 20.5 | 9.6 | 0.7 | 3.2 | 19.8 | 16.4 | 11.8 | 8.4 | 8.7 |
| Tourists form Israel Arriving to Bulgaria | 206.6 | 174.0 | 54.3 | 54.2 | 246.4 | 245.6 | 209.3 | 183.8 | 155.3 |

## Resident diplomatic missions

* Bulgaria has an embassy in Tel Aviv.
* Israel has an embassy in Sofia.