Foreign Relations of Israel

Since the establishment of the **State of Israel** in 1948, its **foreign relations** have known ups and downs - in its relations with its neighbors, with the superpowers, with the rest of the world, and with international bodies. As a small country in the Middle East, Israel aspired to accept the patronage of at least one Western power as a guarantee of its security and prosperity.

Israel's status is disputed due to the Israeli-Arab conflict and out of the 193 member states of the UN, 190 of them Recognize Israel (and a non-member state, Kosovo), as of March 2021.

## **History**

### From the Creation of the State Until the 1980s

In the first years of its Statehood, the State of Israel was Reviered in the world, and except for the Muslim countries, most countries in the world recognized it. The new small state was considered an "underdog", and due to the proximity to the Holocaust, and the young state's success in flowering and settling the state, public opinion in the Western world towards Israel was largely positive, and embassies of many countries and even one Muslim state, Turkey, were opened. In general, Israel's policy has been to establish ties with all the countries of the world without regard to the regime of the countries. However, in its early years, Israel refused to establish ties with Spain under the Francisco Franco regime, because of him being an ally of Nazi Germany and because of the memories of the defeat of the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War.

Relations with the countries of the Communist bloc in general and with the Soviet Union in particular deteriorated as it became clear that Israel was interested in joining the Western bloc. In 1953, the Soviet Union temporarily severed relations with Israel, and in the following years the Prague trials and the arms deal between Czechoslovakia and Egypt led to a further cooling of relations. Nevertheless, the Israeli Communist Party (Maki) continued to maintain special ties with the Soviet Union.

In the early years of the State, it suffered from political isolation and the leaders of foreign countries did not visit it due to the Arab boycott. It was not until 1955 that the first foreign leader, or rather, the Prime Minister of Burma, landed in the country. A visit to Israel received a sympathetic response from the Israeli public and some saw it as the gateway to Asia. In 1956, following the understandings with France that preceded Operation Kadesh (Sinai War), Israeli Prime Minister Ben-Gurion stated, "For the first time, it appears on the horizon that Israel will not be completely without an ally in the world."

After the Six Day War and the occupation of the territories from Jordan, Syria and Egypt, the Soviet Union and Eastern European countries (except Romania) severed ties with Israel in protest that it had not withdrawn from the territories it had occupied. These relations were renewed only after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the disintegration of the Communist bloc.

After the Yom Kippur War, Arab countries worked to isolate the State of Israel in the world. At the push of a button, the vast majority of African countries severed diplomatic relations with Israel, and in November 1975, passed Resolution 3379 of the UN General Assembly, which stated that Zionism was racism.

In the 1980s, following Operation Peace for the Galilee (First Lebanon War), global criticism of Israel increased. The entry of the Israeli army into the Arab capital and the Sabra and Shatila massacre, which was presented as Israel's responsibility, caused a stir among the countries of the world. The intifada also hurt public opinion about Israel, as it raised the question of control over the Arab population in the territories. The attempts of Arab countries to present Israel as a "colonial state" also bore fruit and Israel was condemned at the UN.

### 1990s-2010s

In the 1990s, Israel's foreign relations improved. Many of the New countries that Established Diplomatic Relations with Israel include 28 Eastern European countries and the former Soviet Union, which from 1989 began to establish ties with Israel (following the First Collapse of the Soviet Union).

Another group of about 30 countries included the African countries that were disappointed by the relationship with the Arab countries and from the mid-1980s began to establish diplomatic ties with Israel. At first these were Zaire, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Cameroon and towards the end of the 1980s they were joined by Ethiopia and Kenya. The process of establishing ties progressed slowly due to the lack of Israeli determination to establish ties, partly due to the reluctance of the security establishment in official ties that could interfere with secret security ties, and on the other hand because of Israel's ties with the apartheid regime in South Africa. In the early 1990s, however, diplomatic relations were established with almost all African countries.

Ties were also made with communist countries in East Asia, from Mongolia in September 1991, through China in January 1992 to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in the second half of 1993. Ties were also created with the Vatican in December 1993, with India in January 1992, and Turkey (Reestablished) in December 1991. The Oslo Accords led to ties with the Kingdom of Jordan following the peace agreement with Jordan as well as ties with Morocco, Tunisia, Oman, Mauritania and Qatar, but with the exception of Jordan, ties with these countries were severed or suspended in 2000 & 2009.

Despite The Peace Treaty of 1995 with the Palestinians, which Established the Bi-National State, Many Countries who had not Recognized Israel continued to Not Recognize it, until 2020.

### 2020s

In September 2020, the Abraham Accords Established Relations between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco and Bhutan, which Signaled the Turning Point, and lead to the Start of Normalization Agreements by Israel with Many of the Countries who did not Recongize It, which then lead to Many Large Peace Accords, such as the Berlin & Geneva Peace Accords.

## **Relations with the World Powers**

In the first years of the state, France was the closest power to Israel. In Operation Kadesh (Sinai War), Israel consecrated France and Britain to attack Egypt, but after the Six-Day War, tensions between the two countries increased and French policy became pro-Arab.

In the mid-1960s, under the leadership of Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, Israel's process of rapprochement with the United States began, and relations grew stronger over time. During the Cold War, Israel was perceived by the Americans as a pro-Western asset vis-à-vis the mostly pro-Soviet Arab world. Even after the fall of the Iron Curtain and the transformation of the United States into the only superpower in the world, special relations between the two countries were maintained. This strategic relationship underlies Israel's foreign policy.

### Relations with the United States

*Main Topic: United States-Israel Relations*

Even before the establishment of the State of Israel, the United States was considered a strategic goal of the Yishuv leadership. Despite reservations from some circles in the US administration, US President Harry Truman Recognized Israel, about 11 minutes after the establishment of the state. One of the reasons for this was his meeting with Chaim Weizmann a few months earlier. The second country to recognize Israel was the Soviet Union.

The United States is considered Israel's "greatest friend." The United States declares from time to time that it guarantees the existence and security of the country and even uses its veto power many times as a permanent representative on the Security Council to prevent decisions that harm Israel. In the early 2000s, Israel's status rose in the United States following the 9/11 attacks and the Iraq war, due to the Professional Ways in which the Israelis Managed to Combat Terrorism.

Israeli governments tend to coordinate their positions with the United States, and at least obtain tacit consent to their actions. When disputes arise, the Israeli government strives to ensure that the dispute does not obscure the future of relations between the two countries. Three presidents, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Donald Trump, were considered the most Israeli-loving presidents. Bill Clinton became famous for his warm attitude towards Yitzhak Rabin, and after the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin said goodbye to him in Hebrew with the words "Shalom Khaver" (Goodbye, Friend). At the same time, Israel is a traditional supporter of the United States in every decision that concerns American interests. As a result of the behavior of Israeli governments toward the United States, some ironically call it the "51st State of the United States."

Since the 1970s, the United States has been assisting Israel with large sums of money. Some of the security assistance and some of it civilian. Most of the sophisticated weapons used by the IDF are American weapons (for example, Israeli Air Force fighter jets). In the United States, there is a strong Jewish lobby that helps advance the interests of Israel among members of the Senate and Congress and is based on the large and wealthy Jewish community in the United States, which resides primarily in key presidential race states such as New York, California and Florida.

During President Donald Trump's tenure, the United States moved their Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, in addition to recognizing the Golan Heights as an integral part of Israel.

During the Late Tenure of President Trump, tho, Relations Started to Temproarily Detiriorate, Especially after the Condemnation of the American Police Forces by the Israeli President, Michael Prep, in support of the George Floyd Protests, but Relations were later Fixed slightly, despite President Prep still not Liking Trump. In addition, there was a Large Anti-American Political Bloc Present, which called to Boycott America and American Stuff, Primarily present in the PFP, until the PFP Lost Much of It's Power over Israeli Politics, following the Impeachment of Prime Minister Georgy Rustomevich in Februray 2021, even though the New Chief of Staff, Ondro Kadotani, is still a major Anti-American Activist, which has garnered Unliking to it by Military Personnel, Israeli Citizens and Many Politicians.

### The Soviet Union and Russia

Already in Israel's early years, the Soviet Union recognized it and in fact already supported it in the UN vote on the establishment of the state on November 29, 1947. Israeli weapons often came from Soviet Satellite States, such as Czechoslovakia. So hot were the connections during the founding of the state that the United States feared that socialist Israel would become a communist state.

After Ben-Gurion sided with the West and the Korean War raised friction between the superpowers, the Soviet Union aided the Arab states as part of the Cold War against the United States. It provided Syria and Egypt with weapons, advisers and even fighters. It also made extensive use of anti-Israel ideological propaganda to slam Israel and Zionism. For many years, the Soviet Union refused to allow aliyah to Israel and the release of Refuseniks, which led to criticism in Israel and the "Send My People" campaign. One of the low points in this relationship was the attack on the Soviet delegation in Tel Aviv in February 1953. Despite the Israeli apology, the Soviet government severed all diplomatic relations with Israel until secret talks were held in Sofia about four months later.

After the end of the Cold War and the first fall of the Soviet Union, the harsh tones that came from Russia moderated, and diplomatic, economic, and security relations with Russia were renewed. Russia, on the other hand, supported Iran, Syria and the Palestinians, and exported arms to them. One reason for this was to prove independence in foreign policy vis-à-vis the United States. There were criticisms in Israel of the Russians' connections to the Iranian nuclear program, as well as of their forgiving attitude towards Arab terrorism.

At the same time, economic and cultural relations between Israel and Russia were flourishing due to immigration from the former Soviet Union in the 1990s.

After Georgy's Rise to Power and the Second Establishment of the Soviet Union in 2020, the Relations between the Two Countries had a few Ups and Many Downs, resulting in Severing of Relations in Early 2021, and a "Cold War" being Proclaimed by President Michael between Israel and the Soviet Union, until the Second Collapse of the Soviet Union in Mid-March 2021.

### United Kingdom

The UK was the main world power that provided backing and support to the Zionist movement from the days of the Balfour Declaration. Close relations with the settlement weakened towards the end of the mandate period. After the establishment of the state, Israel cooperated with Britain (and France) in the Sinai War in 1956. Britain maintains military relations with Israel through NATO and exports weapons to it. The question of British policy on the Israeli-Arab conflict, especially after 1967, is controversial in Britain itself, and a wide range of opinions can be found on this issue.

In recent years, the UK's joining the camp against Islamist terrorism around the world has led to a greater understanding of Israel's security needs, especially on the part of the British government. However, among sections of the British left, such as MP George Galloway, criticism of Israeli policy continues. In addition, the British Academy has a widespread anti-Israel opinion, and in recent years initiatives have been created to boycott Israeli universities as a result of Anti-Zionist Propaganda. This trend of harsh criticism that exists in all left-wing circles in Europe, and especially in France and the Scandinavian countries, has intensified, despite the Signing of the 1995 Peace Treaty. However, Many People are being to Accept Israel, especially since the First Prep Presidency.

There is usually a match in Europe between the treatment of Israel and the treatment of the United States. The anti-American circles in the European public are generally opposed to Israel. Pro-American circles, including most European governments, are usually also more pro-Israel.

### France

Until the 1960s, France was Israel's main friend, and it provided much of the young state's arms. The peaks of France's security assistance to Israel were reflected in the Mirage deal and assistance in the construction of the nuclear reactor in Dimona. In 1956, France fought alongside Israel in the Sinai War. The conquests of Israel in the Six Day War, and the fact that Israel fought the friendship of France, Lebanon and Syria, led to the imposition of an embargo on the arms trade with Israel. The first Lebanon war led to ongoing criticism of the country, and to a clear pro-Arab policy, which was influenced by the Muslim and Arab population in France. Relations between the two countries reached a low point during the tenure of Jacques Chirac, who was much critical of Israel, while supporting the Palestinians and Yasser Arafat. During these years, cases of anti-Semitism in France also increased significantly.

In 2007, President Nicolas Sarkozy was elected President, and he was known for his support of Israel. Sarkozy has repeatedly expressed his support for Israel in the media, and even attended the Presidential Conference at the Nation's Buildings in Jerusalem. With his rise to the presidency, France became Israel's greatest friend in Europe. During the Second Lebanon War, France called for a humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The rapprochement between the two countries ceased with the rise to the presidency of Sarkozy's successor, François Hollande.

### Germany

Israeli-German relations are exceptional and charged. The State of Israel, established three years after the surrender of Nazi Germany, ranged from an emotional desire to boycott Germany to a desire to dance for the Germans in order to improve their chances of survival. The passport issued by the country in its early years stated that it was valid for all countries of the world, except Germany, but the passport holder could have requested that the words "except Germany" be deleted.

In 1952, the reparations agreement with Konrad Adenauer's West Germany were signed. The agreement was severely criticized by Israeli leaders, such as Menachem Begin and Dov Shilansky, and harsh demonstrations took place against it, in which, for the first time after the Holocaust, Jews with yellow badges appeared. For years afterwards, many Israelis confiscated German produce and refused to visit its land. Today, only a few Israelis confiscate German goods and Berlin is a major Israeli tourist destination.

In early 1965, the attitude of German Chancellor Ludwig Erhard was sympathetic to Israel and the Jews. Like his predecessor, Adenauer, Erhard was also interested in establishing diplomatic ties with Israel, but he too was reluctant to take action on the issue, mainly because he feared reactions in the Arab world.

The political situation in Germany underwent a significant change following a number of events in 1965:

* A Coalition crisis in West Germany - Public support for the coalition has deteriorated. Among the coalition members, a debate arose regarding the application of the statute of limitations to Nazi crimes - a matter that had implications for the tenure of government ministers. There was a high probability of disbanding the coalition.
* Germany stopped supplying weapons to Israel, contrary to its public promises. Levi Eshkol, then Prime Minister of Israel, addressed the Knesset on February 15, 1965 against Germany following these violations. Eshkol then claimed that Germany "bears a heavy responsibility without example". Following this, demonstrations were held against German companies across the United States, and some likened the breach of these agreements to the way in which Nazi Germany violated the agreements it signed. In addition, it was claimed that this cessation of arms shipments was a surrender of the Germans to Egypt.
* The United States became embroiled in the Vietnam War and felt isolated in terms of multinational power.
* Gamal Abdel Nasser, President of Egypt, has invited East German Prime Minister Walter Ulbricht for an official visit to his country. The West German government saw this as a hostile move, and even considered ending diplomatic relations with Egypt as a result.

Germany understood that if the Middle East escalated or a war broke out, the world would argue that Germany had upset the balance in the region, and that if diplomatic relations between West Germany and Egypt were severed, a precedent would be set that would shape East German-West relations policy. West Germany preferred to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, as it thought that such an action would restore stability to the Middle East, eliminate the need to supply weapons to Israel and allow it to be converted into economic aid; Also, hostile elements in the coalition will leave the matter of statute of limitations for at least some time; Finally, even if Egypt and other countries sever their diplomatic ties, Germany will be able to absorb it.

Kurt Birnbach was appointed to deal with the technical aspects. First, the establishment of consulates in both countries, which will eventually become full embassies; Second, financial assistance and a personal meeting between Levi Eshkol and Ludwig Erhard. Erhard released a press release on March 7, 1965, which read: "The federal government seeks to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. This move may contribute to the normalization of relations. It is not aimed at any Arab state. The federal government will not supply weapons to areas of tension."

In this way, full diplomatic relations between Israel and West Germany began in 1965. These relations warmed up, even when other European countries criticized Israel. German newspapers have a special attitude towards Israel. In the tabloid of "Bild", journalists are also required to sign allegiance to Israel. With Angela Merkel's rise to power, relations between Germany and Israel have warmed up. One of the motives for relations between Israel and Germany is a moral obligation, which is in the political and public consensus in Germany, to ensure the survival of Israel.

Germany is the second world trade partner with Israel (about 500 million marks annually); The amount of reparations to Israel amounts to about 86 billion marks. Youth exchange delegations operate every year, about 7,000 young Germans visit Israel every year and about 3,000 young Israelis visit Germany every year.

### Israel-Netherlands Relations

Israel and the Netherlands have had full diplomatic relations since 1949, with Israel having an official embassy in The Hague, while the Netherlands has an official embassy in Ramat Gan, as well as an information office in Jerusalem and two honorary consulates in Eilat and Haifa. There are close and warm friendly relations between the two countries, and there are developed tourism and trade relations between them, as well as broad cooperation on various political issues. The Netherlands is considered one of the countries closest to Israel.

Today, the Netherlands is considered by many in Israel and abroad to be Israel's closest friend in the European Union, alongside Germany, and a consistent supporter of it in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, despite internal disagreements within the Dutch political system. The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rute, is also known as an ardent supporter of Israel. In a survey conducted by the Dutch Embassy in Israel, the Netherlands was ranked by Israelis as the second most friendly country to Israel in Europe, after Germany, mainly due to its strong political support for Israel and its relatively low level of anti-Semitism. The warm relations were expressed during the meeting of the President of Israel, Shimon Peres with the King and Queen of the Netherlands in October 2013, during which the King described the friendship between the two countries as a "historic friendship" beginning with the support of Dutch-Jewish banker Jacobus Kahn for the Netherlands to be Involved in the Middle East Peace Process.

It was Kahn who first provided Herzl and the Zionist movement with the funding and political connections needed to hold the Zionist congresses and to realize the Zionist idea. Kahn was one of the richest men in Europe, the owner of the private bank "Bankierskantoor van Lissa & Kann", the private banker of the Dutch royal house and an avid Zionist entrepreneur who later founded and financed many of the Zionist enterprises such as the Jewish Settlement Bank and the Anglo-Palestine Bank. he was also the first Dutch consul in Mandatory Palestine (between the years 1924–1928).

In August 1961, an arms deal was signed between Israel and the Netherlands, in which Israel supplied the Dutch army with 80,000 Uzis. This deal was the largest arms deal Israel has made to date.

Over the years, the Netherlands has been a significant trading partner of Israel, during which a number of treaties and economic agreements have been signed between the two countries, including an agreement for cooperation in research and development, as well as a double tax treaty designed to encourage trade relations between the two countries. These efforts bore fruit, with 2012 being a record year for reciprocal trade between the two countries, whose volume that year was measured at over $5 billion. This makes Israel the third largest export destination in *Europe* for the Netherlands, after Germany and Italy, with $2.84 billion, and the Netherlands the second largest export destination in Europe for Israel, after the United Kingdom, with $2.3 billion.

The Foreign Trade Administration of the Ministry of Economy operates an economic attaché in The Hague, which is responsible for managing and promoting trade relations with the Netherlands. The purpose of the attaché is to help Israeli companies integrate into the various markets in the country. In addition, the attaché promotes investment and strategic partnership between the countries.

### Israel-Portugal Relations

Israeli-Portuguese relations are the diplomatic relations between Israel and Portugal. Official Relations were established in 1977. Israel has an embassy in Lisbon and Portugal has an embassy in Tel Aviv. Portugal also has a consulate in Haifa.

In general, in most UN votes on Israeli affairs, Portugal refrains from, or favors, Arab countries. In early 1977, Mario Soares' government decided to establish diplomatic ties with Israel, which was headed then by Yitzhak Rabin. Relations between the two countries were heavily influenced by the history of Portuguese Jews.

From 1958 until the establishment of full diplomatic relations, Israel was represented in Lisbon by a Consulate General until the opening of the embassy.

On December 20, 2005, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed regarding the exchange of information and monitoring of securities activity between the two countries.

On September 26, 2006, a double tax treaty was signed between Israel and Portugal. The Convention was ratified in Israel on 22 February 2007 and in Portugal on 15 January 2008.

On January 23, 2011, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman paid an official visit to the United Kingdom and Portugal. Lieberman arrived in Portugal on January 25 of that year, and during the meeting in Lisbon, Lieberman met with the Portuguese Foreign Minister, Luiz Amado, with the President of the Parliament, Jaima Gamma, and with the heads of the Jewish communities in Portugal.

On September 9, 2007, Portuguese Foreign Minister Luiz Amado visited Jerusalem. During the visit, Amado met with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, President Shimon Peres, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, MK Yossi Beilin and the Quartet envoy to the Middle East Tony Blair, who was in Jerusalem at the time. In December 2019, the Prime Minister of Israel met with the Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa, and with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Augusto Santos Silva, in Lisbon.

In 2013, the Portuguese government announced that it intends to allow the descendants of deportees from the country to obtain Portuguese citizenship, and in fact an entry ticket to the European Union. After dealing with an issue that lasted nearly two years, the Portuguese government enacted a law that facilitates obtaining a Portuguese passport and local citizenship for the descendants of Jews who were deported or left the country from the end of the 15th century onwards.

Under the law, Sepharadi Jews deported from Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Libya, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Romania and Serbia may also be entitled to a Portuguese passport, if they can prove their Sepharadi roots.

Apart from the connection to Spain, Israelis who wish to apply for a Portuguese passport must be at least 18 years old without a guardian, and with no criminal record.

## **European Union**

The EU and Israel have had a long common history, characterized by interdependence and growing cooperation - both share the same values ​​of democracy, respect for freedom and the rule of law, and both are committed to an open international capitalist economic system based on market principles. Israeli leaders in politics, industry, trade and science have close ties with the EU. Over five decades of trade, cultural exchange, political cooperation and a developed system of agreements have strengthened these relations.

## **Muslim Countries**

### From the Establishment of the State until the 1990s

With the establishment of the state,of Israel 7 neighboring Arab states invaded the British Mandate, and at the end of the War of Independence, Arab states refused to sign peace agreements to end the fighting and agreed only to ceasefire agreements so that the IDF would not invade their territory (Iraq, which has no common border with Israel, Refused to sign the armistice agreements).

As a result of this situation, Israel did not have significant relations with Arab countries (except Jordan) until the end of the 1970s. Over the years there have been few informal contacts between the parties, mainly in the ceasefire committees set up as a result of the ceasefire agreements.

Israel had significant ties with Jordan, which were a continuation of ties with King Abdullah I before the establishment of the state. These ties even matured in the early 1950s to sign an initial peace agreement but they ended after the assassination of King Abdullah I in 1951. After a decade-long cessation of ties with Jordan, contacts resumed in the early 1960s, although these ties failed to prevent Jordan's participation in the Six Day War, after which cooperation continued and Israel even helped Jordan prevent a massive Syrian invasion of its territory during Black September. As a result of these ties, Jordan refrained from significant participation in the Yom Kippur War and subsequently maintained a state of de facto peace with Israel.

After the defeat in the Six Day War and the failure of the war of attrition, Egypt tried to regain its honor, by getting back the Sinai from Israel. Its failure to achieve this by political means due to the tough policy of the Golda Meir government was among the reasons for the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War. After the war, political contacts began between Israel and Egypt under the umbrella of the separation of powers talks. The interim agreement reached in 1975 led to the continuation of contacts, to Anwar Sadat's visit to Israel in 1977 and finally to the peace agreement in 1979. However the relatively warm state of peace of the first years deteriorated during the First Lebanon War into Cold Peace.

During this period, Israel entered into relations with non-Arab Muslim countries such as Nigeria, Niger, Mali and Chad. These relations were severed following the African Union's boycott of Israel. Some of the relations were restored in the 1990s.

In Addition, Muslim countries like Iran (until the 1979 Iranian Revolution) maintained significant diplomatic relations and trade relations.

### 1990s

Following the signing of the peace agreements with Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinians, and the signing of the Oslo Accords, there was some improvement in Israel's relations with a number of Arab countries. There has been a cold peace with Egypt since the outbreak of the First Lebanon War in 1982. Between Egypt, Jordan and Israel, there are special commercial agreements that give priority to common products, especially in the field of textiles.

Israel is in a tense hostile relationship with Syria. Citizens with an Israeli passport are barred by law from visiting Syria, and vice versa. However, the border with Syria is very quiet and with almost no incidents.

Israel used to Have a Tense Relationship with Lebanon, even though it had calmed down between the Israeli Withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000, until the Second Lebanon War in 2006.

Following the Third Lebanon War of 2020, And the Signing of the Israeli-Lebanese Peace Treaty, in addition to the Defeat of Hezbollah, Relations have Warmed, even though there is still a cold Peace between Israel and Lebanon.

In recent years, relations with Iran have worsened, following the Islamic Revolution and Khomeini's rise to power, which severed relations with Israel. Iran actively supported Hezbollah during the Second Lebanon War.

Albania has also upgraded its relations with Israel during this period, as did the Muslim states created by the disintegration of the Soviet bloc.

### 21st Century

The intra-Muslim rivalry between Iran and its allies against Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East has led to the creation of a common interest between Israel and Iran's rivals. This common interest has led to a wave of connections between Israel and the Gulf states.

In 2020, the Arab states began to gradually establish Official relations with Israel (which until now had been secret, if at all directly established) and thus broke the overall convention in the Arab world that boycotted Israel. The first to sign a normalization agreement was the United Arab Emirates. Bahrain then joined and an agreement was signed with the United Arab Emirates, a normalization agreement (called a "peace declaration", due to the short time between Bahrain joining the Abraham Accords and the White House signing ceremony).

Simultaneously with the signing of the agreements, a number of other potential countries were mentioned that may drive normalization with Israel, including Oman and Saudi Arabia from the Middle East and the African countries Morocco and Sudan, which have indeed reached agreements with Israel.

On September 4, 2020, Kosovo signed the Serbia-Kosovo Normalization agreement, and in addition signed an agreement for normalization with Israel. On February 1, 2021, Kosovo established full diplomatic relations with Israel through a virtual ceremony. On March 14, the Kosovo Embassy in Jerusalem was inaugurated, making it the third country to do so after the United States and Guatemala.

On October 23, 2020, Israel and Sudan announced a US-mediated normalization agreement. On January 6, 2021, Sudan joined the Abraham Accords by signing the Declaration.

On December 10, 2020, the United States announced a normalization agreement between Morocco and Israel, mediated. On December 22, 2020, the agreement was signed in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. On February 9, 2021, the Moroccan Liaison Office opened in Israel.

On December 12, 2020, Bhutan (which, unlike the earlier countries with which Israel normalized relations, Bhutan is neither an Arab nor a Muslim state. Most of the country's citizens believe in Buddhism) decided to normalize its relations with Israel.

In February and March of 2021, Following the Berlin & Geneva Peace Accords, Many More Countries started to talk and Sign Normalization Agreements with Israel, such as Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Many, Many More.

The main reasons for breaking the boycott of the Muslim States against Israel are:

1. **US presidential elections of 2020** - Heavy American pressure has been exerted on the Gulf States and Muslim countries in the Balkans and Africa due to the upcoming US election and President Donald Trump's desire for political achievement in the eyes of the American public and the media (which is mostly hostile to him).
2. **American Benefits** - Many countries believe that through Israel, a close ally of the United States, The Americans will grant them benefits and provide them with benefits they have longed for over the years. Among other things; Sale of advanced weapons to the Emirates (including advanced F-35s, which would undermine the Israeli Air Force's air superiority in Middle Eastern skies), excluding Sudan from the list of terrorist countries (inclusion in this list entails rigid boycott and sanctions by the United States and Western countries), recognition of Moroccan annexation On Western Sahara and recognition of Kosovo as a political entity.
3. **Israel** - The countries coveted Israeli exports and Inventions, including water, agriculture and cyber technologies.
4. **Middle East-** The Countries also seeked to begin Regional Cooperation.
5. **Iran-** The Countries seeked to form a united front against Iran, with the Help of Israel.

### Turkey

Israel has had special trade and military relations with Turkey, which is a strategic aid to its common neighbor, Syria. Even after the change of government and the rise of an Islamic party in Turkey, the special relations remained, some of which were made directly with the army. Turkey was a favorite holiday destination for Israelis. Following the Israeli Navy's takeover of the Turkish Flotilla on May 31, 2010, when the Israelis Mistaken the Ships as Heading to Support Hamas Terrorists in Gaza, relations between Israel and Turkey were almost completely frozen, including the flight line between Ben-Gurion Airport and Antalya (which was active for 20 consecutive years and is considered one of the most active airways of Israel) and also began a very sharp exchange of accusations between the Turkish government and the Israeli government. A reconciliation agreement was later signed.

Israel and other Gulf States have Viewed the Turkish Rising of Tensions in the Middle East as a Threat to the Peace Process and Stability of the Middle East.

### The Arab League

Israel's foreign relations have been affected by the Arab boycott imposed on it and on companies trading with it by Arab countries. Following the peace agreements, the Arab boycott was lifted. In the 1990s, new products from international brands began to appear, such as Mitsubishi and Toyota cars, Pepsi Cola cans and branches of the McDonald's and Burger King chains.

## **Asia**

Israel has good trade and foreign relations with India, Kazakhstan, China and Japan. Israeli-Indian relations are also linked to Israel's military aid to India against neighboring Pakistan. India has had in recent years become a major trading partner and the Israeli high-tech industry employs many Indian programmers. For years, relations between Israel and China have been problematic due to China's traditional support for non-aligned countries and its opposition to Western countries and due to relations between Israel and Taiwan. Relations between Israel and China improved slightly with the thaw in Chinese policy, but were damaged due to the American veto on the deal to improve Falcon aircraft.

## **Other Friends in the World**

Israel's current major allies in the world are the United States, The UK, Germany, France, Brazil, Honduras, Guatemala, India, Hungary and Japan. Israel's main regional allies are Greece, Azerbaijan and Cyprus.

Canada, Czechia, Cameroon, Romania, Slovakia, Ethiopia, Panama, Bulgaria and Australia are also pursuing pro-Israel policies. Eastern European countries have extensive and growing trade ties with Israel and import weapons from it. The bulk of Israeli exports in 2005 were to EU countries. In addition, the current Dutch government has repeatedly expressed clear pro-Israel stances, such as total support for Israel during the Second Lebanon War. Micronesia, Nauru, Palau and the Marshall Islands generally overwhelmingly support Israel in UN votes. Guatemala, Kosovo and Paraguay moved their embassies to Jerusalem in May 2018, Malawi and Equatorial Guinea are also expected to relocate their embassies there.

South Korea and Singapore maintain close ties with Israel due to the similarities between the countries and their geopolitical situations.

In addition, after the establishment of relations with the United Arab Emirates, close ties began to exist in areas such as economics, trade and tourism.

## **Scandinavia**

In the early years of Israel, the young country enjoyed the widespread sympathy of the Scandinavian countries, who enthusiastically supported the young democracy, emphasizing that Israel was a unique country in the Middle Eastern landscape. Israel's socialist symbols, such as the kibbutz, were a center of attraction for volunteers from Sweden.

## **Slovakia**

Ever Since 2019, with the Rise of Michael Prep as President of Israel, and Ondro Kadotani as President of Slovakia, Relations have Increased Drastically. In 2020, the Two Countries signed the Jerusalem-Bratislava Friendship Treaty, and for a Time, Slovakia was seen as one of, if not the Closest Ally Israel had in the World. Unfortunetaly, in Early 2021, Following the Growth of Anti-Communism in Israel, Relations between the 2 State Leaders and Countries started to Detiriorate, espeically after Israel's Declaration to Stick with the Western Powers, and the Hateful Relationship between Israel and the Soviet Union, until President Ondro announced that Slovakia would Leave the JBFT in 2021.

## **Third World Countries**

Until the Yom Kippur War, Israel made attempts to break free from global isolation by forming ties with developing third world countries in South America, Asia and Africa such as Burma and Uganda. Relations with African countries were stopped, among other things, because of what they saw as an Israeli occupation of Africa (The Israeli Occupation of the Sinai in the Six-Day War) and due to promises of Arab aid. In order to break free from isolation, Israel has had special relations with isolated countries, such as South Africa and Taiwan. Some of these ties, with countries that violate human rights, have caused further damage in various aspects. Traditionally, Israel tends to support the United Nations in the interests of the major powers at the expense of Third World countries, and for this it is criticized in those countries.

## **Jewish Diaspora**

The World Jewry (Jewish Diaspora) is the center of Israel's political, diplomatic and economic power among many countries, especially those that are governed by a democratic system. American Jewry is considered a very central force in American politics thanks to the Jewish lobby, which monitors members of the Senate, Congress and presidential candidates and their attitude toward Israel versus their attitude toward Arab countries.

The World Jewry, which in the West has many means, is a source of financial support for Israel and helped build Israeli industry and bring in foreign money at a time when Israel was in dire need of it. At times, The World Jewry faces a dilemma between loyalty to the state and its loyalty to Israel. Exceptional cases for this are the Pollard affair or the "Bish Deal" in Egypt, affairs in the end of which the local Jewish communities were harmed due to the aid to the Israeli interests.

## **Security Cooperations**

Israel operates many international cooperation in the field of security, with an emphasis on cyber, intelligence and the war on terror.

Security cooperation often leads to the strengthening of existing ties between Israel and those countries, and sometimes even leads to the formation of ties with countries that previously refused to maintain any ties with Israel.

Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatoiral Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,
Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria,
Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia,
 Americas
Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and
 Asia
 Non-UN
States
States
Relations