List of Countries Supporting Israel

Which Countries Supported Israel?

In a recent development, there has been a significant uptick in worldwide support for Israel, with a total of 84 countries openly declaring their endorsement. Among these nations are prominent players such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Norway, Austria, Germany, India, Canada, Poland, Spain, and even the European Union as a collective entity. The majority of these countries have affirmed their backing of Israel’s legitimate right to self-defense, particularly in the face of challenges presented by groups like Hamas.

Understanding “which countries are supporting Israel” and the intricacies of the Hamas-Israel conflict is paramount to grasp the current Middle East dynamics. With 84 nations backing Israel and several others supporting Hamas, the situation remains intricate. As the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, staying informed is more important than ever.

Where Does Israel Get Its Oil?

Which countries are supporting Israel?

Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, which has entered its third day on Monday, nations across the globe have demonstrated their support for Israel, while others have extended their backing to the Palestinian armed group.

International Recognition of Israel

The establishment of the State of Israel occurred through the Israeli Declaration of Independence on 14 May 1948, and it gained full membership in the United Nations (UN) on 11 May 1949. As of December 2020, approximately 85% of the total UN member states, amounting to 165 countries, have diplomatically recognized Israel. The nation also maintains bilateral relations with all members of the Permanent Five. Conversely, 28 member states have either never acknowledged Israel or have withdrawn their recognition. Some countries have severed diplomatic ties without explicitly retracting their acknowledgment. Furthermore, several non-recognizing nations, particularly those in the Muslim world, have contested Israel’s existence, primarily due to deep-seated animosity arising from the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and the Arab–Israeli conflict.

Foreign Relations of Israel

Israel has diplomatic relations with 164 out of 192 UN member states as of December 2020 and is a member of various international organizations. Notably, it has peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan and established diplomatic ties with four Arab League countries in 2020. Israel’s foreign relations are shaped by its strategic position, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and tensions with Iran. The nation aims to overcome diplomatic isolation, achieve recognition, and build friendly relations worldwide through open and secret diplomacy. Key foreign policy goals include fostering Jewish immigration, aiding developing countries, and ensuring the well-being of Jewish communities globally.

The longstanding alliance with the United States is pivotal, and historical ties with Iran existed until 1979. Israel has maintained warm relations with China, balancing ties between Israel and the Muslim world. The European Union’s growing influence has raised concerns, leading to enhanced relations with countries like Greece, Cyprus, China, and India. While relations with some countries like Turkey have been strained, ties with Egypt have improved over time.

Membership in international organizations

Israel’s initial foray into international organizations took place in the early days of 1949 when it became a member of the International Wheat Council under the Point Four Program. Subsequently, Israel has maintained its membership in the United Nations since May 11, 1949.

Israel actively participates in various UN agencies, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). In addition, Israel engages with international bodies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). However, in 2019, Israel, in coordination with the United States, withdrew from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Within UNESCO, Israel was actively involved in numerous international programs and organizations related to science, including 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).

Israel’s engagement extends to various other organizations, including 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). These relations are managed through the Israeli National Commission for UNESCO.

Israel has been a member of the European Union’s Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development (FP) since 1994, participating in entities such as the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). Additionally, Israel has been a member of the Bank for International Settlement (BIS) since 2003.

In 2010, Israel received an invitation to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Furthermore, Israel is part of NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue forum and, as of 2014, a member of the Paris Club.

After more than 50 years of not being associated with a regional grouping in the UN, Israel joined the Western European and Others group temporarily in 2000 and became a permanent member in 2014.

Diplomatic relations of Israel

After the formation of the State of Israel in 1948, the country faced boycotts from the Arab League and efforts to diplomatically isolate it. As of 2020, Israel maintains diplomatic relations 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. Some nations recognize Israel as a state but do not have diplomatic ties. While certain countries once had diplomatic relations with Israel, they have since terminated or suspended them. For instance, 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. Additionally, some countries, all members of the Arab League, previously had formal economic ties (mostly trade offices) with Israel that fell short of full diplomatic relations, but later severed such ties (Morocco, Oman, Qatar, and Tunisia; however, Morocco renewed ties and established diplomatic relations in 2020).

List of countries with which Israel maintains diplomatic relations with

Israel No Diplomatic Relations

As of 2020, diplomatic relations with Israel are not maintained by 28 United Nations member states. The periods during which former relations existed are indicated in parentheses:

• Africa: Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Libya, Mali (1960–1973), Mauritania (2000–2009), Niger (1960–1973, 1996–2002), Somalia, Tunisia (trade relations 1996–2000) (Algeria, Libya, and Somalia do not acknowledge Israel.)
• Americas: Cuba (1950–1973), Venezuela (1950–2009), and Bolivia (1950–2009; 2019–2023)
• East Asia: North Korea (Does not recognize Israel as a state.)
• Middle East: Iran (1948–1951, 1953–1979), Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman (trade relations 1996–2000), Qatar (trade relations 1996–2009), Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen (Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Yemen do not recognize Israel as a state.)
• South and Central Asia: Afghanistan and Bangladesh, Maldives (1965–1974), Pakistan (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan do not recognize Israel as a state.)
• Southeast Asia: Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia

States and Entities Without Diplomatic Relations with Israel

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

• Taiwan (Republic of China): While Taiwan recognizes Israel, official diplomatic relations are absent due to Israel’s acknowledgment of the People’s Republic of China. Unofficial relations exist.
• States with Limited Recognition: Israel does not recognize the independence of the following entities, and therefore, diplomatic relations are nonexistent: Abkhazia, Artsakh, Northern Cyprus, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Somaliland, South Ossetia, Transnistria.
• Sovereign Military Order of Malta: Israel lacks diplomatic relations with the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

Limited Relations

• The nation of Comoros does not maintain official diplomatic ties with Israel. However, the two countries actively engage in mutual trade relations.
• Furthermore, Israeli citizens are permitted entry into North Korea using their Israeli passports. Similar to other foreign visitors, they are required to deposit their passports with local authorities and use specially issued local documents during their stay.

Present situation

As of December 2020, Israel is recognized by 165 out of 193 UN member states, while 28 countries, including 15 members of the Arab League, 10 non-Arab members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and Cuba, North Korea, and Venezuela, do not recognize Israel. The Arab League proposed recognizing Israel in 2002 as part of the Arab Peace Initiative. The Abraham Accords in September 2020 between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain were criticized by the Palestinian National Authority as a betrayal to the Palestinian cause.

Certain countries, such as Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan, do not accept Israeli passports for travel. Additionally, 13 countries, including Algeria, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia, do not accept Israeli passports, and some also reject passports with Israeli visas or stamps. To address this, Israeli immigration avoids stamping passports and instead uses separate inserts.

Some countries prohibit direct flights and overflights to and from Israel. However, in August 2020, the UAE allowed direct flights from Israel, and Saudi Arabia and Bahrain authorized overflights. In October 2020, Israel and Jordan agreed to permit flights to cross over both countries’ airspace.

In 2017, the Israeli flag and anthem were banned at the International Judo Federation in Abu Dhabi, but the ban was lifted in 2018. In December 2017, seven Israelis were denied visas by Saudi Arabia for an international chess tournament.

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