The Dominican Republic is Reflecting on Moving its Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem

Last updated on November 4th, 2020 at 08:04 am

On Friday, the Dominican Republic declared that it is contemplating to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in Israel. Israel welcomed the announcement on Saturday. 

The Caribbean nation’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that called friendship between the two nations started in the fifteenth century when the primary exile from Spain showed up on the island and proceeded through the night before World War II when the republic cleared a path for a large number of Jewish migrants.” 

Israeli FM Gabi Ashkenazi commended the Dominican Republic and offered thanks to his Dominican ally, Roberto Alvarez Gil, for thinking about shifting the embassy. Ashkenazi Twitted. “I expressed gratitude toward him during our call yesterday for this significant choice and long periods of kinship between our two nations.”

However, so far only two nations – the United States and Guatemala – have opened their embassies in Jerusalem. The Dominican announcement came only a couple of days before the United States elections. 

The United States was the first nation to open its embassy in Jerusalem and recognize it as the capital of Israel. The move was followed by other nations in Latin America and the Balkans, who have moved their consulate to Jerusalem as well.

Palestinian Authority was angered by the move and had sued the United States in the International Court of Justice in Sept 2019, claiming that the US violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. 

Within two months of the new Dominican administration, President Luis Abinader stated that the nation shares a very special relationship with the United States. They are Dominican Republic’s primary trade allies. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authorities have halted trade with the United States.

The United States President Donald Trump, who is looking forward to a second term victory on Tuesday, had infuriated the Palestinians and numerous world leaders by shifting their embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and also recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in 2017.

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump declared a month ago that Kosovo and Serbia may likewise open consulates in Israel’s capital. 

A month ago, Guatemala moved its consulate to Jerusalem, and Honduras declared its aim to do likewise before the year-end, and Brazil is also considering the same.

As per political analysts, shifting of the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by many small nations following the steps of the United States is a smart money move. As most of the Israeli government offices are located in Jerusalem, and it will help them in doing business.

Article Credit: VI Free Press/ Middle East Monitor/ The Arab News/ Al Awsaat