Israeli diplomacy

Israeli Air Force F-16I on the tarmac during the Blue Flag air exercise at the Ovda air force base, north of the Israeli city of Eilat, on November 8, 2017. (Jack Guez/AFP)

Senior officials from around world in Israel for air force’s largest-ever confab

Representatives from 20 countries to discuss importance of air superiority, security challenges facing Israel in three-day conference

Paraguay President Horacio Cartes (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu inaugurate Paraguay's new embassy in Jerusalem, May 21, 2018 (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)

Paraguay becomes third country to open embassy in Jerusalem

By Raphael Ahren

May 21, 2018, 5:16 pm

Senior officials from around world in Israel for air force’s largest-ever confab

Representatives from 20 countries to discuss importance of air superiority, security challenges facing Israel in three-day conference

By Judah Ari Gross

May 21, 2018, 1:04 pm

Paraguay becomes third country to open embassy in Jerusalem

'We have no better friends than you,' Netanyahu tells President Cartes; Palestinians slam 'provocative and irresponsible measure'

By Raphael Ahren

Israel’s new ambassador to Turkey, Eitan Na'eh, hands his credentials to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday, December 5, 2016. (courtesy Turkish Presidency)

May 17, 2018, 7:46 pm

Despite high intensity, Israel-Turkey spat could be over within months

Never mind the mutual humiliations and unprecedented diplomatic measures; neither side is interested in escalation

By Raphael Ahren

Guatemala President Jimmy Morales speaks during the official opening ceremony of the Guatemala embassy in Jerusalem on May 16, 2018. (Marc Israel Sellem/Pool)

May 17, 2018, 6:59 am

Guatemala embassy move seen as domestic win, pleasing US

Opening of Jerusalem mission expected to bolster President Jimmy Morales, whose government is beset by economic problems, gang violence and corruption allegations

By SONIA PEREZ D. and Peter Orsi

Israeli ambassador to Belgium and Luxemborg, Simona Frankel, speaks on Belgian radio on May 15, 2018. (Screen capture: YouTube)

May 16, 2018, 4:26 pm

Luxembourg summons Israeli ambassador for talks over Gaza violence

Simona Frankel, who's also envoy to Brussels, claimed on radio that all Palestinians killed in Gaza border protests were terrorists

By Stuart Winer

Israeli Ambassador to Turkey Eitan Na'eh (L) holds his luggage at Istanbul Ataturk Airport on May 16, 2018, as he prepares to leave Turkey. (AFP Photo/DHA/Dogan News Agency)

May 16, 2018, 1:11 pm

Turkey, Israel humiliate each others’ envoys in escalating diplomatic tiff

Expelled Israeli ambassador undergoes strict security screening in Istanbul airport; in response, Israel inspects Turkish delegate's papers, dresses him down

By Michael Bachner and TOI staff

May 16, 2018, 10:37 am

Guatemala opens Jerusalem embassy, two days after US

Central American country's president hails a 'love between brothers,' Netanyahu vows his next Latin America trip will include a stop in Guatemala City

By Raphael Ahren

Protestors wave Palestinian flags in front of Israel consulate in Istanbul on May 15, 2018. (OZAN KOSE/AFP)

May 16, 2018, 8:37 am

Turkey expels Israel’s consul in Istanbul in escalating tit for tat

Yossi Levi Sfari told to leave after Turkish representative in Jerusalem sent packing amid diplomatic dispute over Gaza deaths

By Raphael Ahren and TOI staff

Protesters hold an effigy of US President Donald Trump as they shout slogans in Diyarbakir, Turkey, on May 15, 2018. (AFP / ILYAS AKENGIN)

May 15, 2018, 8:47 pm

Israel expels Turkish consul in Jerusalem after Ankara boots Israel’s ambassador

Move to oust diplomat dealing with Palestinians considered extremely rare, follows Ankara's request that Israel's envoy leave and as Erdogan and Netanyahu spar over Gaza violence

By Raphael Ahren

South African Ambassador to Israel, Sisa Ngombane. (Screen capture: YouTube)

May 14, 2018, 10:25 pm

South Africa recalls envoy to Israel over ‘violent aggression’ on Gaza border

Ambassador to leave Israel immediately and until further notice, due to 'indiscriminate and grave' attack on 'peaceful civilians'; local Jewish leaders protest 'outrageous' move

By Michael Bachner and TOI staff

The cover page on the Foreign Ministry's new Facebook page 'Israel in Iraqi dialect' (screen shot: Facebook)

May 6, 2018, 10:16 pm

Israel reaches out to Iraqis on Facebook

Foreign Ministry's new 'digital embassy' seeks to harness war-torn country's supposed affinity for Israel with page highlighting 'glorious' Jewish-Iraqi history

By Raphael Ahren

The still-unfinished office of Guatemala's new embassy in Jerusalem, May 2, 2018 (Raphael Ahren/TOI)

May 2, 2018, 1:50 pm

Guatemala starts moving its embassy to Jerusalem

Netanyahu says he is moved to see country's flag at capital's Malha Technology Park, two weeks before official inauguration

By Raphael Ahren

Czech President Milos Zeman speaking at a reception in honor of Israel's 70th birthday at Prague Castle, April 25, 2018 (Facebook)

April 26, 2018, 10:47 pm

The Americas are moving their embassies to Jerusalem. Europe? Not so fast

Israeli officials hail Czech announcement of gradual relocation, but Prague, like others on the continent, is sticking to EU consensus

By Raphael Ahren

Czech Republic President Milos Zeman, left, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel on Monday October 7. (Kobi Gideon/GPO/Flash90)

April 26, 2018, 12:23 am

Netanyahu hopes Czechs will ‘quickly’ relocate embassy to Jerusalem

PM hails announcement by Czech president of three-stage diplomatic process, though it remains unclear if and when missions would be moved from Tel Aviv

By Raphael Ahren and TOI staff

Czech President Miloš Zeman (L) meets with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely at an event in honor of Israel’s 70th Independence Day at Prague Castle on April 25, 2018. (Courtesy)

April 25, 2018, 10:17 pm

Czech president announces 3-stage plan to move embassy to Jerusalem – eventually

Announcement comes despite opposition from country's prime minister; Israeli politicians hail Milos Zeman's pledge

By Raphael Ahren