The Moldovan government headed by Pavel Filip approved the transfer of the country’s embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. It is about fulfilling the promise of Moldovan President Igor Dodon, first voiced at a meeting with the leaders of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) headed by Mikhail Mirilashvili. This meeting held in Jerusalem in December last year, and there Dodon promised “with all seriousness” to consider the issue of moving the country’s embassy. Prime Minister Philip expressed confidence that the decision will be implemented regardless of the results of early elections, which will soon be held in Moldova.
EAJC President Mikhail Mirilashvili expressed his gratitude to the country’s leadership: “This is a historic decision that will bring the relations of the two countries to a new level. Moldova forever will be remembered by Israelis and Jews around the world as one of the first country which transfer the embassy to Jerusalem. This step is logical continuation of the policy of the Moldovan authorities to strengthen ties with the Jewish community and combat anti-Semitism. We congratulate the peoples of the two countries on this significant event and are pleased to contribute to the development x relations between Moldova and Israel. ”
EAJC Director General Haim Ben Yaakov said: “The status of Jerusalem is one of the key issues of the Middle East. The transfer of embassies to Jerusalem is a confirmation of the understanding that Jerusalem has always been the center of the spiritual life of our people, and it is impossible to imagine a peaceful settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict without Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel.”
The United States recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December 2017 and in May 2018 moved the embassy from Tel Aviv there. Later, Guatemala also moved its embassy to Jerusalem. On September 13, 2018, the Czech authorities announced the transfer of the embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. In December 2018, Australia recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Russia recognizes Western Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
