Politics in Israel - Foreign Relations
In addition to
seeking an end to hostilities with Arab forces, against which it has
fought five wars since 1948, Israel has given high priority to gaining
wide acceptance as a sovereign state with an important international
role. Before 1967, it had established diplomatic relations with a
majority of the world's nations, except for the Arab states and most
other Muslim countries. While the Soviet Union and the communist states
of Eastern Europe (except Romania) broke diplomatic relations with
Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War, those relations were restored by 1991.
Diplomatic relations with over 150 countries
Ever since the establishment of Israel in 1948, the state faced problems
in its foreign policy. In 1948, Israel was in diplomatic isolation
resulting from being boycotted by its Middle Eastern neighbours (see
Arab League boycott). As an alternative, the Israeli government began
developing ties with distant countries. The Israeli government sought to
establish good relations especially with the U.S. government, and the
newly independent states in Africa and Asia. On January 9, 1950, the
Israeli government extended recognition to the People's Republic of
China, but diplomatic relations were not established until 1992. On May
15, 1952, diplomatic relations were established with the government of
Japan at a Legation level. However, the Japanese government refrained
from appointing a Minister Plenipotentiary to Israel until 1955.
Relations between the two states were distant at first, but after 1958,
as demand in Japan for Israeli commodities was rising, relations between
the governments were warming up. On November 22, 1973, the Japanese
government stated it was reconsidering its relations with the Israeli
government due to Israel's retention of lands occupied in 1967, but no
break occurred.
Today, Israel has diplomatic relations with some 153 states. Following
the Madrid Conference of 1991, and as a direct result of the peace
process, Israel established or renewed diplomatic relations with 62
countries.
39 countries continue to not recognize Israel, mostly majority Muslim
nations in the Middle East and Africa.
Ties with Arab states
Most important are Israel's ties with Arab states. In addition to full
diplomatic relations with Egypt, Jordan and Mauritania, Israel now has
ties of one kind or another with Morocco, Tunisia, Oman, Qatar, and
Bahrain. Those persons who have EVER been inside of Israel, other than
Diplomats, are forbidden entry to the Sultanate of Oman, as of January
20th, 2004.
On October 1, 1994, the Gulf States publicly announced their support for
a review of the Arab boycott, in effect abolishing the secondary and
tertiary boycotts against Israel. Israel has diplomatic relations with 9
non-Arab Muslim states and with 32 of the 43 Sub-Saharan African states
that are not members of the Arab League. Israel established relations
with the People's Republic of China and India in 1992.
International disputes
The West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with the current
status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement. The
permanent status is to be determined through further negotiation. The
Golan Heights is Israeli-annexed.
Illicit drugs
Increasingly concerned about cocaine and heroin abuse; drugs arrive in
the country from Lebanon and increasingly Jordan.
International Organizations
The first international organization which the Israeli government joined
was the International Wheat Council, established as part of Point Four
Program in early 1949. On May 11, 1949, the State of Israel joined the
United Nations.
From:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Israel
Back to Politics in Israel
|
|
