Israel, Kosovo establish diplomatic relations, via Zoom meeting

The ceremony between Israel and Kosovo was held online, due to the coronavirus pandemic

Credit: ABIR SULTAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock 

Kosovo and Israel established diplomatic relations on Monday, in an online ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the Muslim-majority country agreeing to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi hailed the new ties forged via Zoom meeting as historic and reflective of “the change in the region, in the Arab World and the Muslim world’s relationship with Israel.”

Last year the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan agreed to recognise Israel, in a series of deals brokered by former president Donald Trump that were named the Abraham Accords.

But while the Arab states said they would open diplomatic missions in Tel Aviv, Mr Ashkenazi said he had approved a formal request from Kosovo to establish its embassy in Jerusalem.

Since the Trump administration drew international condemnation for moving the United States embassy to Jerusalem in May 2018, only Guatemala has followed suit, though other nations including Malawi and Honduras have said they will also move their embassies. 

Most countries have their diplomatic missions to Israel in Tel Aviv and have avoided recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, pending resolution of its conflict with the Palestinians, who want East Jerusalem as their capital. 

Mr Trump announced that Kosovo would recognise Israel last September as a side deal to an agreement between the two former Soviet republics to work on economic ties. Since Kosovo declared independence in 2008, Serbia has not recognised its statehood.

Serbia, which already has ties with Israel, also agreed to open an embassy in Jerusalem but so far has not done so.

Kosovo Foreign Minister Meliza Haradinaj-Stublla said the tiny Balkan states shares a "historic bond" with Israel, as both "witnessed a long and challenging path to existing as a people and becoming states".

Ms Haradinaj-Stublla said she had recently spoken with new US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who she said voiced President Joe Biden’s support for Kosovo’s new relations with Israel.

The newly sworn in administration of President Biden has said it will maintain its embassy in Jerusalem.

Israeli officials said they hope Kosovo will open its mission by the end of March.