The government unanimously approved a proposal to encourage countries around the world to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to display the recognition by moving foreign embassies to Jerusalem, it confirmed on Sunday.
The proposal, put forth by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, includes allocating budgets from both ministries to incentive packages for relocating embassies, encouraging meetings and delegations in Jerusalem, and fostering cooperation in additional fields.
Incentives include participation in funding the establishment or relocation of embassies, as well as housing and planning solutions.
The proposal follows diplomatic efforts led by Sa’ar to transfer and open embassies in Jerusalem.
US support for embassy relocation
The Trump administration has been extremely supportive of this push, with the move of the US embassy set in motion during US President Donald Trump’s first term and a proposal to allocate land for the construction of a permanent US Embassy approved by Israel in March.
During an event last Wednesday, America's Deputy Ambassador to Israel, David Brownstein, urged foreign diplomats to advocate for relocating embassies to Jerusalem and emphasized the importance of the city to the US diplomatic presence.
“We are in the process of moving all assets and personnel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This is the heart of public diplomacy,” Brownstein said.
“Give a push to moving the embassies to Jerusalem,” he added.
Countries that relocated their embassies include Paraguay and Fiji.
Ecuador opened a representative office in Jerusalem in December.
Anna Barsky contributed to this report.