World News
DR Congo reaffirms plan to relocate embassy in Israel to Jerusalem
President Felix Tshisekedi renews a 2023 commitment following a visit to Israel, joining a small group of nations moving missions to the contested city.
The short version
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo confirmed plans to move its diplomatic mission in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem following President Felix Tshisekedi's visit to Israel.
- The announcement revives a diplomatic commitment first made in September 2023 during talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- The decision aligns the DRC with a small minority of countries that recognize Jerusalem as Israel's diplomatic seat, contrary to the broader international consensus and UN Security Council resolutions.
Key facts
- The DRC and Israel issued a joint statement confirming steps toward moving the Congolese embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem following President Tshisekedi's visit.[Al Jazeera]
- Tshisekedi originally agreed to the embassy relocation during a September 2023 meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the UN General Assembly.[Al Jazeera]
- The United States moved its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018, with countries including Fiji, Guatemala, Honduras, Papua New Guinea, and Paraguay taking similar steps.[Al Jazeera]
- The United Nations Security Council opposes actions altering Jerusalem's status and urges member states to refrain from setting up diplomatic missions in the city pending negotiated settlements.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- Neither the DRC nor Israel provided a specific timeline or operational details for when the embassy move will be completed.[Al Jazeera]