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Israel–Uruguay relations

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Israel-Uruguay relations
Map indicating locations of Israel and Uruguay

Israel
Uruguay
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Israel, MontevideoEmbassy of Uruguay, Tel Aviv
Envoy
Ambassador Michal HershkovitzAmbassador Manuel Etchevarren

Israel–Uruguay relations are the bilateral ties between the State of Israel and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay. Uruguay was the first country in South America—and the fourth worldwide—to recognize the State of Israel.[1][2]

History

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Yitzhak Navon heading an Israeli delegation to Uruguay, October 1948
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin with Uruguayan ambassador to Israel, November 2017

On 29 November 1947, Uruguay voted in favor for the Partition of Palestine which led to the creation of the State of Israel. On May 19, 1948, Uruguay recognized Israel, and the two countries established diplomatic relations.[3] The Israeli embassy in Montevideo was the fourth Israeli embassy to be established worldwide.[4]

In 1948, future Israeli President Yitzhak Navon headed a diplomatic delegation to Uruguay. In May 1986, Uruguayan President Julio Maria Sanguinetti paid an official visit to Israel, becoming the first Uruguayan head of state to do so.[5] During his visit to Israel, both nations signed agreements in the fields of social security, investments and medical and veterinary care.[6] In August 2008, Uruguayan President Tabaré Vázquez paid an official visit to Israel.[7] During his visit to the country, both nations signed an agreement to promote industrial research and development.[7] In 2010, Israel signed a Free Trade Agreement with Mercosur (which includes Uruguay).[8]

In 2016, the Israeli embassy in Montevideo transferred supplies to aid flood victims in Uruguay, where more than 13,000 people were displaced.[9]

Uruguay maintained an embassy in Jerusalem from 1954 to 1980.[10]

On 29 September 2020, Uruguay fired one of its top diplomats after UN Watch exposed the country’s vote for a UN resolution that singled out Israel alone in the world for supposedly violating women’s rights. Uruguay’s Foreign Minister Francisco Bustillo declared that his country’s UN vote against Israel was a “circumstantial error,” and removed the foreign ministry’s director-general of political affairs, Ambassador Pablo Sader, and that Uruguay’s “foreign policy will keep its historical stance to defend the rights of Israel.”[11]

In August 2023 it was announced that Uruguay would open a diplomatic office in Jerusalem aimed at boosting cooperation "in the field of innovation".[12][13] The announcement prompted the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, as well as the Embassy of Palestine in Uruguay, to request that the Uruguayan government reconsider its decision.[14] The office was inaugurated in December 2024 and is overseen by the National Agency for Research and Innovation of Uruguay, which signed an agreement with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.[15]

In May 2025, Uruguay summoned the Israeli ambassador to Uruguay after the Israeli Defense Forces fired warning shots upon towards diplomats during a diplomatic visit in Jenin.[16]

Resident diplomatic missions

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Uruguay's Dwindling Jewish Community Falls Victim to Its Zionist Spirit". Haaretz. 2019-05-16.
  2. ^ "Camara de Senadores - Distribuido No 312/2015". legislativo.parlamento.gub.uy. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  3. ^ "Israel's Diplomatic Missions Abroad: Status of relations". mfa.gov.il. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  4. ^ "Israel y Uruguay celebraron 75 años de relaciones diplomáticas". EL PAIS (in Spanish). 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  5. ^ "Joint Statement Israel-Uruguay - 4 May 1986". mfa.gov.il. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  6. ^ "Jerusalem Post: Social Security deal signed with Uruguay". ProQuest 319207135. Archived from the original on 2018-01-01. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  7. ^ a b "President of Uruguay visits Israel at the head of a large delegation". mfa.gov.il. August 25, 2008. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  8. ^ TLC Mercosur-Israel (in Spanish)
  9. ^ Klein Leichman, Abigail (January 17, 2016). "Israel sends donations to flood victims in Paraguay and Uruguay". ISRAEL21c. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  10. ^ "Our Building - A protected Jerusalem Landmark". jpca.org. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  11. ^ "Success: Top Uruguay Diplomat Fired For Anti-Israel Vote, After UN Watch Protest". UN Watch. 5 October 2020.
  12. ^ ToI Staff. "Uruguay to open diplomatic office in Jerusalem, foreign minister announces". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  13. ^ "Uruguay abrirá una oficina diplomática en Jerusalén". Portal Medios Públicos (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  14. ^ "Palestina advierte a Uruguay tras dichos del canciller israelí sobre oficina en Jerusalén". Montevideo Portal (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-05-19.
  15. ^ "¿Quiénes son los asesores de la oficina de la ANII en Jerusalén, cuál es su propósito y qué aporte económico hizo Uruguay?". la diaria (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2025-04-15. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
  16. ^ "Canada, Uruguay summon their Israel ambassadors over West Bank IDF warning shots". The Times of Israel. 21 May 2025.
  17. ^ Embassy of Israel in Montevideo
  18. ^ "Uruguayan Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Israel (in Spanish)". Archived from the original on 2018-09-03. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
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