Government Plan Aims to Bring More Embassies to Jerusalem

The government unanimously approved a proposal Sunday to encourage more countries to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move their embassies to the city.

The proposal was submitted by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin. It includes budget allocations from both ministries for incentive packages intended to support countries that relocate embassies to Jerusalem.

The incentives include possible participation in funding the establishment or relocation of embassies, as well as housing and planning assistance. The proposal also calls for encouraging foreign meetings and delegations to take place in Jerusalem and for expanding cooperation with countries that recognize the city as Israel’s capital.

The decision follows diplomatic efforts led by Sa’ar to promote the transfer and opening of foreign embassies in Jerusalem.

The United States moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem during US President Donald Trump’s first term, after recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Israel approved a proposal in March to allocate land for the construction of a permanent US Embassy in the city.

The Trump administration has continued to support efforts to expand foreign diplomatic representation in Jerusalem. At an event last Wednesday, US Deputy Ambassador to Israel David Brownstein urged foreign diplomats to advocate for moving their embassies to the capital.

“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 have relocated their embassies to Jerusalem include Paraguay and Fiji. Ecuador opened a representative office in Jerusalem in December.

Israeli officials have long argued that foreign embassies should be located in Jerusalem because it is the seat of Israel’s government, including the Knesset, the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister’s Office and most ministries.

The new plan is intended to create a more formal government framework for advancing embassy relocations, combining diplomatic outreach with financial and logistical assistance for countries prepared to make the move.