Israel Approves Funding Push To Bring More Embassies To Jerusalem

Israel’s government unanimously approved a proposal Sunday to financially encourage countries to move their embassies to Jerusalem, as part of a diplomatic push to strengthen recognition of the city as Israel’s capital.

The proposal was presented by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who also serves as minister responsible for Jerusalem and Jewish Tradition. It would allocate budgets from their ministries to incentive packages for countries interested in opening or relocating embassies in Jerusalem.

Recognition of Jerusalem carries a unique weight for Israel because the city is both the seat of its government and the center of Jewish national and religious history. Many countries have kept their embassies in Tel Aviv to avoid taking a position on Jerusalem’s status, while Israel views embassy relocations as practical recognition of its sovereignty in the capital.

According to the government framework, the plan is meant to “encourage countries around the world to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to put this recognition into practice by moving foreign embassies to Jerusalem.”

The incentives may include Israeli participation in funding the establishment or relocation of embassies, as well as housing and planning solutions. The proposal also includes efforts to encourage diplomatic meetings, delegations and cooperation in additional fields.

The decision follows diplomatic efforts led by Sa’ar to expand the number of foreign missions in Jerusalem. Seven countries currently have embassies in the capital: the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay and Fiji. Ecuador also opened an innovation office in Jerusalem with diplomatic status.

The United States has been the leading diplomatic force behind the embassy relocation push. The U.S. Embassy moved to Jerusalem during President Donald Trump’s first term, and Israel approved a proposal in March to allocate land for the construction of a permanent American embassy in the city.

America’s Deputy Ambassador to Israel David Brownstein recently urged foreign diplomats to support the move of additional embassies to Jerusalem.

“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.

Fiji opened its embassy in Jerusalem in 2025, becoming the seventh country with an embassy in the capital. Argentina has also announced plans to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem, though reports this year have described delays and uncertainty around the move. Costa Rica’s new president has reportedly signaled interest in upgrading her country’s Jerusalem mission to a full embassy.