Bilateral political relations

Belarus-Israel relations have traditionally been characterized by a high level of mutual interest, trust, and constructive cooperation. Bilateral dialogue has developed on the basis of the principles of equality, mutual respect, and consideration of the interests of both sides.

The State of Israel is one of the priority and promising partners of the Republic of Belarus in the Middle East.

Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the State of Israel were established on May 26, 1992. In 2027, the two countries will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the State of Israel was opened in August 1992.

In 1992, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus visited Israel. In 1993, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir paid an unofficial visit to Belarus, and in 1998 Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres visited Belarus (he later served as President of Israel from 2007 to 2014).

President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko visited Israel in January 2000 as part of the “Bethlehem 2000” celebrations.

Over the years, Israel was visited by Belarusian ministers of agriculture, internal affairs, healthcare, sports and tourism, representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, the Assistant to the President of the Republic of Belarus, and the Head of the Presidential Administration. Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Mikhail Rusy visited Israel in May 2012, February 2014, and May 2018.

In 2020, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Andreichenko paid a working visit to Israel. Meetings were held with President of the State of Israel Reuven Rivlin and Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Edelstein.

Political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries are held on a regular basis, as well as expert discussions on legal and consular issues and cooperation between the two states in international organizations.

In October 2021, on the sidelines of the 6th Ministerial Meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) held in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, a meeting took place between Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei and Israeli Minister of Tourism Yoel Razvozov.

On December 27, 2021, a telephone conversation took place between the Presidents of Belarus and Israel.

On April 21, 2025, during the presentation of credentials, Ambassador Yuri Yaroshevich met with President of Israel Isaac Herzog.

Since January 2026, direct air service operated by Belavia on the Minsk–Tel Aviv route has been resumed.

On July 3, 2026, President of the State of Israel Isaac Herzog sent congratulations to President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and the Belarusian people on the occasion of Belarusian Independence Day.

In his message, the President of Israel conveyed his best wishes, noted the warm historical ties between the peoples of Belarus and Israel, welcomed the resumption of direct air links, and expressed hope for the further development of bilateral relations, as well as for peace, stability, and prosperity in both regions.

Israel has an institution of honorary consuls. In August 2020, M. Ben-Shah was appointed Honorary Consul of Belarus in Israel for the Central District of the country. On November 27, 2024, a ceremony was held to appoint E. Kariv as Honorary Consul of Belarus in Israel’s Southern District.

A Joint Belarusian-Israeli Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (JBIС) has been established. Its latest (sixth) meeting was held in May 2018 in Jerusalem.

Interregional cooperation is developing: twinning relations have been established between the cities of Brest and Ashdod (2012), Vitebsk and Rishon LeZion (2008), Grodno and Ashkelon (2011), Hlybokaye and Kiryat Bialik (2011), and the Central District of Minsk and Netanya (2016). In June 2021, a protocol of intent was signed to develop friendly relations between the city of Nof HaGalil and the city of Babruysk.

The legal framework for bilateral relations consists of intergovernmental agreements regulating cooperation in various fields, including the establishment of diplomatic relations, trade and economic cooperation, promotion and mutual protection of investments, avoidance of double taxation and prevention of tax evasion with respect to taxes on income and capital, cooperation in agriculture and food processing, air transport, education, science and culture, mutual establishment and operation of cultural centers, tourism, standardization, metrology and conformity assessment, as well as healthcare and medicine.

A landmark event and an important indication of the openness and level of trust between the two countries was the signing in September 2014 and entry into force in November 2015 of the intergovernmental agreement on the abolition of visas for holders of national passports. The agreement contributed to a significant increase in mutual visits.

Currently, work continues on preparing draft bilateral agreements in other promising areas of cooperation.