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Iceland–Israel relations

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Iceland-Israel relations
Map indicating locations of Iceland and Israel

Iceland
Israel

Iceland–Israel relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Iceland and Israel. Both nations are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Trade Organization.

History

Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol greeting Icelandic Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson in Jerusalem, 1964.

Early relations

The first official relations between modern Iceland and Israel took place on 29 November 1947 when Iceland voted in favor for the Partition of Palestine which led to the creation of the State of Israel. In May 1948 Iceland recognized the State of Israel and established diplomatic relations.[1]

In September 1962, Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion traveled to Iceland on an official visit and met with Icelandic Prime Minister Ólafur Thors.[2] In November 1964, Icelandic Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson paid a visit to Israel and met with Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol.[2] In May 1966, Icelandic President Ásgeir Ásgeirsson paid an official visit to Israel and addressed the Knesset.[3]

In September 1992, Israel and the European Free Trade Association (which includes Iceland) signed a free trade agreement.[4]

Two-state solution

Since the 1990s, Iceland has been a proponent of independence for nations and territories wishing to become independent. The Icelandic government has advocated for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has called for international recognition of the State of Palestine.[5] On 30 April 2002 the Althing (Parliament of Iceland) adopted a Parliamentary Resolution where it was demanded “that peace negotiations on the establishment of an independent State of Palestine and the security of the State of Israel within internationally recognised borders should begin”.[5] As a results of this position by the Icelandic government, Israel has expressed its frustration with Iceland.

In 2010, Iceland expressed its condemnation at the United Nations against Israel's raid of the Gaza flotilla and Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip.[6] In November 2011, the Althing approved a resolution recognizing an independent and sovereign State of Palestine within the pre-1967 Six-Day War borders becoming the first western European nation to do so.[7][8]

In September 2015, the Icelandic capital of Reykjavík voted in favor "of a general boycott of Israeli goods as long as the occupation of the Palestinian territories continues."[9] This was criticized by the Icelandic government. Immediately, the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that the "decision of Reykjavík was not in line with Iceland's foreign policy nor does it reflect on Iceland's relations with the State of Israel."[9] Within a week, Reykjavik mayor Dagur Eggertsson amended the proposal that the boycott would apply only to products from Israeli settlements.[10]

Controversies

In 1991, Ephraim Zuroff attempted to get the Icelandic government to extradite Evald Mikson, an Estonian Nazi war criminal who signed off on the death warrants of 30 Estonian Jews. The Icelandic government refused to do so. However, they pursued criminal charges against Mikson in 1993. Mikson died before the conclusion of the investigation. In 2004, the Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity found that Mikson had signed the death warrants of 30 Jews.[11][12]

During the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, held in Tel Aviv, Icelandic participants Hatari held up scarves with the Palestinian flag on them during the televote. The Icelandic Association of Composers and Lyricists (FTT), which represents artists in Iceland, told its members in a statement to not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 unless Israel is removed from the competition, on the same grounds as Russia was in the last competition, due to Israel's conduct in the Israel-Hamas war.[13] FTT also urged the Icelandic National Broadcaster (RÚV) to withdraw from the competition unless Israel is denied participation on the same grounds as Russia was due to its invasion of Ukraine.[14]

State visits

Presidential and Prime Ministerial visits from Iceland to Israel[2]

Prime Ministerial visits from Israel to Iceland[2]

Diplomatic missions

See also

References

  1. ^ Israel's Diplomatic Missions Abroad: Status of relations
  2. ^ a b c d "Zion Friends of Israel: Iceland". Archived from the original on 2013-05-17. Retrieved 2018-01-05.
  3. ^ Address by the President of the Republic of Iceland
  4. ^ EFTA: Israel
  5. ^ a b Proposal for a Parliamentary Resolution On the Recognition of the Independence and Sovereignty of Palestine
  6. ^ The Human Rights Council continues urgent debate on Israeli raid on a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza
  7. ^ Parliamentary resolution on an independent and sovereign Palestine
  8. ^ "Iceland recognises Palestinian state". The Guardian. 2011-11-30. Archived from the original on 2023-05-17.
  9. ^ a b Iceland capital retracting decision to boycott Israeli goods
  10. ^ "Reykjavík getting food delivered by Israeli drones". The Times of Israel.
  11. ^ Örn Vilhjálmsson, Vilhjálmur. "Iceland, the Jews, and Anti-Semitism, 1625-2004". Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  12. ^ Manfred, Gerstenfeld. "Iceland, Israel, and the Jews: A Largely Negative History". BESA Center. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Musicians in Iceland call for Israel to be excluded from 2024 Eurovision Song Contest". The Standard. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  14. ^ "FTT Urges RÚV to Boycott Eurovision if Israel Competes". icelandreview.com. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  15. ^ Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Israel
  16. ^ Embassy of Israel in Norway
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