DRC Announces Plan to Move Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem
Quick Look
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo has reiterated its decision to relocate its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, following a visit by President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi to Israel.
- The move aligns with a growing trend among nations recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital, despite international opposition.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The DRC initially announced plans in 2020 to appoint an ambassador to Israel after two decades and establish an economic section in Jerusalem while keeping the embassy in Tel Aviv. Relations have since expanded, including a visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Kinshasa in November.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reiterated its decision to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, becoming the latest country to announce such plans.
Following a visit to Israel by President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi, both countries said in a statement on Thursday that they would take steps towards “the relocation of the embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem”, AFP news agency reported.
The plan dates back to September 2023, when Tshisekedi met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
In 2020, the DRC president announced plans to appoint an ambassador to Israel after two decades and establish an economic section of the embassy in Jerusalem while the embassy remained in Tel Aviv.
The relationship has since expanded. Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited the DRC capital, Kinshasa, in November. Tshisekedi has spoken warmly about Israel for years, saying his support is driven by his Christian faith. He has also been eager for support from the United States, which has increasingly pressured Rwanda over armed rebel advances in the DRC.
Why does the embassy move matter?
The announcement comes weeks after Colombia’s new hard-right president, Abelardo de la Espriella, also announced that he would move his country’s embassy to Jerusalem, a sharp shift from his leftist predecessor who criticised Israel over its genocidal war on Gaza.
The United States moved its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018 during President Donald Trump’s first term. Fiji, Guatemala, Honduras, Papua New Guinea and Paraguay have followed.
Kosovo and Somaliland, which are not UN member states, also maintain missions they consider embassies in the city.
Most countries that have diplomatic relations with Israel keep their embassies in the Tel Aviv area, maintaining that Jerusalem’s final status should be determined through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Israel considers the entire city its capital and has encouraged foreign governments to establish embassies there. Palestinians want occupied East Jerusalem to serve as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
The UN Security Council has rejected measures seeking to alter the status of Jerusalem and has called on countries not to establish diplomatic missions there.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
More countries may announce plans to move their embassies to Jerusalem following the DRC's decision.
Likely · Within months
The UN Security Council may issue a new resolution or statement condemning the DRC's embassy move.
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- When will the embassy relocation be completed?
- What specific steps will be taken toward the move?
- How will Palestinians and other Arab nations respond to this decision?
- Will the DRC face any consequences from the UN or African Union for this move?
