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In upgrade of ties, Israel to open NATO office for first time

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In a significant upgrade of ties, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation has recognised an official Israeli representative to the body and will give Israel a permanent office at NATO’s headquarters in Brussels.

Israel is not a member of NATO but enjoys military and security cooperation with the bloc. It is part of the Mediterranean Dialogue, a NATO outreach programme involving seven allied countries in the Mediterranean region. However, the new status brings relations between Israel and NATO significantly closer.

In an announcement Israel’s Foreign Ministry said: “NATO informed Israel this evening that Israel will be able to open an office at the organisation’s headquarters in Brussels and complete the process of accepting the credentials of its representative to NATO.” It added that: “The announcement comes after lengthy Israeli diplomatic efforts by the Foreign Ministry, the Defence Ministry and the National Security Agency. Israel wishes to thank its allies in the organisation for their support and efforts on the issue.”

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who currently serves as Foreign Minister, also expressed his enthusiasm over the development, saying: “I welcome NATO’s announcement. This is an important step in helping Israel’s security. It is an additional testimony to Israel’s position and the desire of many factors to cooperate with us in the field of security.”

Israel’s Ambassador to the European Union David Walzer also currently serves as representative to NATO, although until now this has not been officially recognised by the organisation. Israel now becomes one of around 40 partner nations for NATO, including the likes of Australia, India, Japan and Russia. The 28 NATO members, including the UK, are bound by the treaty to militarily defend one other.