All news

Russia’s embassy in Israel might be moved only after decision on Jerusalem - diplomat

Moscow recognizes West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and East Jerusalem as the capital of the would-be Palestinian state, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said

MOSCOW, June 30. /TASS/. Russia’s embassy to Israel might be shifted from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem only after Israel and Palestine have settled all issues, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said in an interview with the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (Kan).

"You know our official stance which was reaffirmed again in April 2017. We recognize West Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel and East Jerusalem as the capital city of the would-be Palestinian state, taking into consideration that in the future both sides should be guided by the principle that they have to agree on all the issues, including the final status," he said.

"Only after that, we will make a decision on our embassy move," Bogdanov said.

Jerusalem is a major thorn in the side of Palestine’s relations with Israel that occupied the city’s eastern part in the 1967 war. They insist Jerusalem is "the eternal, indivisible capital" of Israel. The Palestinians, in their turn, are striving to have the city’s eastern part as their capital.