DR Congo to Move Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has announced plans to relocate its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, joining a small group of countries that have taken the politically significant step of establishing diplomatic missions in the disputed city.

The announcement followed a visit to Israel by Congolese President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, who met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the two countries said they would begin steps toward “the relocation of the embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.” No timeline was provided for the move.

The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Tshisekedi Strengthens Ties With Israel

Tshisekedi has expressed support for Israel for several years, linking his position partly to his Christian faith.

The Congolese president has also sought stronger backing from the United States as Kinshasa faces continuing security challenges in eastern DR Congo, where armed rebel groups have made territorial gains.

Washington has increased pressure on Rwanda over the conflict, particularly amid accusations surrounding Kigali’s alleged support for armed groups operating in eastern DR Congo.

Growing Group of Embassies in Jerusalem

DR Congo’s announcement comes weeks after Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, announced plans to move his country’s embassy to Jerusalem, marking a major change from his predecessor’s more critical position toward Israel.

Most countries that recognise Israel continue to maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv. They have traditionally argued that the final status of Jerusalem should be determined through a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The United States broke with that longstanding diplomatic position in 2018 when then-President Donald Trump moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Since then, several US-aligned countries have followed, including Fiji, Guatemala, Honduras, Papua New Guinea and Paraguay.

Kosovo and Somaliland, neither of which is a United Nations member state, have also established diplomatic missions in Jerusalem.

Argentine President Javier Milei, another strong supporter of Israel, has pledged to move Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem, although the relocation has yet to take place.

Jerusalem Remains a Contested City

The status of Jerusalem remains one of the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel captured East Jerusalem from Jordan during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed the territory, declaring Jerusalem its eternal and undivided capital. Palestinians, however, claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state.

The international community has generally not recognised Israel’s sovereignty over all of Jerusalem, and many countries have maintained their embassies outside the city pending a final agreement on its status.

DR Congo’s planned embassy relocation therefore carries significance beyond its bilateral relationship with Israel, potentially signalling a further shift in diplomatic positions over Jerusalem.