Israel to Fund Relocation of Foreign Embassies to Jerusalem
The Israeli government has approved a financial assistance program for countries that decide to relocate their embassies to Jerusalem. This initiative was proposed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar and Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Meir Porush. The main goal of the decision is to encourage other states to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in practice.
Millions of shekels have been allocated to the program, which will fund a benefits package for foreign missions. Israel will help pay for the construction, renovation, or leasing of buildings for new embassies, and will also partially cover housing costs for diplomats. Local authorities also promise to assist with paperwork and urban planning issues.
Some countries have already begun relocating their diplomatic missions. Paraguay opened an embassy in Jerusalem in December 2024, and Fiji followed in September 2025. In addition, Ecuador previously opened an innovation office in the city, which received official diplomatic status. The Israeli government expects that such support will help remove financial and bureaucratic barriers for partner countries. Aside from covering the relocation costs themselves, the new program encourages hosting international meetings and receiving official delegations directly in Jerusalem.
