Democratic Republic of the Congo to Move Embassy to Jerusalem

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has confirmed its decision to relocate its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This announcement follows a visit to Israel by President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi, during which both countries issued a statement indicating steps would be taken towards the embassy's relocation. This 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, Tshisekedi had announced intentions to appoint an ambassador to Israel after a two-decade hiatus and to establish an economic section of the embassy in Jerusalem while keeping the embassy in Tel Aviv. The DRC's relationship with Israel has grown, highlighted by Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Kinshasa in November. Tshisekedi has expressed support for Israel, citing his Christian faith, and has sought assistance from the United States amid pressures on Rwanda regarding armed rebel activities in the DRC. This announcement follows Colombia's recent decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem under President Abelardo de la Espriella, marking a shift from the previous administration's stance. The United States moved its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018, with several other countries, including Fiji, Guatemala, Honduras, Papua New Guinea, and Paraguay, following suit. Kosovo and Somaliland, which are not UN member states, also maintain missions in Jerusalem. Most countries with diplomatic relations with Israel keep their embassies in the Tel Aviv area, as the final status of Jerusalem is to be determined through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. Israel claims the entire city as its capital and encourages foreign governments to establish embassies there, while Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. The UN Security Council has rejected attempts to change Jerusalem's status and has urged countries not to establish diplomatic missions there.