Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar was set to depart for Moldova on Monday night ahead of the opening on Tuesday of the Jewish state’s embassy in Chisinau, his office announced.
Moldova already has an embassy in Israel, and while announcing Jerusalem’s decision to reciprocate in Chisinau, Sa’ar explained in December that “there are countries that are interested in strengthening their ties with Israel and do not yet have an Israeli embassy.”
“We will adjust the Israeli diplomatic structure of our missions while giving weight, among other things, to the approach and actions of the various countries toward Israel in the political arena,” Sa’ar stated.
Last month, the Israeli government appointed Yoram Elron as its envoy to Moldova. Elron previously served as ambassador to Bulgaria (2019-23) and to Cameroon (2000-03) and as consul general in Montreal.
Sa’ar on Tuesday will meet with Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Prime Minister Dorin Recean and his Moldovan counterpart, Mihai Popsoi. He is also scheduled to meet with the local Jewish community and will lay a wreath in memory of Holocaust victims.
“Moldova is a true friend of Israel, and the time has come to upgrade relations between our countries. Moldova’s government is supportive of Israel and has demonstrated so by standing by Israel in its time of need,” said Sa’ar ahead of his departure.
The Jewish state “will invest its resources in advancing bilateral relations with countries around the world based on priorities that also account for their position regarding Israel,” concluded Sa’ar’s official remarks.
The decision to open a diplomatic mission in Chisinau was announced at the same time as Jerusalem ordered the Israeli embassy in Dublin shuttered amid Ireland’s hostile stance toward the Jewish state.
Dublin has for years criticized Israel and its policies in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, but the rhetoric escalated since Jerusalem responded to the Hamas onslaught on Oct. 7, 2023, that triggered a multi-front war.
The embassy opening ceremony in Moldova is set to take place on Tuesday afternoon and will be broadcast on the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Facebook page.
