משרד החוץ

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel (Hebrew: משרד החוץ, Misrad HaHutz; Arabic: وزارة الخارجية الإسرائيلية) is a key governmental body responsible for implementing Israel's foreign policy and fostering international relations in diplomacy, trade, culture and science. Established in 1948, the ministry plays a central role in Israel's global engagements, maintaining diplomatic ties with 165 United Nations member states as of 2020. It operates 77 embassies, 19 consulates-general and five special missions, including representations at the United Nations and the European Union.

History and Structure

The ministry was founded shortly after Israel's independence in 1948, with Moshe Sharett as its first foreign minister. Initially headquartered in Tel Aviv, it later moved to Jerusalem, where its current building in the Kiryat Ben-Gurion government complex stands. The ministry's structure includes divisions for political affairs, economic cooperation, cultural relations and consular services. It has been instrumental in negotiating peace treaties, such as those with Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994) and in advancing normalization agreements with Arab states under the Abraham Accords.

Role in Higher Education and Academic Accreditation

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plays a significant role in promoting Israel's higher education system globally and facilitating academic cooperation. Key initiatives include:

• International Academic Partnerships: The ministry supports collaborations between Israeli universities and foreign institutions, particularly in science, technology and innovation. Israel's participation in the European Union’s Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development since 1994 has strengthened its integration into global academic networks.
• Scholarships and Exchange Programs: Through its diplomatic missions, the ministry administers scholarship programs for international students, particularly from developing countries, to study in Israel. These programs often focus on agriculture, medicine and engineering.
• Recognition of Foreign Credentials: The ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, assists in the authentication of academic documents for Israelis studying abroad and foreign students seeking to enroll in Israeli institutions. This includes verifying diplomas and transcripts through apostille certification under the Hague Convention.
• Science Diplomacy: Israel’s membership in organizations like CERN and UNESCO (until its 2019 withdrawal) has been facilitated by the ministry, enhancing its scientific and educational outreach.

Consular Services and Document Legalization

The ministry provides consular services that are critical for students and academics, including:

• Authentication of public documents for use abroad, including degrees and academic records, through the apostille process.
• Assistance to Israeli students overseas, including passport issuance, notarization and legal certifications.
• Support for foreign researchers and students applying for visas to study in Israel.

Global Engagement and Education Diplomacy

Israel’s foreign policy emphasizes education as a tool for soft power. The ministry has spearheaded initiatives such as:

• MASHAV: The Agency for International Development Cooperation, which offers training programs in fields like water management, public health and education to professionals from developing nations.
• Cultural and Academic Exchanges: Promoting Hebrew language studies and Israeli scholarship through cultural attachés in embassies worldwide.
• Advocacy in International Forums: Representing Israel’s academic interests in organizations like the OECD, where Israel ranks highly for tertiary education attainment.

Organization Name

משרד החוץ

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel

Acronym

MFA

Year of Establishment

1948

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Foreign Ministry Building, Givat Ram
Jerusalem
Jerusalem Israel

Phone

1299

Fax

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

Not available

X (Twitter)

Not available

LinkedIn

Not available

YouTube

Not available

Instagram

Not available

Wikipedia Article

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel's Wikipedia article

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