List of Countries in Europe that Recognize Israel

Israel's establishment on May 14, 1948, marked a pivotal moment in global diplomacy, sparking immediate debates over sovereignty and legitimacy. The United States granted de facto recognition just 11 minutes after the declaration, followed swiftly by others, including European nations like Iceland and Romania. This rapid acknowledgment reflected post-World War II geopolitical shifts, with Europe's Holocaust guilt and Cold War alignments influencing early supporters. By the late 1960s, Israel had forged ties with nearly all Western European states, North America, and parts of Africa, solidifying its position despite Arab League opposition and oil embargoes post-1967.

As of October 2025, 164 UN member states recognize Israel, representing about 85% of the international community. In Europe, recognition is near-universal, with only a handful of exceptions driven by historical, ideological, or solidarity-based stances toward Palestine. The continent's 44 sovereign states—spanning EU members, microstates, and others—overwhelmingly maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, facilitated by trade agreements, cultural exchanges, and shared security interests. The EU's association agreement with Israel since 2000 underscores this, covering economic ties worth billions annually in goods and services.

Early recognitions came from nations like Czechoslovakia (1948), a Soviet ally, and Iceland, which voted for the 1947 UN Partition Plan. Western Europe followed suit amid decolonization and the Iron Curtain's rise. France, a key arms supplier during the 1956 Suez Crisis, recognized Israel in 1949, though relations cooled under de Gaulle in the 1960s. The UK's 1948 de facto nod evolved into full ties, despite Mandate-era tensions. By 1949's UN admission, 37 nations, including many Europeans, backed Israel's membership.

Post-Cold War, Eastern Europe accelerated recognitions. Hungary, Poland, and Romania reestablished or formalized links after 1989, driven by economic incentives and distancing from Soviet anti-Zionism. The Balkans, emerging from Yugoslavia's dissolution, joined in the 1990s—Croatia in 1992, Slovenia in 1993—aligning with Western integration. Microstates like San Marino (1949) and Monaco (1960s) offered quiet support, while Vatican City's 1993 fundamentals agreement normalized Holy See-Israel relations, impacting Catholic-majority states.

Challenges persist. The 1973 Yom Kippur War prompted some temporary strains, but none led to derecognition. Recent Gaza conflicts have tested bonds, with protests in Ireland and Spain highlighting pro-Palestinian sentiments. Yet, even as Norway, Ireland, and Spain recognized Palestine in 2024, they retained Israel ties—Norway's 1949 recognition stands firm. In 2025, amid heightened tensions, Western allies like the UK, France, and Germany reaffirmed commitments through arms support and UN vetoes against anti-Israel resolutions.

Non-recognizers remain outliers: Malta (no formal ties since 1973, though de facto economic links exist), Iceland (strained post-2024 Gaza stance but not withdrawn), and Kosovo (pro-Palestinian alignment). These cases stem from leftist governments or ethnic ties to Muslim-majority Bosnia. Conversely, Cyprus's 1960s recognition bolstered by 2020s energy pacts exemplifies warming trends.

Recognition fosters multifaceted ties. Germany's Holocaust reparations exceed €80 billion since 1952, funding Israeli infrastructure. Italy's 1949 accord supports tech collaborations, while the Netherlands leads in water management aid. Eastern partners like Bulgaria provide military training, echoing WWII rescues of Jews. These bonds enhance Israel's security and economy, with Europe absorbing 30% of its exports in 2024.

The table below lists Europe's 41 recognizing states, sorted alphabetically, with recognition dates where pivotal. It highlights a continent largely unified in affirming Israel's sovereignty, despite vocal minorities advocating otherwise.

This near-consensus underscores Europe's stake in Middle East stability. As hybrid threats rise, joint exercises like those with NATO allies bolster defenses. Economically, Israel's innovation hub status draws €5 billion in annual EU investments, from agritech to cybersecurity. Culturally, programs like Erasmus+ exchanges foster youth dialogues, mitigating biases.

Yet, recognition alone doesn't resolve conflicts. Europe's push for a two-state solution—echoed in 2025 recognitions of Palestine by Ireland and others—pressures Israel toward concessions. France's 2025 pledge ties aid to settlement freezes, signaling conditional support. Germany's staunch backing, rooted in atonement, contrasts Ireland's BDS endorsements, revealing intra-EU divides.

Looking ahead, climate pacts like the EU-Israel Green Deal (2023) promise resilience against shared droughts. As AI and quantum tech converge, collaborations could redefine alliances. For Israel, Europe's embrace remains a diplomatic anchor amid isolation fears. In a polarized world, this list affirms a core truth: sovereignty, once granted, endures through treaties, trade, and time