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Israel has not yet technically recognized Kosovo as a state. The procedures have not been completed, there have been no meetings between officials, no diplomatic notes have been exchanged, but that does not mean that the process is not under way or can be reversed, says Israel’s new ambassador to Serbia, Jahel Vilan, trying to explain The doubts. the public on whether the Israeli recognition of Kosovo, agreed within the agreement on the economic normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina at the White House on September 4, is really a done deal.
“Since there is an idea in Serbia that this may not be final yet, in a television interview a few days ago, I wanted to clarify things by saying that we recognized Kosovo on September 4. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Israel welcomed the Washington agreement that day. This does not contradict other information that appeared later – we admit, but the techniques have not yet been done, “says Vilan, noting that he does not underestimate the importance of this issue for our country, but that awaits relations between Serbia and Israel. important and strong so that this does not disturb them.
Was Israeli recognition of Kosovo agreed with the United States before the agreement was signed at the White House?
I’m not sure, but I guess (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu wasn’t suddenly called on the phone and asked, “Please, would you recognize Kosovo?” I am almost certain that this conversation took place before and I think everyone participated in it: Israel, Serbia, Kosovo and the United States. That issue could not have come up during the Kosovo-Serbia summit in the United States without prior consent.
Why did Israel change its mind on Kosovo’s independence after 12 years of refusing to recognize it, even after Hashim Thaci offered to open an embassy in Jerusalem, which was not heard from a Muslim leader (as the states Islamic view the eastern part of the city as the future capital of Palestine)?
If we look only at the relations between Israel and Kosovo, we had no good reason not to recognize it. There are two main reasons why this was a problem. The first is a precedent regarding the Palestinian question: the recognition of such a unilateral move (secession – “Politika” note) of a non-state entity could be in favor of the Palestinians. Another reason, still important to us, is the relationship with Serbia. If you ask me what is important about what has happened now to change that, it may not be a big thing, but things have been happening little by little.
I think that there has been progress in relations between Serbia and Kosovo, although I would not say that it is no longer a problem for Serbia. At the moment, we have a very important American package for all parties, Serbia, Kosovo, Israel. Americans are very important to us. A week later, he saw the agreement between Israel with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain (whereby, with the mediation of the US, they normalized relations with Israel – “Politics” note). When you put all of this in the framework of American efforts to bring a peace agreement between us and the Gulf countries, and gradual progress between Serbia and Kosovo with American intervention, we believe that the importance of this case on the Palestinian question has weakened. If we include all of these things and the direct request of the Americans to be a party to such an agreement, I think this led Israel to make such a decision.
Do you have American guarantees that Kosovo will also be recognized by Israel? At least one Muslim country, Turkey, which sees itself as the patron of both Kosovo and the Palestinians, is against the White House deal.
I am not aware that Israel has received guarantees. Serbia and Kosovo have signed agreements with the United States, which should ensure that the agreement is implemented. We have not signed any mutual recognition agreement with Kosovo.
So is it up to the Americans to deal with the Turkish resistance?
The agreement is based on the fact that the governments of Kosovo and the United States have agreed to the mutual recognition of Kosovo and Israel. If something happens on one side, why not the other? The same happens with the transfer of embassies to Jerusalem. We understand that this is not an easy step for either Kosovo or Serbia, which are under pressure from other countries on this issue.
Many Serbs say that “Kosovo is our Jerusalem.” Even if relations between our countries remain unchanged, will this affect the way ordinary Serbs experience Israel?
As far as I know, Serbia has excellent relations with many countries that have recognized Kosovo. I do not see that Serbia conditions good relations with the countries so that they do not recognize Kosovo. The same is true of Israel. Most of our friends in the world have long recognized Palestine. Kosovo is important to you, just as Jerusalem or the West Bank are important to Israel. But we put our interests first. Friends don’t have to agree on everything. I very much understand the sentiments of the public in Serbia and can tell you that when the ministry informed me about the agreement early Friday morning (September 4), my first question was: What does Serbia get out of it?
What did they answer you?
I would not talk about it, I can say that I agree with my ministry and that my starting point is to do everything we can, with the understanding of Serbia. I was not present during the negotiations between the United States and Serbia, and I cannot speak about how Serbia coped with part of the agreement on Kosovo and Israel. From my point of view from here, I will try to “push” as much as possible to finish things, without being inconsiderate. I understood President Vučić’s statements, as well as what he told me, and we will try to work with the utmost respect for Serbia. President Vučić said some things directly to Prime Minister Netanyahu. Time will show how we will fulfill the promise made to the United States and Kosovo, and we will continue to show the utmost respect for Serbia.
Did you talk to President Vučić about the transfer of the embassy to Jerusalem? When could this be done?
We do not discuss the details. Israel thanks Mr. Aprenderé for what he did for our relations and for his decision, taken before the Washington summit, that Serbia open an economic office in Jerusalem, which is an important step not only economically but also politically for both of us. countries. The agreement speaks of two phases: the first, the economic office that should open in September, and the second, the embassy before July 1 of next year. I hope that Serbia fulfills the agreement as planned.
Earlier this year, Vučić also announced that Serbia would buy weapons from Israel and that it would not be a small delivery. Any news on that?
I don’t know anything specific at this point, but I can only welcome such cooperation between Israel and Serbia. I’m a little surprised that we no longer cooperate in the military industry. We have the latest technology that we can share with friendly countries like Serbia.
Can’t you tell us what kind of weapon was discussed?
I don’t keep any secrets, I just don’t have specific information.
Serbia recently sent more troops on a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. Should we take care of their security, since Serbia has signed that all of Hezbollah, both the military and the political wing, will be considered a terrorist organization?
We thank Serbia for sending its soldiers to keep the peace on our northern border. This is important to the effort to stabilize that country, which Hezbollah practically kidnapped. There is no logic in Lebanon’s attacks on Israel every few years, it does not suit Lebanon. Hezbollah puts it at risk for the good of the interests of Syria, against Israel, on behalf of the interests of Iran, which Hezbollah is mediating. When one of those organizations deals with terrorism, it invests huge amounts of Iranian money in acquiring weapons used against Israel; some countries squint for political reasons and don’t call it a terrorist organization as it should be.
We believe that Serbia is doing the right thing. And I am not aware that there have been attacks against soldiers of the peacekeeping mission based on the determination of their countries towards Israel and Lebanon. These are the blue helmets under the UN flag, not their countries. Serbia has been friends with Israel before, so they did not view Serbian soldiers differently from others. I hope that is not the case even now.
The way he described Hezbollah and the “captured” “terrorist state”, this is how many Serbs would describe what happened to Kosovo and the KLA.
I honestly do not think such parallels should be drawn. Everyone here knows the history of Kosovo much better than I do, so I cannot comment better on the situation there.
You mentioned Israel’s agreement with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Will it help to appease the Middle East and alleviate the hatred of ordinary Arabs towards Israel and Jews in general?
For too long, the Palestinians, due to their conflict with Israel, have held hostage the relations of other countries with our country. But that led to nothing. The fact that very distant countries did not recognize Israel did not bring us or the Palestinians closer. The new formula offered by Trump changed the focus of this problem. It is no secret that many Gulf countries would be friends with us if they did not think that Iran would be a much greater threat as an enemy than Israel.
I think Trump’s proposal will help the Palestinians get back to the negotiating table. The support they receive from the Gulf and other parts of the world is less than it used to be. They are no longer interested in rejecting any offer. Trump’s proposal may not be as good as they hoped, but I think the new peace agreement will help us and the Palestinians to get at least a little closer, at least as long as to resume negotiations.
Israel can normalize relations with the Arab states, but the Palestinian problem remains unsolved. They, with the support of other Arabs, also rejected the provision of Trump’s plan on annexation or, if you prefer to call it that, the restoration of Israel’s sovereignty in the part of the West Bank.
An agreement with the two Gulf countries will not solve everything. The problems that must be resolved between us and the Palestinians are very deep. First, there is the question of territory. If you look at the map, it is almost impossible. But we all have to ask ourselves: what are the options. Say no to everything? We need to consider the American proposal.
Is the “two state” solution (creation of Palestine together with Israel) a thing of the past or is it still possible?
I don’t think it’s in the past. Our Prime Minister stated that he believes this is the solution. And Trump’s “deal of the century” speaks of two states. Israel was formed as a Jewish and democratic state. I don’t see any other solution that allows you to remain Jewish and democratic. That is why I believe that the “two state” solution is in our interest, not just the interests of the Palestinians.
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