The Netherlands and Israel: a close friendship
This year, we celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Israel. Since the establishment of relations in December 1949, the Netherlands and Israel have enjoyed close friendship and cooperation in various contexts and fields. Amongst other things, the countries have extensive economic cooperation, including in the fields of Innovation, Hydrogen, Energy, Digital Medicine, and Water.
The Embassy in the Netherlands holds many Yad Vashem ceremonies every year, commemorating the Righteous Among the Nations who helped save Jews during the Holocaust. In this context, it is important to remember that the majority of the Jewish community in the Netherlands was tragically decimated during the Holocaust by the Nazis. Of the few who survived, many owe their lives to the bravery of the Righteous Among the Nations. In recent years, the Dutch government has acknowledged responsibility for the fate of the Jewish community during the Holocaust, marking an important step toward historical recognition and reconciliation.
A significant chapter in the relations between Israel and the Netherlands is the Netherlands' pivotal role in facilitating Jewish immigration from the Soviet Union. From 1967 to 1990, in response to Israel's request, the Dutch embassy in Moscow represented Israeli interests and issued visas to approximately 570,000 immigrants.
