Israel's Foreign Ministry

After the poor tourist season last year caused by the pandemic, some Balkan countries are hoping to lure tourists from Israel, which has vaccinated much of its population, by recognising its so called "Green Pass" for fully vaccinated people.

More than half of all Israelis have now received both COVID-19 jabs, making the country a world beater in vaccination.

The Chinese ambassador to Israel was found dead in his home north of Tel Aviv on May 17, Israel's Foreign Ministry said.

No cause of death was given and Israeli police said it was investigating.

Du Wei, 58, was appointed envoy in February in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. He previously served as China's envoy to Ukraine.

National Security Advisor, Vice Admiral Alexandros Diakopoulos, and Ambassador Themistoklis Demiris, secretary-general of Greece's Foreign Ministry, met Thursday with Israel's Foreign Ministry Director-General Yuval Rotem in Athens as part of the "annual foreign policy dialogue" between the two countries.

Israel's Foreign Ministry director-general Yuval Rotem will visit Athens Wednesday for talks with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and other officials, the Israeli embassy announced.

Israeli police on Jan. 17 detained five Finnish citizens, including a member of parliament, for allegedly attempting to cross the fence separating Israel and the blockaded Gaza Strip, according to local media.

Four European countries and Egypt sent aircraft to help Israel battle wildfires that have forced the evacuation of some small towns, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday, as a record heatwave looked set to worsen conditions.

Israel's Foreign Ministry summoned Turkey's temporary charge d'affaires in Tel Aviv, Umut Deniz, on May 16.

A day after Israel's ambassador in Budapest called for local election billboards targeting George Soros to be removed - saying the campaign "sows hatred and fear" - Israel's Foreign Ministry weighed in, agreeing with the substance of Hungary's criticism.

Turkey's new ambassador to Israel, Kemal Ökem, submitted his credentials to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Dec. 12, marking the inauguration of a Turkish envoy to the country for the first time in six years.
 

Ambassador Mekin Mustafa Kemal Ökem has been named Turkey's new ambassador to Israel, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Nov. 16.

"He took up the position yesterday," Erdoğan told reporters before he departed for Pakistan.