Israel–Mexico relations

Israel-Mexico relations

Israel
Mexico

Israeli–Mexican relations are the diplomatic relations between Israel and Mexico. Both nations are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.

History

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meeting with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto in Jerusalem; 2016.
Ceremony of the transfer of two Israeli Navy Sa'ar 4.5-class missile boats to the Mexican Navy in 2004
A plaque dedicating a bridge to Mexico at the Be'er Sheva North Railway Station

During the Partition of Palestine in November 1947, Mexico was one of ten countries to abstain from voting on the partition.[1] Mexico recognized Israel in January 1950 and both nations established diplomatic relations on 1 July 1952. Since then, both nations have opened embassies in each other's countries, respectively, with Mexico opening its embassy in Tel Aviv in 1959.[2][3]

Today, relations between both nations mainly are based on international cooperation at the United Nations and mutual respect. Over the years, Mexico and Israel have increased military cooperation. In 2008, Mexico purchased $210 million USD of Israeli military equipment.[4] There are also several cultural and touristic interchanges between both nations. In 2013, Mexican citizens were one of the biggest visitors to Israel for tourism and religious purposes.[5] In 2012, both nations celebrated their 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.[6] In October 2013, the Mexican Congress installed a section in their building dedicated to 'Mexico-Israel Friendship'.[7]

On 13 September 2017, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid an official three day visit to Mexico and met with President Enrique Peña Nieto and members of the Jewish-Mexican community. Netanyahu became the first Israeli Prime Minister to visit Mexico and Latin America.[8] Relations between both nations had been slightly tense since Prime Minister Netanyahu tweeted in January 2017 that he backed President Donald Trump’s plan to build a border wall between Mexico and the United States.[9] A few days before Netanyahu's visit, the Israeli Aid Agency (Mashav) sent humanitarian supplies to the earthquake stricken region of Oaxaca and Chiapas after an 8.1 earthquake hit the area on 7 September 2017.[10] During Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit, both nations signed agreements on aviation, in the hopes of establishing direct flights between both nations; international development, specifically cooperation in international development that will focus on relevant development issues including water, agriculture, initiatives and innovation; and a space agreement to create the legal infrastructure for cooperation in the uses of outer space for peaceful purposes.[11]

State visits

Presidential and Prime Ministerial visits from Israel to Mexico[12]

Presidential visits from Mexico to Israel[13][14][15]

Bilateral agreements

Both nations have signed several bilateral agreements such as an Agreement on Cultural Cooperation (1959); Agreement on Technical Cooperation (1966); Agreement on Customs Cooperation (1996); Memorandum of Understanding for the Establishment of a Mechanism of Consultation in Matters of Mutual Interest (1999); Agreement on Tourism (2011) and an Agreement on Cooperation and Administration of Water Technology (2013).[16]

Trade

On 6 March 2000, both nations signed a free trade agreement.[17] In 2017, two-way trade between both nations amounted to $942.5 million USD.[18][19] Israel's main exports to Mexico include: chemical based products, electronics and medicine. Mexico's main exports to Israel include: crude oil, vehicles, refrigeration containers, and fruits. [20] Israel is Mexico's 42nd biggest trading partner globally and biggest trading partner in the Middle East. Mexican multinational companies such as Altos Hornos de México and Cemex operate in Israel.[16]

Resident diplomatic missions

See also

References

  1. ↑ "UN General Assembly Resolution 181". GxMSDev. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  2. ↑ "Israel's Diplomatic Missions Abroad: Status of relations". GxMSDev. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  3. ↑ 60º aniversario del establecimiento de relaciones diplomaticas entre Mexico e Israel (Spanish)
  4. ↑ "El Ejército, en la mira... de las Pymes". Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "Christian tourism to Israel 2013". GxMSDev. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  6. ↑ 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic relations between Mexico and Israel
  7. ↑ "Grupo de Amistad México Israel es instalado en la Cámara de Diputados". Enlace Judío México – El sitio de expresión judía. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  8. ↑ In Mexico, Netanyahu seeks a ‘pardon’ — for not visiting sooner
  9. ↑ Netanyahu: Ties with Mexico ‘much stronger than passing spat’
  10. ↑ Israel Aids Quake-Stricken Mexico, Ahead of Netanyahu’s Historic Visit
  11. ↑ PM Netanyahu meets with Mexican President Nieto
  12. ↑ Bilateral relations between Mexico and Israel (in Spanish)
  13. ↑ President Luis Echeverría visits Israel (in Spanish)
  14. ↑ "Client Validation". Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  15. ↑ Peña Nieto llega a Israel para homenaje de estado a Shimon Peres (in Spanish)
  16. 1 2 México e Israel: apuntes para una relación fortalecida (in Spanish)
  17. ↑ "Israel and Mexico Sign Free Trade Agreement-6-Mar-2000". GxMSDev. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  18. ↑ Mexican Ministry of the Economy: Israel (in Spanish)
  19. ↑ "Israel and Mexico mark 60 years of diplomatic relations". GxMSDev. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  20. ↑ ProMexico: Síntesis de la Relación Comercial México–Israel (Spanish)
  21. ↑ "Embajada de Israel en México". Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  22. ↑ "Bienvenidos a la portada". Retrieved 17 April 2016.
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