Israel's recognition: That was the Jewish state's stance from February 2008 on Kosovo

This, of course, occurred after the September 4th agreement reached in Washington between Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq, enabled by the White House.

It was U.S. President Donald Trump, the one who had sat Hoti at a table in Zeren Ovale, pushing him to speak to his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyah, follows Periscope.

But what had Israel's attitude towards Kosovo before September 4, 2020?

Israel had been reluctant to recognise the independence of the Republic of Kosovo. Israeli Foreign Minister of the day in February 2008 for The Jerusalem Post had said: “We have not decided when we will make the decision, but we will monitor events and consider the matter. ”

However, things had gone worse since.

Ruhama Avrahham Balila had said that “at the moment the government of Israel has decided not to join the group of states that have recognised Kosovo's independence.” She also added that she saw the “very disturbing” situation.

On 16 September 2009, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman had said that Israel “is monitoring the situation between Serbia and Kosovo” and that Israel hopes “for a comprehensive and peaceful solution” that would be reached through negotiations between states. Lieberman had also said that Israel was able to cope with pressure to recognise Kosovo because Israel “had been under pressure from 1948 on many issues and that we know how to deal with international pressure. ”

In June 2011, Lieberman had said that Kosovo's independence was “the sensitive issue” and that Israel could recognise Kosovo because other states like Greece and Spain would accept it.

In 2011, Serbia voted to recognise Palestine as the 195th member of U NESTO, against Israel's will. /Periscope