Bulgaria–Israel relations

Bulgaria–Israel relations

Bulgaria	Israel

Bulgaria–Israel relations are foreign relations between Bulgaria and Israel. Bulgaria have recognized Israel on 29 November 1948 and opened embassy in 1952. Bulgaria as part of the Soviet block, Bulgaria has closed the embassy in Tel Aviv and severed diplomatic relations with Israel due to the Six-Days War on 10 June 1967. The relations were officially restored at the level of embassies on 3 May 1990.[1]

Bulgaria and Israel maintain strong friendly relationship, and even considered as allies. The Bulgarian-Israeli relationship covers many aspects of tourism, military, trade, culture, economics, education, and more. Bulgarian nationals and Israeli nationals can visit each other without a visa.[2]

History

Before 1948

See also: History of the Jews in Bulgaria, The Holocaust in Bulgaria, and The Holocaust in Bulgarian-occupied Greece

The presence of Jews in Bulgaria goes back almost 2,000 years. The Jews in Bulgaria received equal rights as part of the creation of the modern state of Bulgaria under the terms of the Treaty of Berlin.

During the Second World War and the Holocaust, Bulgaria saved about 48,000 Bulgarian Jews while deporting to concentration camps about 11,000 Jews of the occupied territories.[3]

1948–1990

Bulgaria have recognized Israel on 29 November 1948 and opened embassy in 1952.

On 27 July 1955 the Bulgarian Air Force accidently shot down EL AL flight 402 from London to Tel Aviv via Vienna. All 7 crew and 51 passengers on board were killed.[4]

On 10 June 1967 Bulgaria has closed the embassy in Tel Aviv and severed diplomatic relations with Israel due to the Six-Days War. The Austrian embassy in Tel Aviv served Bulgaria interest as Protecting power. Bulgaria as part of the Soviet Block voted against Israel and in favor the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379.

From 1990

After the collapse of the People's Republic of Bulgaria and the establishment of the Republic of Bulgaria, Bulgaria and Israel restored the relationship at the level of embassies on 3 May 1990.[1] In 1991 was the first state visit of Israeli prime minister, Yitzhak Shamir, to Bulgaria, and year after in 1992 the first state visit of Bulgarian prime minister, Filip Dimitrov, to Israel.[5]

On 16 December 1996 Bulgaria and Israel signed an Protection on Investment Agreement.[6]

On 18 January 2000 Bulgaria and Israel signed an Avidness of Double Taxation Agreement.[7]

On 15 July 2007 Bulgaria and Israel signed a Visa free agreement.[8]

Economic Relations and Trade

See also: Free trade agreements of the European Union and Free trade agreements of Israel

Bulgaria and Israel have Free Trade Agreement part of the European Union Association Agreement since Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007.

Bulgaria – Israel trade in millions USD-$[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]
	Israel imports  Bulgaria exports	Bulgaria imports  Israel exports	Total trade value
2023	151.2	78.9	230.1
2022	165.8	64.7	230.5
2021	143.2	51.2	194.4
2020	111.7	47.5	159.2
2019	106.6	39.9	146.5
2018	92	41	133
2017	97.8	51.9	149.7
2016	91	38.7	129.7
2015	82.7	88.8	171.5
2014	62.1	128.7	190.8
2013	62.2	53.8	116
2012	56.9	75.3	132.2
2011	62.1	219.3	281.4
2010	60.6	112.4	173
2009	42	69.8	111.8
2008	52	56.2	108.2
2007	63.8	54.3	118.1
2006	48.1	48	96.1
2005	48.2	42.2	90.4
2004	46	30.3	76.3
2003	35.2	23.7	58.9
2002	32.3	20.8	53.1

Tourism

Tourism of Bulgarians in Israel and Israelis in Bulgaria[17][18][19][20]

	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
Tourists form  Bulgaria Arriving to  Israel	20.5	9.6	0.7	3.2	19.8	16.4	11.8	8.4	8.7
Tourists form  Israel Arriving to  Bulgaria	206.6	174.0	54.3	54.2	246.4	245.6	209.3	183.8	155.3

See also

• Foreign relations of Bulgaria
• Foreign relations of Israel
• History of the Jews in Bulgaria
• The Holocaust in Bulgaria
• Bulgarian Jews in Israel
• List of synagogues in Bulgaria

References

1. https://web.archive.org/web/20120902085333/http://www.mfa.bg/en/118/pages/view/2670
2. https://besacenter.org/old-allies-close-friends-the-strategic-importance-of-bulgaria-for-israel/
3. https://www.timesofisrael.com/why-bulgarian-jews-skipped-an-official-ceremony-marking-their-rescue-from-the-nazis/
4. https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/334858
5. https://new.embassies.gov.il/bulgaria/en/the-embassy/bilateral-relations
6. https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/dynamiccollectorresultitem/bulgaria_bit-eng/en/international_agreements_bulgaria_bit-eng.pdf
7. https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/dynamiccollectorresultitem/bulgaria_dtpa/he/international_agreements_bulgaria_%20dtpa-eng.pdf
8. https://www.gov.il/files/mfa/amanot/4-27135-8587.tif
9. "סחר החוץ לפי ארצות בשנת 2023". www.cbs.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
10. "סחר החוץ לפי ארצות בשנת 2020". www.cbs.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
11. "סחר החוץ לפי ארצות בשנת 2017". www.cbs.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
12. "סחר החוץ לפי ארצות בשנת 2014". www.cbs.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
13. "סחר החוץ של ישראל לפי ארצות בשנת 2011". www.cbs.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
14. "סחר החוץ של ישראל לפי ארצות בשנת 2011". www.cbs.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
15. "סחר החוץ לפי ארצות בשנת 2008". www.cbs.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
16. "סחר החוץ לפי ארצות בשנת 2005". www.cbs.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
17. https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/mediarelease/doclib/2024/005/28_24_005t3.pdf
18. https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/publications/doclib/2024/1929_tourism_2022/t04.pdf
19. https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/publications/doclib/2017/1658_tayarut_2015/t04.pdf
20. https://www.nsi.bg/en/content/1967/arrivals-visitors-abroad-bulgaria-purpose-visit-and-country-origin

External links

• Bulgarien Embassy in Israel
• Israeli Embassy in Bulgaria