International Recognition of Israel

(1948 - 2011)

On May 14, 1948, the day in which the British Mandate over Palestine expired, the Jewish People's Council officially approved a proclamation declaring the establishment and independence of the State of Israel.

The newly created Jewish state was granted de-facto recgnition by American President Harry Truman only eleven minutes after the initial proclamation of independence, making the United States the first country in the world to recognize Israel. Three days later, on May 17, 1948, the USSR granted Israel its first de-jure recognition. Nearly a year after its creation, on May 11, 1949, Israel was admitted as the 59th member of the United Nations.

Today, at least 149 countries officially recognize Israel, though a number of these states have suspended or even completely severed their bilateral diplomatic relations with Israel. Twenty-five countries have never formally recognized Israel.

The following charts chronologically document Israel's international recognitions. Some nations, such as the United States and South Africa, initially granted de-facto while only later graning de-jure recognition. The dates listed are the first recognition whether de-factor or de-jure.

From Independence (May 14, 1948) - December 31, 1948
From January 1, 1949 - Admittance Into UN (May 11, 1949)
From May 11, 1949 - November 2011
Countries to Never Recognize Israel
Appendix

May 14 (Independence) - December 31, 1948

January 1 - May 11, 1949 (Admittance Into UN)

May 11, 1949 - November 2011

Countries That Have Never Recognized Israel

**- Iran, Chad, Cuba, Morocco, Tunisia, Oman and Qatar recognized Israel on the above dates but have since rescinded that recognition.

Unverified dates of recognition or non-recognition for: Lesotho, Ghana, Gambia, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Togo, Tanzania, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea, Botswana, Bhutan, Central African Republic and Burundi