By Elad Benari, Israel National News—
Moldova’s government announced on Tuesday that it will move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, JTA reports.
The announcement followed fallout from a constitutional crisis and power struggle that ended last week with a constitutional court’s suspension of the country’s elected president, Igor Dodon.
The statement tied the decision, which would make Moldova the only European country with its embassy in Jerusalem, to internal unrest and the sale of the land for the construction of a new American embassy in Chisinau, the Moldovan capital.
“We are in the situation to urgently adopt these decisions taking into account the political instability and uncertainty in the country, but also the latest political developments whereas one of the political parties that constantly blocked these two projects is attempting an illegal takeover of power,” the government under its acting prime minister, Pavel Filip, wrote in the statement.
“These are two commitments that we have previously undertaken and we want to make sure they will be respected, regardless of what happens after the snap elections,” the statement added.
The World Jewish Congress welcomed Moldova’s decision to relocate its embassy in Israel.
“The Government of Moldova has taken a welcome step today in affirming its faith in the State of Israel and demonstrating their strong bilateral relations in publicly recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s rightful capital,” said WJC CEO and Executive Vice President Robert Singer.
“I was very pleased to learn of this development from Moldova’s ambassador to the United States this morning, and hope this will set a positive example for all of Israel’s friends considering such a move. It is also a positive gesture to the many Jews of Moldovan descent who now live in Israel, and who continue to feel an attachment to the country that once was their home, as it was for many members of my own family. These are relations that extend beyond just governments, and into the public and personal realm,” he added. Continue Reading….