BREAKING: Russia to Open Embassy Branch in Jerusalem

This shocking move was part of a secret deal between the Holy City’s municipality and one of the world’s leading superpowers.

By Nosson Shulman: Licensed Tour Guide of VIP Israel Tours & Authentic Virtual Tours (click here to check out his free trailer videos)

In a major diplomatic victory for Israel, the Russians have shockingly agreed to open a branch of their embassy in Jerusalem, something they previously said they would not do until a final status agreement finalized. This follows a secret deal between the city of Jerusalem and the Russian government, bringing an end to a decades-long dispute over a plot of land. The Russians are to retake possession of the parking lot (located in the city center near the intersection of King George and Maa’lot Streets). They have also agreed to build (expected completion in the next 5-10 years) a full complex with offices providing consular services, and will include diplomatic residences and a conference hall (making its status higher than a consulate).

The land in question was bought by the Imperial Russian Empire in 1885 (an official inventory taken in 1895 of all Imperial Russian owned land in Israel and Syria listed this property as being in their possession). Prior to the First World War, the Tzar’s family owned and administered several properties in Jerusalem. The most well-known was the Russian Compound, that today houses much of Jerusalem’s municipal buildings, a courthouse and the city’s main detention center. Their purpose was to get a foothold in Israel by buying as much land as possible so that when the ruling Ottoman Turkish empire would crumble (which everyone knew was inevitable), they would be able to take it over (other empires such as France, England, Austria-Hungary, and Germany were busy buying up lands for the same reason). Ultimately England was successful, and the Russians lost control of most of their land holdings.

Jerusalem is in the process of extending its light rail system and constructing new lines (that any visitor to Israel’s capital city can see in full force, any time of day). This parking lot was soon to be expropriated for the construction of a new line, but this agreement puts an end to that. It also settles the exact borders of the plot (that had been in dispute) and Jerusalem has agreed to forego any property tax owned by the Russian government.

This deal is being hailed by the foreign ministry and Jerusalem municipality as a major diplomatic achievement. According to Jerusalem’s deputy mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, “We are constantly in talks with many different countries about the recognition of Jerusalem as our capital and opening a presence in our city. We are pleased that this deal brings us a step closer towards that goal with the Russian Federation.””

The agreement was kept secret until it was signed, due to Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. Advanced notice might have scuttled the deal. Israel has cautiously supported Ukraine with humanitarian aid (in fact, Israel was the first country to set up a field hospital there) voting with them in the UN and giving early warning systems against missiles. However Israel thus far has not permitted any of its weapons to go to Ukraine, due to the fact that maintaining a good relationship with Russia is deemed essential for Israel’s security (unofficially, Russia controls Syria’s skies and allows Israel a great deal of freedom of movement to act against Iranian aggressors who are trying to entrench themselves in Syria and thereby threaten the Jewish State). Russian also has one of the largest Jewish populations in the world, and they do not want to put the community at risk.

Nosson Shulman is a journalist and Licensed Tour Guide in Israel specializing in Biblical tours. To allow tourists to experience Israel during the Corona era, he created the new hit Israel tour video series which brings Israel to the home of viewers by simulating actual tours. To check out his free sneak preview tour videos, click here. To view sample tour itineraries or to inquire about private tour opportunities with a personalized itinerary on your next trip to Israel, click here.

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