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Relationship dossier

Iceland Israel

Relationship assessment

Diplomatic ties shaped by Iceland’s recognition of Palestine and disagreements over Israeli policy

Iceland toward Israel

-20

Iceland recognized Palestine as a state in 2011, a decision that Israel opposed. Iceland has also criticized Israeli policies toward Palestinians, contributing to friction in relations with Israel.

Israel toward Iceland

-10

Israel objected to Iceland’s 2011 recognition of Palestine, making the decision a source of bilateral friction.

Overall relationship

-15

The relationship has formal diplomatic ties but limited evident substantive cooperation. Iceland’s recognition of Palestine and its criticism of Israeli policy have been central sources of tension, while the scope of durable cooperative arrangements is unclear.

How to read these scores

Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.

−100
Extreme sustained hostility
−50
Substantially adversarial
0
Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
+50
Substantially cooperative
+100
Exceptionally close sustained partnership

“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.

Relationship context

Knowledge coverageLimited

Overview

Iceland and Israel maintain diplomatic relations, but Iceland’s recognition of Palestine in 2011 became a significant point of bilateral friction. Iceland has also criticized Israeli policies toward Palestinians. Israel objected to Iceland’s recognition, contributing to strained relations. The relationship is shaped more clearly by disagreement over the Palestinian issue than by substantial bilateral cooperation.

Areas of tension

Key developments

Major uncertainties

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