"We haven't decided when we're going to decide, and instead will monitor events and consider the issue," an unnamed Israeli Foreign Ministry official was quoted by the Jerusalem Post in February 2008.[276] Israel will not recognise Kosovo's independence at this time, in part because of the possibility of Palestinians using recognition of Kosovo to justify their own unilateral declaration of independence.[277] According to The Jewish Chronicle, Foreign Ministry officials and politicians are privately voicing a general sympathy towards the Kosovar cause, however Israel still won't recognise Kosovo.[278] Knesset representative Ruhama Avraham said that "at present the government of Israel has made decision not to join the group of countries which recognised the independence of Kosovo". She also said that Israel considers the situation "very disturbing".[279] On 28 April 2009, Arthur Koll, the Israeli ambassador to Serbia, said it had been more than a year since Kosovo unilaterally declared independence, and that Israel had no intention of recognising that independence and that "Israel is asked from time to time how solid this decision is, but the fact is that Israel's position has not changed throughout this time. The Serbian people and government should appreciate Israel's position, which also demonstrates the friendship between the two states".[280][281] On 16 September 2009, Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman said that Israel is "monitoring the situation between Serbia and Kosovo" and that Israel hopes for "a really comprehensive and peaceful solution" which would be established through negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina. Lieberman said that his country would be able to withstand the pressure made on it to recognise Kosovo because Israel has "been under pressure since 1948 on many issues and we know how to deal with any pressure".[282] "Israeli officials have confirmed that Israel will remain firm in its stand [on Kosovo]," Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić said during a visit to Israel in late October 2009.[283] In June 2011, Lieberman said that Kosovo's independence is a "sensitive issue" and that Israel may recognise Kosovo after other countries like Greece and Spain accept it.[284] On 3 August 2012, during the opening of Israeli Embassy in Tirana, Lieberman, when asked about Kosovo, said that his country is in a delicate situation.[285] In August 2012, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister, Danny Ayalon, stated that Israel was considering recognising Kosovo, with a decision expected as soon as the following year.[286] In December 2012, the Israeli Ambassador to Albania, David Cohen, said that Israel has not recognised Kosovo yet, but it is working on this issue and that although it does not have known trade relations with Kosovo, it does give visa facilitation for Kosovars.[287]
- Israel won't recognize Kosovo, for now, The Jerusalem Post, 2008-02-19
- Jump up^ Israel won't recognize Kosovo, for now Archived 16 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine., The Jerusalem Post, 2008-02-19
- Jump up^ Israel breaks ranks on Kosovo Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine., The Jewish Chronicle, 2008-02-21
- Jump up^ Израиль пока не намерен признавать независимость Косово, RIA Novosti, 2008-02-19 (in Russian)
- Jump up^ "Israeli position on Kosovo firm" Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine., B92, 2009-04-28
- Jump up^ Izrael ne menja stav o nezavisnosti Kosova, RTS, 2009-04-28 (in Serbian)
- Jump up^ Press conference with FM Lieberman in Belgrade, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2009-09-16
- Jump up^ "Israel firm in refusing to recognize Kosovo" Archived 3 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine., B92, 2009-10-28
- Jump up^ Israeli will recognize Kosovo after Spain and Greece, says FM Archived 1 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine., AlbanianEconomy.com, 2011-06-28
- Jump up^ Liberman nuk prononcohet rreth mundësisë së njohjes së Kosovës, RTK, 2012-08-03 (in Albanian)
- Jump up^ Izraeli së shpejti do ta njeh pavarësinë e Kosovës, Telegrafi, 2012-08-03
- Jump up^ Njohja e Kosovës nga Izraeli, ambasadori Cohen: Po punojmë në këtë drejtim, Ora News, 2012-12-18 (in Albanian)
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