Embassy of Israel, Washington, D.C.

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Embassy of Israel, Washington, D.C.
Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C.jpg
Embassy of Israel, Washington, D.C.
Location Washington, D.C.
Address3514 International Drive, N.W.
Coordinates 38°56′33.8″N77°4′6.3″W / 38.942722°N 77.068417°W / 38.942722; -77.068417
OpeningDecember 1980
Ambassador Yechiel Leiter
Website https://embassies.gov.il/washington/Pages/default.aspx

The Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C. is the diplomatic mission of the State of Israel to the United States. It is located at 3514 International Drive, Washington, D.C., in the North Cleveland Park neighborhood. [1]

Contents

History

The embassy opened in December 1980, after Israel's 1977 request to move to the Embassy Row during the then-Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin's first visit to Washington, D.C. On another visit to the city, Begin did the Jewish ritual of hanging a talisman of a jellyfish on the embassy's front door. [2]

The Ambassador is Yechiel Leiter. In addition to the ambassador, the embassy includes 13 departments that seek to strengthen the relationship between the United States and Israel. These departments include the Defense and Armed Forces Attache, the Political Department, Congressional Affairs, Public Diplomacy, Defense and Armed Forces, Economic Mission, Commercial Mission, the Minister for Administrative Affairs and Consul, Police and Security, Academic Affairs, Cultural Affairs, Press Office, and Agriculture and Science.

The embassy hosts numerous events for politicians and the general public throughout the year, including a celebration for Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day. [3] [4]

On February 25, 2024, Aaron Bushnell, a 25-year-old serviceman of the United States Air Force, died after setting himself on fire, while live streaming the event, outside the front gate of the Embassy in protest of perceived genocide and United States support for Israel in the Gaza war. [5]

On May 21, 2025, two staff members were killed in a shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum. The suspected shooter chanted pro-Palestinian slogans after the shooting. [6] [7]

References

  1. ↑ "The Embassy of Israel". Embassy.org. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  2. ↑ Eisen, Jack (December 22, 1980). "Israel Becomes First Occupant of a New Diplomatic Neighborhood". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  3. ↑ Rose, Casey Gannon, Jennifer Hansler, Rashard (February 25, 2024). "US airman sets himself on fire outside Israeli Embassy in Washington | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved February 26, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ Yen, Amanda (February 25, 2024). "Man Sets Himself on Fire in Front of Israeli Embassy in D.C." The Daily Beast. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Aaron Bushnell: US airman dies after setting himself on fire outside Israeli embassy in Washington". February 26, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Two Israeli embassy staff shot dead in attack at DC Jewish museum". BBC. May 22, 2025. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  7. ↑ Jeong, Andrew; Davies, Emily; Timsit, Annabelle (May 22, 2025). "Two Israeli Embassy workers shot and killed near Jewish museum in D.C." The Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved May 22, 2025.
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