Andorra–Israel Relations

Israel does not maintain a resident ambassador in Andorra. The Israeli ambassador to Spain also serves as the non-resident ambassador to Andorra, reflecting the limited permanent diplomatic infrastructure between the two countries.[1] Israel provides consular services for Andorra through its embassy in Madrid.[2]

Local historian Joan Janer Rossell, who said his father had Jewish roots, reported that the Israeli ambassador to Spain visits Andorra annually and invites members of the local Jewish community to a cocktail reception.[5] A 2024 report described anti-Israel rallies as "unheard of" in Andorra and characterized its ties with Israel as strong.[5]

Diplomatic relations between Israel and Andorra were established on April 13, 1994.[1] The relationship was organized through non-resident representation, with Israel's ambassador in neighboring Spain also accredited to Andorra.[1] Public descriptions of the resulting ties emphasize tourism and culture rather than a large resident diplomatic presence or an extensive network of bilateral institutions.[1]

Tourism forms the core of the practical bilateral relationship. Israeli tourists do not require a visa to enter Andorra, and their numbers have been described as increasing.[1] Andorra attracts approximately 8 million tourists annually, with ski resorts and duty-free shopping among its principal attractions.[1]

In November 2024, Chabad-Lubavitch appointed Kuty Kalmenson as Andorra's first full-time rabbi. His work includes supporting resident and visiting Jews in a country that draws millions of visitors for shopping and winter sports.[1]

Israel and Andorra have also met through UEFA competition. In a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match at Jerusalem's Teddy Stadium on June 19, 2023, Israel defeated Andorra 2–1. The result left Israel undefeated across five matches against Andorra.[6]

Financial-information exchange provides another area of practical contact. In 2019, Israel's Tax Authority listed Andorra among the jurisdictions with which Israel would exchange financial information under the Common Reporting Standard, including information about accounts held abroad.[7]

Following the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel in October 2023, Andorra's prime minister issued a statement on X condemning the attacks: "On behalf of @GovernAndorra and myself, I condemn the terrorist attacks perpetrated in various places in Israel and express our support and solidarity with the Israeli authorities and the civilian population."[3] The statement did not specifically mention Hamas or Gaza by name.[3]

A separate Andorran statement called on both parties to halt the escalation of violence, respect international humanitarian law, and pursue diplomatic efforts to protect civilians: "We call, on both parties, to stop the escalation of violence and to respect international humanitarian law and deploy all diplomatic efforts to protect the civilian populations of both Israel and Palestine."[3]

Andorra has voted in favor of several UN General Assembly resolutions concerning Israeli-Palestinian issues. On December 21, 2017, it supported a resolution on the status of Jerusalem, adopted by 128 votes to 9 with 35 abstentions.[8] On December 9, 2021, it supported a resolution concerning Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan, adopted 146–7 with 20 abstentions.[9] On December 3, 2024, Andorra voted for a resolution on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine, adopted by 157 votes to 8 with 7 abstentions.[10]

Through mid-2024, Andorra's official position was that the conditions had not been met to recognize a Palestinian state. In June 2024, Foreign Minister Imma Tor said it was not yet the right time for Andorra to position itself in the conflict. She also referred to Andorra's rapprochement with Israel and its increasing number of Israeli tourists.[5]

On September 22, 2025, Andorra announced recognition of a Palestinian state at a French-Saudi conference held at the United Nations.[11] The Andorran representative said the government had approved recognition and that Palestinians should live in peace and security in their own state alongside Israel. She also called for the release of all hostages held by Hamas, the disarmament of Hamas, and a demilitarized Palestinian state governed by a reformed authority that excluded Hamas.[11][12]

Reports differed over the decision's practical and legal effect. The Jerusalem Post reported that Andorra would recognize a Palestinian state once all hostages had been released and Hamas was no longer in power, while Ynet described the announcement as declarative and its implementation as conditional.[13][4] A U.S. Department of State report listed Andorra among the countries recognizing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state between September 21 and 23, 2025.[14] Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon opposed the conference, saying Israel would not participate in what he called "this charade."[13]

The relationship illustrates how practical bilateral cooperation can coexist with divergent positions in multilateral diplomacy. Tourism, cultural contact, non-resident diplomatic representation, and consular support through Madrid form its institutional base.[1][2] Since October 2023, Andorra has both condemned terrorist attacks against Israel and expressed solidarity with Israeli civilians.[3] It has also supported UN resolutions concerning Palestinian issues and announced Palestinian-state recognition under terms whose implementation was reported as conditional.[10][4]

A reported incident at the 2026 Andorran Carnestoltes festival drew condemnation from Jewish organizations. An effigy painted with an Israeli flag and a Star of David was symbolically hanged, shot, and burned during a mock trial and execution. Members of Andorra's Jewish community called the display "completely unacceptable," and the European Jewish Congress condemned it as potentially normalizing antisemitism.[1]

Reports also differed in their formulation of Andorra's September 2025 Palestinian-state decision. Ynetnews and Calcalist reported that the Andorran government had approved recognition, while The Jerusalem Post and Ynet emphasized conditions involving the release of hostages and Hamas's exclusion from governance.[11][12][13][4] The announcement represented a policy shift from June 2024, when Foreign Minister Tor said the conditions for recognition had not been met.[5][11]