Heritage Minister Eliyahu to Visit North Macedonia to Deepen Diplomatic and Cultural Ties

Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu (Otzma Yehudit) will travel to North Macedonia as an official guest of the government, following an invitation extended during a meeting earlier this week with North Macedonia’s ambassador to Israel, Shpend Sadiku.

The visit, aimed at deepening diplomatic ties through shared cultural and religious heritage, will focus on fostering interfaith dialogue and cooperation between the two nations.

Eliyahu’s upcoming trip underscores Israel’s broader push to strengthen international partnerships through heritage-based diplomacy. The meeting with Ambassador Sadiku, held at the Knesset, explored potential areas of bilateral collaboration, particularly around the preservation of religious sites, mutual historical recognition, and cultural exchange.

“I gladly accepted the invitation to visit North Macedonia to further promote the shared values that unite our peoples,” Eliyahu said in a statement. “We will continue to strengthen our diplomatic and cultural ties through our common heritage and mutual respect for tradition.”

Israel and North Macedonia established diplomatic relations on December 7, 1995, and have maintained steady cooperation across various sectors since. The countries have partnered in fields including education, healthcare, technology, and emergency response.

Most recently, in March 2025, Israel dispatched a humanitarian medical delegation from Sheba Medical Center to North Macedonia following a tragic nightclub fire that claimed the lives of 59 people. The Israeli team included doctors, nurses, burn and orthopedic specialists, and was accompanied by Israel’s non-resident ambassador to North Macedonia, Simona Frankel.

“Israel stands with the Macedonian people in these difficult moments,” Frankel said at the time. “The departing medical delegation will do its utmost to assist local medical teams in treating the injured and mitigating the severe impact on the local healthcare system.”

Eliyahu’s visit will include meetings with North Macedonian officials and religious leaders and is expected to feature site visits highlighting the country’s Jewish and multicultural history. Among the key themes of the visit will be religious coexistence, the fight against antisemitism, and honoring shared historical narratives.

As Europe and the Middle East continue to grapple with rising extremism and geopolitical realignments, such diplomatic outreach by Israeli ministers represents a strategic investment in soft power, focusing on heritage and interfaith alliances to cement long-term goodwill.

Stay informed on all diplomatic developments and cultural outreach efforts involving Israel and its global partners by subscribing to our newsletter.