The Israeli government announced Tuesday it will restore full diplomatic relations with New Zealand, ending a six-month rift following the passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned the Jewish state’s policy on settlements and stated eastern Jerusalem is “occupied territory.”
Israel broke off relations with New Zealand after it sponsored Resolution 2334 along with Senegal, Venezuela and Malaysia.
After a phone conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week, New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English sent a letter to Netanyahu expressing regret over “the damage done to Israel-New Zealand relations as a result of New Zealand proposing Resolution 2334 at the Security Council,” according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
Earlier this month, Israel restored full relations with Senegal, one of the other sponsors of Resolution 2334.