- December 15, 2025
- 3:54 pm
- Israel
Ukraine Officially Returns to Haifa: after 11 years of absence, a consular representation will once again appear here. NAnews – Israel News reports on how the network of Ukrainian diplomatic missions in Israel has evolved from 1991 to the present day.
What we will cover in this article:
- Diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Israel were established on 26 December 1991, and by October 1992 the Embassy of Ukraine in Tel Aviv had already opened.
- In 1998, Aron Maiberg was granted the status of Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Haifa, marking the first step toward developing a consular network in the country; his mandate was extended several times by Ukraine’s MFA.
- From 2008–2014, Haifa hosted a General Consulate headed by Ihor Vitaliyovych Turchyn.
- Since 2013, Jerusalem has been home to an Honorary Consulate led by Ofer Kerzner.
- In 2025, the process began to open a new Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Haifa, which is to be headed by Alex Zernopolski.
After Tel Aviv and Jerusalem — Ukraine Returns to Haifa
For the first time in over a decade, the north of Israel will once again have a Ukrainian consular representative. On 14 August 2025, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk announced on “The Best Radio of Israel” that lawyer Alex Zernopolski will become the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Haifa.
According to him, the candidate approval process lasted about ten months, and now it remains only to receive final confirmation from Israel’s MFA. The consular office will operate in Haifa — Israel’s third-largest city and the center of the northern region. The decision is driven both by the growing needs of the Ukrainian diaspora and the city’s strategic importance in the country’s economy.
From Diplomatic Relations to the First Consulates
Diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Israel were established on 26 December 1991. By October 1992, the Embassy of Ukraine opened in Tel Aviv. The first ambassador was Yurii Shcherbak, who served from 29 October 1992 to October 1994. Since the early 2000s, Ukraine has gradually expanded its network of diplomatic institutions to serve not only the capital region but also major centers where a significant portion of Ukrainians reside.
Embassy of Ukraine in Tel Aviv: Historical Overview, Functions, and Cultural Role
The Embassy of Ukraine is located in the northern part of Tel Aviv at: 6259440, Tel Aviv, Yirmiyahu St. 50. Official website — https://israel.mfa.gov.ua/.
Main Tasks and Structure
The Embassy of Ukraine in Israel represents the interests of the Ukrainian state, develops bilateral relations, and protects the rights of Ukrainian citizens abroad. Within the mission, the consular department serves both Ukrainians and foreign nationals.
- Passport and visa services
- Notarial and legal services
- Consular assistance
- Citizenship and registration services
- Other consular services.
All services are provided by appointment, except in emergency cases. Up-to-date information about appointments is posted on the embassy’s website.
Cultural and Public Mission
The Embassy actively fosters cultural cooperation and engages with Israel’s Ukrainian diaspora, whose size is estimated at around 500,000 people. Since 2012, with the embassy’s support, the Ukrainian Cultural Center has been operating — initially opened in Bat Yam and later relocated to Tel Aviv (Yirmeyahu St 22, Tel Aviv-Yafo). The center has become a venue for concerts, exhibitions, literary evenings, and lectures.
For the diaspora, it is a space for communication and preserving cultural identity; for Israelis, it is an opportunity to get acquainted with Ukrainian traditions and art. During crises related to Ukraine, the center and the embassy organize humanitarian aid collection, support actions for the Ukrainian military, and assistance for displaced persons.
Diplomats also take part in celebrating Ukraine’s Independence Day, commemorative events, and joint projects with Israeli partners.
The Embassy Building
The Embassy of Ukraine in Israel (Tel Aviv) is housed in a modern building at Yirmiyahu St. 50, in the northern part of the city. This six-story structure is adjacent to Yarkon Park and located near the central Dizengoff Street, emphasizing its advantageous location. Originally, the building was not constructed as a diplomatic facility — it was an elite residential building with ten comfortable apartments. Due to its convenient location, it attracted the attention of various foreign missions and was ultimately leased for Ukraine’s embassy.
The facade of the building is modern in style, with Ukraine’s national flag flying from the roof. The first floor has been converted into a reception area for the consular department — featuring a secure entrance, information stands, and a registration window. The upper floors house the ambassador’s and staff offices, meeting rooms, and administrative premises. Security measures are in place around the building, as required for a diplomatic facility.
Since the embassy’s opening in 1992, the building has served as the main residence of Ukraine’s diplomatic mission in Israel. Over the years, it has hosted official receptions and cultural events organized by the embassy, becoming a recognizable part of the cityscape and a symbol of Ukraine’s presence in Israel.
Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Jerusalem
Origins
In the early 2010s, as part of efforts to strengthen Ukrainian-Israeli relations, the idea emerged to open an Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Jerusalem. Until then, Ukraine’s diplomatic presence in Israel was limited to the embassy in Tel Aviv (opened in 1992) and the consulate in Haifa, which operated from 2008 to 2014.
In 2013, the Ukrainian leadership decided to establish an honorary consulate in Jerusalem — a move with symbolic significance. It allowed Ukraine to have a representation in a city with a special status without moving the embassy from Tel Aviv. The initiative was actively promoted by the Ukrainian embassy, with the support of the Israeli side. Among its supporters was Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister, originally from Ukraine, Zeev Elkin.
In the summer of 2013, Ukraine’s Ambassador Hennadii Nadolenko officially announced the appointment of the first honorary consul — Israeli businessman Ofer Kerzner. Ukraine issued the consular patent, and Israel granted the exequatur.
Official Opening Ceremony
On 16 May 2013, an official opening ceremony for the consulate was held at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Attendees included Zeev Elkin, Hennadii Nadolenko, representatives of the Israeli business community, and diplomats.
Ofer Kerzner, after receiving the consular patent and signing an agreement outlining his functions and responsibilities, thanked Ukraine’s leadership for their trust. He noted that “in recent years, Ukraine has consistently proven itself a true friend of the State of Israel. In a challenging diplomatic environment, Ukraine has demonstrated steadfast support for Israel both in state policy and in the area of security.”
Ambassador Nadolenko emphasized that the opening of the consulate would strengthen the friendly ties between the two states.
Address of the Honorary Consulate
Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Jerusalem 📍 94187, State of Israel, Jerusalem, George Washington St., 1
Political Context
The opening of the Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Jerusalem in 2013 had important political implications, tied to the status of Jerusalem and the development of Ukrainian-Israeli relations. Formally, this step did not indicate a change in Ukraine’s official position on the city’s status, but it was perceived as a gesture of goodwill toward Israel.
Until 2017, most countries, including Ukraine, refrained from recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, keeping their embassies in Tel Aviv (in line with UN resolutions and the non-recognition of the annexation of East Jerusalem). Nevertheless, Israel highly valued the opening of a Ukrainian consulate in its capital city. It allowed Ukraine to strengthen its diplomatic presence in Jerusalem without the formal relocation of its embassy.
After the United States moved its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018, the Israeli government began urging other countries to follow suit. In December 2018, Israel’s Ambassador to Ukraine Joel Lion openly stated that Israel hoped for Ukraine to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and confirmed that the Israeli side regularly raised this issue in dialogue with Ukrainian authorities.
In October 2018, a resolution draft (No. 9107 of 20.09.2018) was registered in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine regarding the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the relocation of Ukraine’s embassy to Jerusalem.
In May 2019, another resolution draft (No. 10325) was submitted by a group of MPs from various factions urging the President and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to relocate the embassy. Although these initiatives were not implemented at the time, the trend toward reconsidering Ukraine’s stance was gaining momentum.
In December 2021, at an event marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Ambassador Yevhen Korniychuk declared Ukraine’s recognition of Jerusalem as “the only capital of Israel” and announced plans to open an embassy branch there.
This statement was made in the presence of Jerusalem Affairs Minister Zeev Elkin and other high-ranking officials and was the result of agreements at the highest level. According to the ambassador, the Ukrainian side hoped to open a diplomatic presence in Jerusalem within the following year, during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Israel.
Notably, Korniychuk emphasized that recognition of Jerusalem was contingent on expanding cooperation with Israel in the fields of security and defense — in effect, Kyiv linked this diplomatic move to strengthening Israeli-Ukrainian military-technical cooperation. In doing so, Ukraine signaled its readiness to meet Israel’s long-standing request, expecting support for its own priorities in return.
Israel welcomed the ambassador’s remarks; as a gesture of special significance, Zeev Elkin presented Korniychuk with an ancient 2,700-year-old artifact bearing the inscription “Jerusalem” in Hebrew. The initiative could not be implemented due to the war that began in February 2022. In wartime conditions, diplomatic priorities shifted — the planned visit by Zelensky and the opening of an embassy branch in Jerusalem were postponed.
Nevertheless, Ukraine’s statement recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was never withdrawn and remains a symbolic gesture.
Ofer Kerzner: Biography and Diplomatic Mission
Ofer Kerzner was born in Israel in 1957, served in the Israeli Air Force, and later entered the business sector. In 1998, he moved to Kyiv, where he became one of the leading developers, implementing projects for shopping malls, hotels, and residential complexes.
His appointment as Honorary Consul was a logical step: Kerzner had long been contributing to Ukrainian-Israeli ties. Beyond his diplomatic mission, he supports cultural and educational initiatives and sponsors the Gesher Theatre, as well as the Taglit and Garin Tzabar programs.
Role During the War
With the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kerzner transformed the consulate into a hub for humanitarian aid. He organized logistics centers, delivered over 100 tons of supplies, purchased 1,500 sets of body armor and helmets, as well as drones and searchlights for air defense.
In Kyiv, his “Darynok” shopping center established a fortified “Point of Invincibility” covering 68,000 square meters. Kerzner coordinated the evacuation of critically ill children to Israel, assisted residents of de-occupied territories, and advocated for Ukraine to receive defensive systems.
Importance of the Consulate Today
The Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Jerusalem has become a vital element of bilateral relations. Under Ofer Kerzner’s leadership, it performs not only consular duties but also strategic tasks — from aiding citizens to strengthening Ukraine-Israel partnership during some of the most challenging periods in recent history.
Consulate of Ukraine in Haifa (2008–2014) and Ukrainian Consuls: History and Facts
Opening of the Consulate in Haifa (2008): Purpose and Activities
The official General Consulate of Ukraine in Haifa opened on 16 December 2008. Its creation was prompted by the large Ukrainian diaspora in northern Israel and the need to provide easier access to consular services.
According to the Haifa municipality, over 40,000 Ukrainian immigrants lived in the city alone, with up to 200,000 in the northern region of Israel. The new consulate was tasked with quickly resolving passport, visa, and other issues for Ukrainian citizens and immigrants living in Haifa and surrounding areas.
Address and Operations: The Consul was Ihor Vitaliyovych Turchyn. The consulate was located in central Haifa, in the so-called “Oren” building at 2 Pal-Yam Street (4th floor). The consular district covered all of northern Israel — from the city of Hadera and further north along Highway 65.
Within this territory, about 27,000 people were registered at the Haifa consulate, including around 5,000 residents of Haifa itself. The consulate provided the full range of services in accordance with the consular charter: issuing foreign passports, performing notarial acts, issuing certificates, consular registration, and assisting Ukrainian citizens in emergencies.
In addition, the General Consulate promoted bilateral relations — for example, it participated in sister-city programs between Haifa and Odesa and organized cultural and informational events for the diaspora. In 2014, with the consulate’s involvement, the international photo exhibition “City by the Sea” took place, uniting three sister cities: Marseille, Odesa, and Haifa.
The exhibition opened in Haifa in October 2014 with representatives from Ukraine and France present. The project was initiated by Consul Liudmyla Irodovska, a consulate staff member responsible for cultural affairs.
It is worth noting that the decision to open the consulate in Haifa was made at the highest level in the summer of 2008, against the backdrop of intensified Ukrainian-Israeli relations. Shortly before that, in November 2008, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko paid a state visit to Israel, during which the expansion of Ukraine’s diplomatic presence was discussed.
Interestingly, on 4 July 2008, the flagship of the Ukrainian Navy, the frigate “Hetman Sahaidachny,” entered the port of Haifa. The stop in the Israeli port coincided with the ship’s 15th anniversary. After the visit, the frigate departed for the Mediterranean Sea to take part in NATO’s “Active Endeavour” operation. In the port, the ship’s crew was greeted by Ukraine’s Ambassador to Israel, Ihor Tymofieiev, and Israeli journalists were allowed aboard.
(During Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the frigate was undergoing repairs in Mykolaiv port and was partially scuttled on 3 March 2022 to prevent its capture.)
Haifa, sometimes called the “northern capital” of Israel, became the second city after Tel Aviv to host a Ukrainian consular institution. The opening of the General Consulate was supported by the local authorities: Ukraine’s Ambassador to Israel Ihor Tymofieiev and Haifa’s Mayor Yona Yahav participated in the ceremony.
General Consuls of Ukraine in Haifa (2008–2014)
Ihor Vitaliyovych Turchyn was the first and only official General Consul of Ukraine in Haifa during the consulate’s operation. He headed the mission from its opening in late 2008 until its closure in 2014.
Turchyn was a career diplomat and Orientalist with extensive experience in Israel. From 1995 to 2005, he worked at Ukraine’s embassy in Tel Aviv and led the Ukrainian Trade and Economic Mission in Israel. In 2005, he returned to Ukraine’s MFA as head of the department on Russian Federation affairs, and in November 2008, he came back to Israel to set up the new consulate in Haifa. In just one month, he managed to launch the mission “from scratch.”
According to witnesses, Ihor Turchyn was a reserved and businesslike person, a historian by education. Thanks to his efforts, the consulate quickly established good working relations with the local community. Over the years, Turchyn frequently spoke publicly on issues of citizen protection.
For example, in December 2009, when a cargo ship with a Ukrainian crew sank off Israel’s coast, General Consul Ihor Turchyn coordinated assistance for the rescued sailors. In media comments, he clarified Ukraine’s position, noting that the authorities would not negotiate with the shipowner as it was beyond their competence.
The consulate also paid close attention to veterans: diplomats participated in “Victory Parades” in Haifa, memorial ceremonies, and cooperated with Israeli veterans’ organizations. Turchyn also maintained the sister-city relationship between Haifa and Odesa.
In 2010–2011, with the assistance of the Ukrainian consulate in Haifa, exhibitions of Odesa and Haifa cartoonists were held (the “Smile Crossing” projects for April 1), highlighting the cultural kinship of the port cities.
In addition to Ihor Turchyn, other Ukrainian diplomats worked at the consulate, performing consular duties. One particularly notable figure was Liudmyla Ivanivna Irodovska, who served as consul and, in effect, deputy head of the consulate. Irodovska oversaw cultural affairs and community relations. She was the initiator of the aforementioned “City by the Sea” photo exhibition and played a key role in its organization.
Local Russian-language media in Haifa described Liudmyla Irodovska as one of the most approachable diplomats for the diaspora — regularly meeting with community leaders and answering pressing questions from immigrants, such as those related to pension agreements. In the final months before the consulate’s closure in the second half of 2014, when staffing was already reduced, Irodovska effectively acted as the head of the mission on site.
Closure of the Haifa Consulate (2014)
In the summer of 2014, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the closure of the General Consulate in Haifa. The official reason given was “optimization of the diplomatic network” and cost savings. All consular functions for northern Israel were transferred to the Consular Department of the Embassy of Ukraine in Tel Aviv.
According to media reports, the decision was influenced by several factors:
- Reduction of Ukraine’s diplomatic staff abroad due to budget constraints.
- Reorganization of the MFA in the context of political and security crises, particularly after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
- The perception that two full-scale consulates in a country as compact as Israel might be excessive from an administrative standpoint.
The closure caused dissatisfaction among the diaspora in northern Israel, especially among elderly immigrants for whom traveling to Tel Aviv was inconvenient. Several community organizations appealed to Ukraine’s MFA with requests to retain the Haifa consulate, but these appeals were unsuccessful.
After 2014, the premises of the former consulate in the “Oren” building were repurposed, and no official Ukrainian diplomatic representation operated in Haifa until 2025.
Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Haifa (1998–2008): History and Facts
Before the opening of the full General Consulate in 2008, Haifa hosted an Honorary Consulate of Ukraine for a decade, from 1998 to 2008. The honorary consul was Aaron Meiberg, a well-known Haifa businessman and active member of the Ukrainian Jewish community.
Meiberg’s role was primarily focused on representing Ukraine’s interests in northern Israel, supporting cultural events, and assisting Ukrainian citizens in emergencies. His office handled limited consular services, such as document certification, providing information, and liaising with Ukrainian authorities.
Under Meiberg’s leadership, the honorary consulate became a hub for Ukrainian cultural life in Haifa. It hosted art exhibitions, Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations, and literary evenings. Meiberg himself often acted as a bridge between Ukrainian organizations and Haifa’s municipal authorities.
In 2008, with the opening of the official General Consulate of Ukraine in Haifa, the honorary consulate’s functions were discontinued. Nevertheless, Meiberg remained an influential figure in the Ukrainian-Israeli community, participating in various bilateral initiatives and charitable projects.
Consulate of Ukraine in Eilat (2000–2005): History and Facts
From 2000 to 2005, Ukraine operated a consular office in Eilat, Israel’s southernmost city and a major resort on the Red Sea. The consulate was opened to serve Ukrainian citizens residing or vacationing in southern Israel, as well as to promote tourism and economic ties between Ukrainian regions and Eilat.
The decision to establish a consulate in Eilat was linked to the rapid growth of tourism between Ukraine and Israel in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Thousands of Ukrainian tourists visited Eilat annually, and the city became a popular winter destination. At the same time, many Israelis traveled to Ukraine for cultural and pilgrimage tourism.
The Eilat consulate provided a range of services: issuing visas, assisting citizens in emergencies, and promoting Ukrainian culture. It also worked closely with local hotels, tour operators, and the municipality to facilitate cooperation in the tourism sector.
The first and only consul in Eilat was Leonid Pechersky, a career diplomat with experience in the Middle East. Pechersky actively engaged with the local community and organized several cultural events, including Ukrainian film screenings and folk music concerts.
In 2005, the consulate in Eilat was closed as part of a restructuring of Ukraine’s diplomatic missions in Israel, with its functions transferred to the Embassy in Tel Aviv. Despite its relatively short existence, the Eilat consulate played a significant role in deepening Ukrainian-Israeli cultural and tourism ties.
Ambassadors of Ukraine to Israel: A Historical Overview
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on 26 December 1991, Ukraine has appointed a series of ambassadors to Israel, each contributing to the development of bilateral ties in unique ways. Below is a chronological overview:
1. Roman Lubkivsky — 1992–1994
The first Ambassador of independent Ukraine to Israel. A poet, translator, and cultural figure, Lubkivsky focused on laying the foundation for bilateral diplomatic, cultural, and educational cooperation.
2. Hennadii Udovenko — 1994–1998
A prominent Ukrainian diplomat and former Minister of Foreign Affairs. Under Udovenko, political dialogue deepened and trade relations expanded.
3. Ihor Lytvyn — 1998–2000
During his term, Israel and Ukraine signed agreements in the fields of transportation, science, and culture.
4. Ihor Tymofieiev — 2000–2004
Known for strengthening consular services and promoting sister-city agreements, including between Haifa and Odesa.
5. Volodymyr Lytvynenko — 2004–2006
Worked on enhancing agricultural cooperation and mutual investments.
6. Ihor Ostash — 2006–2010
Focused on parliamentary diplomacy, cultural exchanges, and support for the Ukrainian diaspora in Israel.
7. Hennadii Oleksiiovych Nadolenko — 17 July 2010 – 22 September 2020
One of the most well-known Ukrainian diplomats in Israel. He actively participated in cultural and economic projects, strengthened bilateral cooperation, and maintained close ties with the Ukrainian Jewish diaspora. His decade-long tenure is remembered for initiatives in education, tourism, and trade.
8. Yevhen Korniichuk — from 2021 to the present
The current Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Israel. Serving during a time of war, he has been instrumental in expanding Ukraine’s consular network and securing Israeli support in humanitarian and defense matters. He also played a key role in reopening Ukraine’s diplomatic presence in Haifa after more than a decade.
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The history of Ukraine’s diplomatic missions in Israel is not just a list of official dates — it reflects a continuous search for new forms of cooperation and a commitment to supporting the diaspora. From the first ambassadors to the honorary consuls, every appointment marked a step toward strengthening Ukraine’s presence in Israel.
Today, as Haifa once again prepares to host a Ukrainian consular mission, this moment symbolizes the renewal of Ukraine-Israel ties and the recognition of the northern region’s importance in this shared history.
