BACKGROUND
Rwanda and Israel established their diplomatic relations soon after Rwanda’s independence in July 1962. Relations were severed in October 1973 following the Arab-Israeli war (Yom Kippur War), and a subsequent collective boycott by OAU under influence of Arab countries like Algeria and Libya. Diplomatic relations were re-established by the RPF-led transitional government in 1995 and a fully-fledged Embassy was opened in Tel Aviv with a Resident Ambassador.
In the year 2000, the government of Rwanda decided to cut the number of Embassies due to budgetary constraints and the Embassy in Tel Aviv was among those closed. However, diplomatic relations were maintained, and the Rwandan Embassy in Addis Ababa was assigned Israel under its jurisdiction. The government of Rwanda reopened the Embassy in August 2015, with the appointment of Ambassador Joseph RUTABANA as Resident Ambassador who ended his tour of duty in November 2020. The Embassy is located at Maskit 8, Herzliya Pituach
Consular Affairs
The Embassy provides consular assistance to Rwandans and nationals from countries of jurisdiction who want to travel, and work in Rwanda. Other consular activities include, Notary services, provision of replacement of travel documents, advice and support in the case of an accident, serious illness, or death, and arranging for next-of-kin to be informed, liaison with local police officials in the case of nationals missing, loans to distressed travelers, help during crises and pandemics, registering citizen births abroad and intervening in commercial disputes on behalf of Rwandan nationals.