Israel will have a permanent delegate to NATO. This is what the Alliance officially communicates.
"The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has accepted the request for the permanent presence of an Israeli official at NATO headquarters."
The decision was long awaited after Turkey, the only member of the Alliance's Middle East, vetoed it. NATO consensus is a sign of détente in relations between Israel and Turkey.
"NATO has invited all partners to establish diplomatic offices at the headquarters of the Atlantic Alliance in Brussels. Israel has always been a very active partner."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel would revise its ties with all the main members of the Alliance, thanks to its permanent presence in Brussels.
The Alliance states that "Israel is not a full member, but is officially accredited to NATO, with a permanent mission as a partner." A way to circumvent the mutual defense clause that obliges all allies to intervene in case of necessity.
Israel is already participating in numerous military exercises with NATO members, excluding Turkey.
NATO numbers around 40 partner nations, including some Mediterranean countries and Persian Gulf states, which regularly contribute to operations, such as those in Afghanistan and naval missions off the coast of Somalia.
(in the picture members of the Knesset visiting NATO in February)
