15 Foreign Parliamentarians Attend Knesset Event Advocating Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital

Fifteen parliamentarians from around the world committed to recognizing Jerusalem’s sovereignty at a Knesset conference held on May 13, 2026, ahead of Jerusalem Day. The lawmakers, who came from the US, Japan, Australia and several European and African nations, delivered speeches and presented operational commitments to advance Jerusalem’s status in their national institutions.

@Jerusalem_Post reported that Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana and Mayor of Jerusalem Moshe Lion attended the event alongside ambassadors from Argentina, Paraguay, Malawi, Guatemala, Panama and Fiji.

The Jerusalem Post was also present. Amir Ohana opened the conference by describing Jerusalem as a city where Jews, Christians and Muslims live and worship freely together. He said Israel must continue working to ensure that more nations recognize Jerusalem as its capital and move their embassies there.

MK Dan Illouz spoke at the conference, stating there is one historical truth and the Jewish people have an eternal right to their capital. “Today, the truth itself is under attack. Standing with Jerusalem right now is not merely a political gesture.

It is a profound moral choice,” Illouz said. He added that his Knesset led legislation against foreign interference in Jerusalem. ” Josh Reinstein, Director of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus and President of the Israel Allies Foundation, said the event provides a platform for lawmakers to share concrete plans such as advocating for Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital in their own parliaments and governments.

Chair of the Australian-Israeli Caucus, MP Andrew Wallace, expressed sadness that Australia does not recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Bert Jan Ruissen, chair of the European Union Parliamentary Israel Allies Caucus, said Jerusalem must remain the undivided capital of Israel and that the EU should move its embassy to Jerusalem.

Chega MP Pedro Frazão, Chair of the Portugal Parliamentary Israel Allies Caucus, said Chega supports the transfer of the Portuguese embassy to Jerusalem.

@Jerusalem_Post reported that Chega is now the second largest party in Portugal. The Honourable Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, Ghana-Israel Caucus chair, said Ghana is pushing to move its embassy to Jerusalem. He added that the Ghanaian president will come to Israel in 2027 to sign the declaration of the embassy move.

The Democratic Republic of Congo announced the move of its embassy to Jerusalem in 2023. Reverend Carlos Tembe was elected the second vice president in the Mozambican parliament. MP Julius Moilinga, chair of the South Sudan forum, spoke at the gathering.

Israel recognized South Sudan’s independence in 2011. The conference approaches the 60th anniversary of Jerusalem’s unification. Illouz said his country is building an international coalition that will recognize its indisputable right to its united capital.