Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar’s today (Tuesday, 11 November 2025) opened the new Israeli embassy in the Estonian capital, Tallinn. Following is FM Sa’ar’s speech at the reception in honor of the opening of the embassy:
“My dear friend Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna,
Thank you for your friendship, hospitality and partnership, it’s a real pleasure to work with you.
Members of Parliament,
Ambassadors,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Rabbi,
****
Today is a historic day for the relations between Israel and Estonia.
After 33 years of diplomatic relations, we can proudly say:
There is an Israeli Embassy in Estonia.
I’m sorry that we were late.
But you have to admit – I got it done quickly from the time I promised I would do it.
Relations between the Jewish and Estonian people go back hundreds of years. They have known both ups and downs.
We also faced in all of Europe and almost without an exception the terrible Holocaust.
Estonia was declared Judenfrei by the Nazis in January 1942.
during the war, the great synagogue of Tallinn was destroyed – the synagogue you presented in the picture you gave me.
We have come a long way since that dark period.
Our new embassy was established today right next to where the great synagogue stood.
This is a milestone displaying how far we have come.
Since forming diplomatic relations in 1992 – ties between Israel and Estonia have been close and warm.
Following today’s historic step – we will take these relations to the next level.
***
Israel and Estonia are both Start-Up Nations.
I used to say everywhere that we’re the Start Up Nation but here I say that we both are.
Estonia is a world leader in ‘E-Governance’.
It’s a small, innovative and impressive nation.
Estonia was liberated from Soviet Communism slightly over three decades ago.
It has accomplished incredible things in such a short time.
I greatly admire Estonia’s achievements.
Almost all of Estonia’s public services are done on the internet:
Minimum bureaucracy.
Maximum efficiency.
We can only be envious.
Work days are not wasted on long government lines.
The Estonian model saves government offices 30% of their time.
It directly helps the citizens.
The public sector here is efficient.
Allow me to share something that you may not know:
In 2017 – during my break from politics – I came here to Estonia with my wife.
I wanted to see the digital revolution with my own eyes.
I said then to Estonia’s Ambassador to Israel:
I’ll pay for the whole thing. Just arrange the right meetings for me so that I understand what you did.
Afterwards, when I established my own party, in our platform in the 2021 elections, I proposed the adoption of the Estonian model: the digitization of the public sector.
I also wrote about it in a short book that I published during those elections.
Unfortunately, I only received 6 seats in the elections.
I couldn’t implement it then.
It will be implemented one day. It is inevitable.
We have a lot to learn from Estonia. And we also have a lot to offer.
****
Israel, too, is a small, innovative nation.
We have some remainings of our socialist past. It’s connected to the beaurocracy still with us today.
Yet we live in a very challenging region. We have faced wars, terrorism and threats to our existence since our birth.
During the past two years – throughout the war – Israel’s economy remained strong.
Our extremely resilient private sector has developed cutting-edge technologies – in the civil, defense, and cyber sectors.
Some of these companies are with me here today:
They met today Estonian companies.
Leaders in communications, cyber, and defense, and representatives of our major economic organizations.
Israel, like Estonia, is a pioneer in the space sector.
We have cutting-edge innovation in small-satellite and dual-use technologies.
Israel is a world leader in cyber security. You are also good at that. But maybe we can add something. It remains to be seen.
Israel is also a global leader in defense systems.
This has been on full display over the past two years – when the radical axis led by Iran tried to attack us again and again with missiles and drones.
This can greatly benefit Estonia’s own security needs.
We share challenges. We want to share our solutions with you as friends.
The Minister said this morning that Estonia has 5.3% of their GDP to spend. We want to help with that. It’s a sacred mission.
We want to invest in Estonia.
We want Estonia to invest in Israel.
Civil trade between Israel and Estonia reached 95 million dollars in 2024.
We can double it very quickly. Way before 2030.
It’s achievable!
Minister,
I believe we will achieve great things together that benefit not only our nations – but the world at large.
****
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Not long ago, in July, I visited Tallinn. I announced my intention to open an embassy here.
I said it would be done by the end of 2025.
We did it 7 weeks ahead of schedule.
I want to thank the devoted Foreign Ministry team for making it happen incredibly quickly.
I want to thank my Director-General Eden Bar-Tal.
I thank Ambassadors Boaz Rudkin and Modi Ephraim for their hard work.
We’re grateful for the close partnership with the Estonian government.
During that time, I nominated our new Ambassador Amit Gil-Bayaz. Congratulations and good luck. You’re going to work extremely hard.
***
Friends,
The partnership between Israel and Estonia goes far beyond science and technology.
Our nations are both small in size yet large in spirit.
We’re both thriving, modern democracies.
I believe in Estonia.
Let’s be a part of each other’s success stories. I know we will.
I invite you, my friend Margus, to come visit Israel. Please do it soon.
You were supposed to come in June. But we had some things to do with Iran during that month – so it was postponed. But we are already in November. Let’s do it quickly. Come with your delegation, and we’ll strengthen the things we started on this visit.
Let’s do it now.
Let’s work together.
I believe that together, we can accomplish things we never imagined. These two great nations can do great things together. Thank you for being a great partner!”
Credit – Shalev Man
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