Introduction
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Israel-Moldova relations have strengthened and deepened. This has included the opening of an Israeli embassy in Moldova, bilateral diplomatic visits, and the emergence of security cooperation, most notably reflected in Moldova’s acquisition of ATMOS artillery systems.
Israel-Moldova Relations
Diplomatic relations between Moldova and Israel were officially established in June 1992 following Moldova’s independence from the Soviet Union. Moldova opened its embassy in Tel Aviv in 1994, while Israel opened its first embassy in Chișinău in 2025.[1]Embassy of Israel to the Republic of Moldova, Bilateral relations, 15.05.2025
While Israel and Moldova had very modest economic cooperation, since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the relations strengthened, especially in economic, military and security cooperation.[2]Israel Hayom, Moldova and Israel – historic time for a strategic partnership, 27.08.2023[3]The Jerusalem Post, Moldova’s ties to Israel have never been better, FM tells ‘Post’ – interview, 28.05.2025
In August 2023, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen visited Moldova, the first such visit by an Israeli official in a decade.[4]Israel Hayom, Moldova and Israel – historic time for a strategic partnership, 27.08.2023
Military Relations
Military and security cooperation between Israel and Moldova has strengthened in recent years. In 2025, the Moldavian army revealed acquisition of ATMOS artillery systems developed by Elbit Systems.
In 2019, Moldova and Israel both participated in a NATO-led exercise, Allied Spirit X, held in Germany along NATO ally and partner nations: United States, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.[5]Israel Defense, Israeli Forces Participated in NATO’s Allied Spirit X Exercise, 18.04.2019
In 2020 the Israeli cyber company Toka won a World Bank-sponsored contract to assist the Government of Moldova to identify the country’s cybersecurity gaps and recommend a resilient strategy to modernize government mobile device and data security.[6]Israel Defense, Toka scores $25 million Series B to enhance cybersecurity of gov’t organizations, 31.10.2020
In December 2022 a representative from Moldova participated in a UN ambassadors delegation that went on a two-day visit to Israel, alongside representatives from the US, Belize, Costa Rica, Georgia, Haiti, Italy, Malta, Romania, Slovenia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, and Thailand. The delegation met with senior IDF officials, visited the 91st Galilee Division, toured the Palmachim Air Force Base, received a briefing on Israel’s aerial defense system and visited an Iron Dome battery.[7]Israel Defense, Israel invites UN ambassadors to learn about its security challenges first-hand, 19.12.2022
In 2025 Moldova received ATMOS 2000 truck-mounted 155 mm howitzers manufactured by Elbit Systems. The ATMOS howitzer is a NATO-standard artillery system, replacing Soviet-era equipment. Although no purchase deal between Moldova and Israel was reported, in 2023 Elbit Systems announced that it had signed a contract to supply ATMOS self-propelled howitzers to an undisclosed country.[8]Army Recognition, Moldova fields Israeli ATMOS 2000 155mm howitzers as EU ramps up security aid, 13.11.2025[9]Militarnyi, Moldova Equipped With Israeli ATMOS Self-Propelled Artillery Systems, 13.11.2025[10]Logos Press, Moldova “discreetly” acquired Israeli howitzers, 15.11.2025
In 2026 forensic laboratory specialists of the Moldovan police participated in a training intended for users of Cellebrite‘s phone-hacking product “insights“. The training was funded by the European Union’s Anti-Fraud Programme.[11]15 min, Policija pataria nesivarginti, trinant nusikaltimų įrodymus: pareigūnai mokosi atkurti visus susirašinėjimus, 11.06.2026