From Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar’s remarks: “It was recently reported that Iran attempted to assassinate the Israeli ambassador in Mexico. It’s not the only place they tried to do it.
And from here, I want to send a message that will be heard from Tallinn to Tehran: Iran constantly targets Israel’s embassies, ambassadors, and diplomats. We will not be deterred. On the contrary – we will continue to expand Israel’s relations around the world.”
On his visit to open Israel’s new embassy in Tallinn, Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar today (Tuesday, 11 November 2025) held a meeting and joint press conference with his Estonian counterpart Margus Tsahkna. Following are his full remarks:
“This is a moving day here in Tallinn.
But before I begin, it’s important to say that right now is a difficult and painful moment in Israel.
IDF Officer Hadar Goldin is being brought to rest after 11 years in Hamas’s captivity. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Goldin family.
My friend Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna,
I stand here with you because I believe in Estonia, in the future of
Estonia, and in the relationship between Israel and Estonia.
Four months ago, I stood here in Tallinn and promised that by the end
of 2025, we would open an Israeli Embassy in Estonia.
Today, we are fulfilling that promise.
Estonia has accomplished incredible things in the relatively short
period of its renewed independence.
I greatly appreciate these achievements.
Israel and Estonia have many things in common.
Estonia is a small nation – that faces threats.
Israel is a small nation as well.
We had to fight – from our inception until today – against
countries larger than ourselves. Against terrorist armies that seek our elimination.
We are both nations of democracy and innovation.
Israel is the “Start-Up Nation.”
But the truth is that Estonia is also a “Start-Up Nation”.
And Estonia is a world leader in “E-Governance.”
Israel and Estonia are not only alike – they can also contribute and
complement one another.
Israel has much to learn from Estonia, especially in the area of
public-sector innovation.
The digital efficiency of Estonia’s public sector is a model to emulate.
It makes the lives of Estonian citizens easier and better. We should
learn that from you.
Israel also has much to offer Estonia.
Israel is a global powerhouse in the field of cyber security.
For a country like Estonia – whose infrastructure is based on
digitization – Israeli cyber defenses fit like a glove.
Israel also leads the world in the field of defense systems.
This can be of great assistance to Estonia in addressing its security needs.
We are already setting in motion these collaborations between Israel and Estonia.
We are turning the Israeli-Estonian synergy into practical
cooperation.
I brought with me today to a significant business delegation from Israel.
About fifty Israeli and Estonian companies will hold a joint economic
seminar today.
They will hold a series of bilateral business meetings:
In the fields of Information and Communications Technology, Defense and Cyber.
This partnership is a promise for both our countries.
The opening of the Embassy is a manifestation of our determination to
strengthen relations between our countries at all levels:
Political, economic, and people-to-people ties.
***
It was recently reported that Iran attempted to assassinate the
Israeli ambassador in Mexico. It’s not the only place they tried to do it.
And from here, I want to send a message that will be heard from
Tallinn to Tehran:
Iran constantly targets Israel’s embassies, ambassadors, and diplomats.
We will not be deterred.
On the contrary – we will continue to expand Israel’s relations around
the world.
The Embassy of Israel in Estonia is the third embassy I opened this
year – after opening new embassies in Moldova and Zambia.
We will continue to strengthen Israel’s
relations with the nations around the world.
But we will invest more efforts in friendly countries like Estonia.
And today, I am especially happy – because of the special connection
between Israel and Estonia – that we are doing so here, in Tallinn.
Thank you, Minister, for your personal friendship and the friendship between our two nations.”