CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, has decided to admit Israel as a full member in this important scientific organization.

This decision will allow Israel to become more rapidly involved in the range of scientific, research, industrial and educational activities of CERN.

Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman: "This is a day of pride and satisfaction for Israeli science, and we congratulate all the scientists who were involved in this achievement, which brings honor to the State of Israel. The decision is also an impressive achievement for Israeli diplomacy and the work of the Foreign Ministry which led this effort for many years. We thank all the government ministries as well as the research and academic institutions which were partners in this effort. We also thank the European member states of CERN for their support in Israeli membership in the organization."

"Israel is proud to become a full member of CERN, a flagship of European scientific research," said Eviatar Manor, Israel's Ambassador to the UN in Geneva. "We look forward to contributing to the further development of our relationship for the benefit of science, development and education."

Israeli scientists have been involved in the CERN programme since 1991, and Israel has been an Associate Member of CERN since 2011.