On May 17, 1948, three days after Israel declared its independence, the Soviet Union officially granted de jure recognition of Israel, becoming only the second country to recognise the Jewish state (preceded only by the United States' de facto recognition) and the first country to grant Israel de jure recognition.
Three days after Israel proclaimed its independence on May 17, 1948, the Soviet Union formally endorsed Israel's legitimacy, taking a significant step in recognizing the Jewish state, which was previously recognized only by the United States through de facto means.