Colombia opens embassy in Jerusalem, restores free trade deal with Israel
The move restores diplomatic and trade ties after Colombia cut relations under former President Gustavo Petro, officials said.
- On Wednesday, Colombia opened its embassy in Jerusalem, becoming the 10th country to do so, with Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar attending the inauguration ceremony.
- Former Colombian President Gustavo Petro broke diplomatic relations in May 2024 and closed the embassy in Tel Aviv; President Abelardo de la Espriella campaigned to restore ties and fulfilled that pledge upon taking office.
- On Tuesday, the two nations reinstated their free trade agreement that Petro had terminated. Newly appointed Colombian Ambassador to Israel Tania Gilinski assumed her position after three years without diplomatic representation.
- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called Colombia a strategic partner and pledged continued assistance with security challenges, recalling Israel's previous dispatch of 80 rescue personnel following a devastating earthquake.
- Saar noted Congo will soon open the 11th embassy in Jerusalem and identified another country as the 12th, urging Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion to accelerate office space construction for incoming missions.
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Colombia opens embassy in West Jerusalem as new president embraces Israel
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Al Arabiya
Arab NewsColombia opens embassy to Israel in Jerusalem
Colombia opens embassy in Jerusalem, marking dramatic diplomatic turnaround after Petro era
Colombian and Israeli foreign ministers inaugurated the mission after President Abelardo de la Espriella restored relations severed under Gustavo Petro; Gideon Sa'ar called it Jerusalem's 10th embassy and said Congo would open the 11th, with another country to follow
Colombia opens embassy in Jerusalem, restores free trade deal with Israel
Colombia opened its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, becoming the 10th country to do so, as new President Abelardo de la Espriella reversed his predecessor's break with Israel by also restoring a free trade agreement between the two countries.
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