Colombia opens an embassy in Jerusalem after restoring diplomatic ties with Israel
Colombia has opened an embassy in Jerusalem, signifying a significant improvement in relations with Israel following the restoration of diplomatic ties by President Abelardo de la Espriella. This move comes in the wake of his predecessor severing ties over the conflict in Gaza.
Colombia's Foreign Ministry described the embassy opening as a "diplomatic milestone," while Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar hailed it as "a day of celebration for Israel-Colombia relations, and for Jerusalem, our capital." The two nations established diplomatic relations in 1957 and have enjoyed close security ties, with Colombia utilizing Israeli-made weapons in its military arsenal.
However, the restoration of ties did not come without controversy. In 2024, then-President Gustavo Petro severed diplomatic relations with Israel, accusing it of genocide in Gaza and comparing the situation to Nazi concentration camps. Israel denied these allegations and condemned Colombia's decision.
Petro had initially announced plans to open an embassy in Ramallah, the West Bank, but this never materialized. De la Espriella's government prioritized restoring relations with Israel after coming to power with U.S. President Donald Trump's backing.
Colombia appointed Tania Gilinski Bacal as its ambassador to Israel in October, with the aim of enhancing trade and cooperation on various fronts. The U.S. was the first country to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017, with nine other countries, including several Latin American nations, following suit. The Palestinians consider east Jerusalem, captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, as the capital of a future state, while Israel maintains the entire city as its own capital.
The final status of Jerusalem remains a central issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, often leading to clashes. Most countries, including most nations, have embassies in Tel Aviv, believing the capital's status should be determined through negotiations.
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