Colombia’s president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has said his incoming government will restore diplomatic relations with Israel and plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem after he takes office in early August, reversing the break with Israel under outgoing president Gustavo Petro.
Colombia’s president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has said he will move quickly to restore Colombia’s relationship with Israel and open an embassy in Jerusalem after his administration begins in August.
Reports of the plan emerged after Colombia’s designated foreign minister, Omar Bula Escobar, met Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Washington. The two sides said they would begin appointing ambassadors and rebuilding diplomatic and economic ties once the new Colombian government takes office on August 7.
De la Espriella’s office and multiple news reports also described the Jerusalem embassy plan as a reversal of the Petro administration’s direction, which had indicated support for opening a Palestinian diplomatic mission in Ramallah.
Relations between Bogotá and Jerusalem deteriorated sharply under President Gustavo Petro during the Israel-Hamas war. Petro accused Israel of committing “genocide” and announced in May 2024 that Colombia would sever diplomatic ties with Israel, a step Israel criticized and that Colombia framed as a response to the Gaza war.
Colombia recognized the State of Israel in February 1949 and established diplomatic relations in 1957, according to historical summaries of the bilateral relationship.
A small number of countries maintain embassies in Jerusalem, including the United States and Guatemala. Israel considers Jerusalem its capital, while many countries keep their embassies in Tel Aviv, citing the city’s disputed status under international diplomacy.
