Colombia Reopens Embassy in Jerusalem After Policy Shift

Colombia officially reopened its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday in a festive ceremony, marking a significant shift in foreign policy under President Abelardo de la Espriella. This move reverses the stance of his predecessor, Gustavo Petro, who had severed ties with Israel in May 2024 due to the war in Gaza and banned coal exports to the country. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and his Colombian counterpart, Omar Bolas Escobar, attended the opening. Saar noted that with Colombia's embassy now operational, there are ten foreign embassies in Jerusalem, and Israel has also reached an agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo to open an eleventh embassy in the city.

The reopening ceremony occurred approximately two months after its original scheduled date of August 7, coinciding with de la Espriella's inauguration. This diplomatic renewal is part of an agreement between Saar and the new Colombian leadership, aiming to fully restore bilateral relations. During Saar's visit to Colombia for the presidential inauguration, the country recognized Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights and agreed to withdraw from South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Additionally, a mutual visa exemption was established.

Vivian Eisen has been appointed as Israel's ambassador to Colombia. Under the previous administration, there were efforts to open a Colombian embassy in "Palestine," a move that President de la Espriella has since canceled. Since June 2024, neither country had resident ambassadors in the other's capital.