Colombia Opens Embassy in Jerusalem, Restoring Diplomatic Ties

Colombia officially inaugurated its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, marking a significant step in the renewal of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The opening ceremony, attended by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and his Colombian counterpart Omar Bula Escobar, saw the unveiling of the new embassy sign and the affixing of a mezuzah at the entrance. Sa'ar hailed the event as a "festival day for the relations between the countries and for Jerusalem," noting the rapid increase in foreign embassies in the capital. "When I took office less than two years ago, there were only five. This is both an important milestone and a great diplomatic achievement," he stated. Sa'ar shared that the current President of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, had promised to move the embassy to Jerusalem if elected, a commitment that has now been fulfilled. He emphasized that the embassy's location is not only a political recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital but also an acknowledgment of "historical truth that no decent person can deny."

Colombian Foreign Minister Escobar addressed the past rupture in relations, stating that they should never have been severed. "Today we are taking a tangible step to renew our diplomatic relations," Escobar said, adding, "Israel is a strategic partner, it always has been, and from now on, it will be even more so." Following the inauguration, both ministers proceeded to a working meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem. The Colombian embassy is the tenth foreign representation to establish its presence in Jerusalem.