Colombia Opens Embassy in Jerusalem, Marking 10th Mission in Capital

Colombia officially inaugurated its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, a significant step in the renewed diplomatic relations between the two countries. The festive ceremony was attended by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and his Colombian counterpart, Omar Bolivar Escobar, who is visiting Israel. The Mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion, also graced the event with his presence. This marks the tenth embassy to open in Israel's capital. Saar highlighted that the number of embassies in Jerusalem has doubled during his tenure, stating, "When I took office, less than two years ago, there were only five. This is both an important milestone and a great diplomatic achievement."

Saar recounted that the President of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, had pledged to him before his election to move the embassy to Jerusalem if he won the presidency. "The promise has been fully kept," Saar said, adding, "This is a festive day for Israel-Colombia relations, but it is also a festive day for Jerusalem, the capital." He emphasized that establishing the embassy in Jerusalem is a recognition of its status as Israel's capital and of historical truth.

During the ceremony, the embassy's sign was unveiled, and Saar affixed a mezuzah to the entrance. The Colombian Foreign Minister underscored the importance of restoring ties, stating, "Today we are taking a tangible step to renew our diplomatic relations, relations that should never have been severed. Israel is a strategic partner, it always has been, and from now on, it will be even more so."

Following the ceremony, Saar was scheduled to host his counterpart for a political meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem. The move follows the completion on Tuesday of the exchange of letters between the two nations, which nullifies the previous Colombian president's declaration to cancel the free trade agreement with Israel, further strengthening bilateral political and economic ties.