Prime Minister's OfficePolitics22:27

Netanyahu Celebrates Colombia's Jerusalem Embassy Opening, Cites Shared Values

Translated & summarized from Prime Minister's Office by baba

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu marked the opening of Colombia's embassy in Jerusalem, emphasizing shared values and a renewed friendship between the nations. He noted a historical lack of high-level Israeli engagement with Latin America, which he worked to change. Netanyahu contrasted the alliance with "barbarism" and highlighted shared interests in security and technology, alongside a common heritage.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the opening of Colombia's new embassy in Jerusalem.
Netanyahu stated that no prior Israeli prime minister had visited south of Texas until his tenure.
He noted a historical weakening of ties with Latin America, attributing it to new leadership and global trends.
The Prime Minister emphasized shared values, heritage, and future collaboration in technology and security with Colombia.
Netanyahu contrasted the alliance with "barbarism" and "death cults" in parts of the world.
He expressed a desire to visit Colombia again and praised its president for courage and foresight.

Netanyahu Celebrates Colombia's Jerusalem Embassy Opening, Cites Shared Values — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at a welcoming ceremony in the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem on the occasion of the inauguration of Colombia's embassy in the city. He highlighted the deep historical and shared values connecting Israel and Latin America, noting a significant shift in diplomatic relations.

Netanyahu recounted that prior to his tenure, no sitting Israeli prime minister had traveled south of Texas, a fact he found astonishing given the importance of Latin America. He and his wife, Sarah, subsequently visited Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico, fostering friendly relations. He also mentioned a trip to Brazil for President Jair Bolsonaro's inauguration and Sarah Netanyahu's leading a humanitarian mission to Guatemala in 2017 or 2018 following a volcanic eruption, which included establishing a neighborhood named 'New Jerusalem'.

The Prime Minister lamented that these connections had weakened, attributing this to new leadership in various Latin American countries who, in his words, "did not know Joseph," and a drift into a "global woke alliance." However, he expressed optimism about a resurgence of strong ties, emphasizing that the renewed friendship is based not only on mutual interests but also on shared values and a common Judeo-Christian heritage originating in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu stressed a shared vision for the future, focusing on collaboration in security, agriculture, water, and artificial intelligence, aiming to foster growth and hope. He contrasted this vision with a "death cult" and "barbarism" prevalent in parts of the world, positioning Israel and its allies, like Colombia, as champions of civilization and life.

He praised Colombian President Iván Duque Márquez for his courage and foresight, conveying warm regards and expressing a desire to visit Bogotá again with his wife. Netanyahu also acknowledged the support from the United States under President Donald Trump, noting that Colombia's embassy is the tenth in Jerusalem. He concluded by expressing Israel's commitment to its alliance with Colombia, emphasizing strength and faith as guiding principles, symbolized by a Merkava tank, an F-35, and a Bible displayed in his office.