Chile and Honduras Restore Ambassadors to Israel for First Time Since October 7 Conflict

Israeli President Isaac Herzog received the credentials of six new ambassadors on Monday, including representatives from Chile and Honduras, marking their return to Israel for the first time since the outbreak of the war nearly three years ago. The other ambassadors presenting their credentials were from Sri Lanka, Georgia, Nigeria, and Germany. The official ceremonies took place at the President's Residence, accompanied by the IDF orchestra playing each country's national anthem and a guard of honor inspection.

Following the formalities, President Herzog held individual meetings with each ambassador. During his discussion with Chilean Ambassador Gabriel Alejandro Zelaznik Shilkrut, Herzog addressed ongoing efforts by the Peace Council, referencing the horrific events of October 7 and the continuing challenges faced by Israel. He expressed hope that, with the Peace Council's initiatives under former U.S. President Donald Trump's leadership, including the UN Security Council's adoption of a 20-point plan, progress could be made toward disarming Hamas and advancing peace.

Herzog emphasized the importance of dismantling Hamas's military capabilities as a foundation for moving forward, potentially through the establishment of a technocratic government supported by the Peace Council and its director Nikolay Mladenov. This approach aims to bring renewed hope to both Gaza residents and the Israeli people, signaling a cautious but optimistic step toward dialogue and reconstruction after years of conflict.