In a policy shift that has sparked global controversy, Colombia formally opened its new diplomatic embassy in West Jerusalem on Wednesday, a move spearheaded by the country’s newly inaugurated pro-Israeli president Abelardo de la Espriella.
The high-profile inauguration ceremony drew senior diplomatic leaders from both nations: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar were both in attendance to mark the landmark diplomatic change. For Israeli leadership, the move represents a key step in broader efforts to end the country’s period of increasing international isolation, building on a string of recent diplomatic gains.
In remarks following the inauguration, Sa’ar highlighted how quickly bilateral ties have shifted since the new Colombian administration took power. He noted that within just two months of Espriella’s presidency, nearly all of the negative impacts on Israel-Colombia relations that stemmed from the prior Gustavo Petro administration have been reversed. Sa’ar added that the two sides have even moved beyond restoring relations to break new diplomatic ground, extending public gratitude to President Espriella for his unwavering commitment to lifting bilateral ties to their highest level in history.
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