Colombia to Open Embassy in Jerusalem
The Facts
- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced at the Jerusalem Post's Diplomatic Conference on Thursday that Colombia will open its embassy in Jerusalem next week, 46 years after moving its diplomatic mission to Tel Aviv under a U.N. resolution.
- Colombia's top diplomat, Omar Bula, will attend the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, sources from both countries said this week. A spokesman for Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that Bula is due to depart for Israel on Sunday.
- Colombia will become the 10th country with an embassy in Jerusalem, joining the U.S., Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Fiji, Nauru and Somaliland, which recognize Israel as an independent nation. Most states holding diplomatic relations with Israel keep embassies in Tel Aviv.
Sources Split
LEFT
CENTER
RIGHT
+2
+1
+1
+1
ESTAB
CRIT
CENTER
PRO
ESTAB
The Spin
Government-critical narrative
De la Esprieilla is stripping Colombia of its independent voice on the world stage by tying the country's foreign policy to whatever Washington wants. Joining the tiny club of governments that plant embassies in Jerusalem buys nothing but reputational damage and further friction with Arab partners, especially as Bogotá has already walked away from the ICJ genocide case and recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
Pro-government narrative
Rebuilding the alliance with Israel is a top priority, as this partnership restores the weapons, intelligence and technology Colombia's security forces need to beat the cartels. Pairing that with a closer partnership with Washington restores the country's credibility, and credible partners attract capital and jobs. Four years of ideological grandstanding left Colombia isolated and strapped for cash, with nothing to show for it.
