Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the announcement.
“It is a setback for the global woke movement,” he said, referring to left-wing leaders in Latin America who have criticized Israel.
Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula called the opening a diplomatic breakthrough:
“The embassy is a clear expression of our determination to resume dialogue, strengthen mutual trust, and build on an agenda that is beneficial to our citizens,” he said.
The opening comes just two months after conservative Abelardo de la Espriella took office as Colombia’s president, with the support of US President Donald Trump, who made improving relations with Israel a top priority.
His predecessor, Gustavo Petro, criticized Israel several times over the war in Gaza and accused the country’s leadership of genocide.
Petro later announced plans to open an embassy in the Palestinian city of Ramallah in the West Bank, but the plan never materialized.
The opening of embassies in Jerusalem is considered controversial by many because both Israelis and Palestinians want the city to be their capital.
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