Colombia opens embassy in Jerusalem and restores free trade with Israel

Colombia has officially opened an embassy in Jerusalem, becoming the tenth nation to establish a diplomatic mission in the city. The move follows the inauguration of President Abelardo de la Espriella in August, who has moved to reverse the policies of his predecessor, Gustavo Petro. Alongside the opening of the embassy, the Colombian government has reinstated a free trade agreement with Israel that had been previously terminated.

The diplomatic shift marks a significant departure from the stance held by the former administration. In May 2024, Gustavo Petro had severed diplomatic relations with Israel, citing the country's military actions in Gaza and directing sharp criticism toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During that period, the Colombian embassy in Tel Aviv was closed and the ambassador was recalled, a decision that the Israeli government characterized as antisemitic and a concession to Hamas.

The status of Jerusalem remains a central and highly sensitive point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While Israel considers the city its capital, Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state. Consequently, the majority of countries maintain their embassies to Israel in Tel Aviv.

Following the opening of the mission in West Jerusalem, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described the development as a recognition of the city as Israel's capital and a historical truth. He stated that the action represents a concrete step toward the restoration of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

President de la Espriella, who assumed office in August, has prioritized the restoration of these bilateral relations. The reinstatement of the free trade agreement, which took effect on Tuesday, serves as a key component of this policy pivot. The move signals a return to the diplomatic and economic cooperation that existed prior to the rupture in relations earlier this year.