Colombia to restore relations with Israel and halt embassy plans in Palestine

Colombia’s incoming government is preparing to reverse one of the most significant foreign policy shifts of President Gustavo Petro’s administration by restoring full diplomatic relations with Israel, halting plans to open an embassy in Palestine, and advancing the relocation of Colombia’s embassy to occupied Jerusalem.

The changes, announced by President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, mark a dramatic departure from Petro’s pro-Palestinian foreign policy and signal Colombia’s return to its traditional alignment with Israel and the United States.

De la Espriella announced that his administration will suspend the opening of Colombia’s embassy in Palestine, arguing that the diplomatic mission “never actually became operational.” The decision forms part of a broader restructuring of Colombia’s foreign policy that includes closing several embassies and consulates while consolidating diplomatic missions abroad.

The embassy initiative had been launched under Petro following Colombia’s recognition of the State of Palestine and his government’s decision to establish a permanent diplomatic presence there.

Instead, De la Espriella said his government will open Colombia’s embassy to Israel in Jerusalem—a move that would reverse Petro’s diplomatic initiative and represent one of the most consequential changes in Colombia’s Middle East policy in decades.

VIDEO | President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella overhauls Colombian diplomacy, prioritizing Israel and the US

Colombia’s newly elected president, Abelardo de la Espriella, announced a drastic shift in foreign policy by suspending the mission in Palestine and opening an embassy… pic.twitter.com/vtOKDYNvX9

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) July 27, 2026

The incoming administration has already begun laying the groundwork for renewed relations with Israel. Colombia’s designated foreign minister, Omar Bola Escobar, met Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Washington, where both sides agreed to restore diplomatic relations once De la Espriella assumes office on August 7.

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According to the announced understandings, both governments plan to exchange ambassadors, restore full diplomatic relations, expand trade and security cooperation, work toward eliminating visa requirements between the two countries and advance plans to relocate Colombia’s embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem.

The measures would formally reverse Petro’s decision in May 2024 to sever diplomatic ties with Israel in protest over its military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

Bravo Colombia, set to become the 9th country to move its embassy to Jerusalem!

We applaud incoming Foreign Minister @Omarbula for announcing this bold step as well as a roadmap for the reestablishment of full diplomatic and economic relations with Israel.

Colombia has long…

— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) July 16, 2026

Speaking to MEMO, Latin America affairs expert Victorious Bayan Shams said that although economic and security cooperation remain important, they are secondary considerations. “The political dimension is the most important,” he said.

According to Shams, the policy reflects the broader resurgence of conservative governments across Latin America and Colombia’s return to its historical foreign policy orientation.

He noted that Colombia had maintained close relations with Israel throughout most of its modern history. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1957, and Colombia opened its embassy in Tel Aviv in 1963.

“Gustavo Petro was the exception in Colombia’s political history,” Shams said, arguing that the incoming government is restoring the country’s traditional alignment with both Washington and Israel.

He added that several right-wing governments in Latin America view strong support for Israel as a means of strengthening relations with the United States and securing American political backing.

Colombia’s President-Elect reverses Israel policy, moves embassy to Jerusalemhttps://t.co/U4QcGQyfmY

— Israel Hayom English (@IsraelHayomEng) July 27, 2026

Among the most controversial proposals is relocating Colombia’s embassy to occupied Jerusalem. Shams described the move as far more than an administrative diplomatic decision. “It is a political declaration,” he said.

He argued that relocating the embassy would signal complete political alignment with Israel while simultaneously sending a message to Washington that Colombia intends to strengthen strategic ties with the United States. The move would also reflect growing ideological affinity between Colombia’s political right and the current Israeli government.

Opening diplomatic missions in Jerusalem remains controversial internationally because UN Security Council Resolution 478 calls on states not to recognize Israeli measures altering the city’s status and urges countries to withdraw diplomatic missions from Jerusalem.

New: Vivian Aisen appointed ambassador to Colombia as Israel strengthens ties with Latin America. This move aligns with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s push to renew relations and deepen regional partnerships. https://t.co/Ad2vC57Hg4 pic.twitter.com/BmZS6XzKRj

— Drew Grimaldi (@Grimillionaire) July 26, 2026

Shams cautioned against characterizing Israel’s renewed engagement with Colombia as an effort to break complete diplomatic isolation in Latin America.

Israel has continued maintaining relations with several governments across the region despite the rise of left-wing administrations during recent years. Nevertheless, Colombia remains strategically important because of its political influence, military cooperation, and regional standing. Restoring Bogotá as a close regional partner therefore represents a significant diplomatic victory for Israel.

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For the Palestinian cause, however, Shams views Petro’s departure as a major setback. He argues that Petro consistently defended Palestinian rights without using the issue to distract from domestic political problems, giving his position greater credibility than that of many regional leaders.

Looking ahead, Shams believes the Palestinian cause in Colombia will increasingly depend on civil society, grassroots activism, and the political legacy Petro leaves behind. “The next Colombian government may be able to change official policy,” he said, “but it will not easily erase the transformation that has taken place in the awareness of broad sectors of Colombian society regarding the occupation and the suffering of the Palestinian people.”

Despite the expected diplomatic reversal, Shams believes Petro leaves behind a lasting political legacy. He argues that Petro fundamentally changed Colombian public perceptions of Palestine. Since the beginning of Israel’s war in Gaza, Colombia has witnessed repeated demonstrations outside the former Israeli embassy in Bogotá, alongside numerous solidarity events supporting Palestinians.

According to Shams, Petro helped expose wider segments of Colombian society to the humanitarian consequences of the conflict. “Petro opened the eyes of sectors of Colombian society to the suffering of the Palestinian people,” he said. He believes sympathy for Palestine has grown significantly in recent years and is no longer confined to small political movements but has become part of mainstream public debate.

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The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.