The Colombian authorities have officially inaugurated their country's embassy to Israel in Jerusalem, joining a small group of nations that back Israeli sovereignty over the contested city. The controversial relocation comes amidst intense international scrutiny and ongoing geopolitical friction in the Middle East.

This significant policy shift was orchestrated by the administration of newly sworn-in Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella. The move sharply diverges from the stance of his left-wing predecessor, Gustavo Petro, who had severed diplomatic ties with Israel in 2024. De la Espriella, who assumed office in August, has also reportedly restored a bilateral free trade agreement previously terminated by the former leader.

Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Omar Bula Escobar claimed during the opening ceremony that relations between Bogota and Israel allegedly "should never have been broken." Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar enthusiastically welcomed the inauguration, which makes Colombia the tenth country to establish its diplomatic mission in Jerusalem rather than Tel Aviv, where most international embassies remain.

The move has predictably drawn sharp international backlash, with the Palestinian Authority and Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemning the action as a direct violation of international law and United Nations resolutions. Observers note that the final status of Jerusalem remains one of the core unresolved pillars of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, making such unilateral decisions a source of continued instability.

Source: www.aljazeera.com