Jerusalem, 14 October, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Colombia inaugurated its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, becoming the 10th country to maintain an embassy in Israel’s capital, as the two countries work to restore diplomatic relations.
The other nine are the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Paraguay, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Nauru and Somaliland.
The ceremony was attended by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar, who is visiting Israel. During the event, officials unveiled the embassy sign, and Sa’ar affixed a mezuzah, a small parchment scroll inscribed with Torah verses placed inside a decorative case and affixed to the doorpost.
Sa’ar said the opening marked progress in Israel’s diplomatic efforts, noting that the number of foreign embassies in Jerusalem had doubled since he took office.
“This is the tenth embassy to open in Jerusalem. When I assumed office less than two years ago, there were only five,” Sa’ar said.
Sa’ar also said Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella had pledged before his election to move the country’s embassy to Jerusalem.
“Establishing the embassy in Jerusalem is not merely a recognition of the simple political fact that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel,” Sa’ar said, adding that it also acknowledges what he described as a historical truth.
Bula Escobar said the inauguration marked a step toward rebuilding ties between the countries.
“Today, we are taking a tangible step toward renewing diplomatic relations between us—relations that should never have been severed,” he said.
“Israel is a strategic partner—it always has been, and from now on, it will be even more so,” he added.
On Tuesday, Israel and Colombia reinstated their free trade agreement.
Colombia exported $272.9 million in goods to Israel in 2024, down 45.3% from $499.2 million in 2023, while its imports from Israel rose 7% to $102 million, according to Colombia’s National Association of Foreign Trade (Analdex). The bilateral free trade agreement entered into force in 2020.
In 2025, Colombian President Gustavo Petro terminated the free trade agreement in response to Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.
