Israeli Politicsupdated 1h ago2 min read
Colombia Inaugurates Embassy in Jerusalem, With Gideon Saar Welcoming the Move
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Colombia inaugurated its embassy in Jerusalem, becoming the tenth country to establish a mission there. October 14, 2026, Omar Bula Escobar and Gideon Saar attended in West Jerusalem.
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Colombia opens in Jerusalem
Colombia inaugurated its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, October 14, joining a small group of countries that establish diplomatic representation to Israeli authorities in the city whose status as Israel’s capital is not recognized by the international community.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed the move during the ceremony, saying, "This is an important date for the State of Israel. It’s also an important date for the city of Jerusalem," while signing the Colombian embassy’s guest book.
Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Omar Bula Escobar said, "Israel is a strategic partner. It always has been, and from now on, it will be an even stronger one," as the inauguration marked Colombia as the tenth country to open an embassy in Jerusalem.
Jerusalem mayor Moshe Lion attended the ceremony, and he said the opening made Colombia the tenth country to move its embassy to West Jerusalem, according to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Palestinian and Saudi backlash
The Palestinian Authority condemned Colombia’s embassy move, calling it "a violation of international law and relevant international resolutions" and describing it as "an attack on the Palestinian people and on its just and legitimate national rights." Saudi Arabia also denounced the opening, saying it was a "flagrant violation of International Law and of the relevant legitimate international resolutions" because it amounts to explicit recognition of Israeli sovereignty over occupied territory.
The Palestinian Authority’s foreign ministry described the embassy opening as a violation in a statement carried by Wafa, and it said the move was "null and void and have no legal effect," according to Middle East Eye. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said its condemnation and revulsion followed Colombia’s relocation of its embassy from Tel Aviv, and it urged the international community, including the Security Council, to take immediate measures to stop Israel’s illegal policies.
Diplomatic reversal and next steps
The inauguration followed Colombia’s restoration of diplomatic relations with Israel in August 2026 after President Abelardo de la Espriella restored ties that had been broken in May 2024 under Gustavo Petro. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the Colombian embassy was the tenth to open its doors in Jerusalem and added, "The eleventh, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is already on its way," while also saying he knew what the twelfth would be but could not reveal it.
“The eleventh, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is already on its way.”
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella’s government restored a free trade agreement between Israel and Colombia that Petro had terminated, and the ceremony included Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Saar and Colombian counterpart Omar Bula Escobar. The DW report placed the new Embassy of the Republic of Colombia in Jerusalem on Rabi Akiva Street in the city’s downtown on the western side, as the event was framed as a decisive step to strengthen ties between the two peoples.