Israel and Venezuela restore ties after 17-year break
The two countries praised Venezuela’s Jewish community as a historic link after years without diplomatic relations
Israel and Venezuela have restored consular relations for the first time since 2009, after 17 years without diplomatic ties.
The agreement means Israelis and Venezuelans will once again be able to receive consular help through a new system agreed by both governments.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and his Venezuelan counterpart Félix Plasencia reached the deal following talks in recent weeks.
In a joint statement, the two governments highlighted the role of Venezuela’s Jewish community in maintaining links between the countries.
“Both governments recognise the importance of the relationship between the State of Israel and the Jewish community in Venezuela, which constitutes an important historic bridge of friendship between the two countries,” they said.
Relations have improved significantly since January, when the leader of the South American country, Nicholas Maduro, was captured by US special forces in an operation in Caracas and extradited to the United States to stand trial. Since then, the regime has adopted a far more positive approach both to America and its allies. Venezuela accepted Israel’s offer of an aid team following two deadly earthquakes in June, with the Israeli delegation helping local authorities with emergency and recovery work after the disaster.
The countries said they would “continue their bilateral technical cooperation stemming from the emergency response and reconstruction efforts following the double earthquake”.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month that the Israeli mission was also helping repair relations between the countries.
“You are rebuilding ruins, and you are also rebuilding relations. You are showing the people of Venezuela, as well as the Venezuelan government, the true face of the State of Israel,” he told the delegation.
Venezuela cut diplomatic ties with Israel under former president Hugo Chávez in 2009, amid tensions over an Israeli military operation in Gaza.
Relations began to change after Delcy Rodríguez took power following the removal of Maduro.
Sa’ar said at the time that Israel hoped the change would lead to renewed relations between Jerusalem and Caracas.
“Israel welcomes the removal of the dictator who led a network of drugs and terror and hopes for the return of democracy to the country and for friendly relations between the states,” he said.
The new agreement does not yet mean the two countries have fully restored diplomatic relations, but it is their biggest step towards rebuilding ties in 17 years.