Colombian President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella declared "Am Yisrael Chai, I am with you forever" in a statement Tuesday morning, according to a social media post. He reiterated his campaign pledge to move Colombia's embassy to Jerusalem and called for forming alliances across South America's pro-Israel rightward shift, while lamenting that Israel lacks a functioning foreign ministry to pursue such opportunities.
Colombian President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella greeted Israel with the Hebrew phrase "Am Yisrael Chai" on Tuesday morning, reiterating his campaign pledge to relocate Colombia's embassy to Jerusalem and expressing steadfast solidarity with the Jewish state. The statement, posted on social media, comes as de la Espriella prepares to assume office after defeating left-wing incumbent ally Iván Sepeda in the June 22 runoff with 49.66% of the vote.
De la Espriella also highlighted the broader rightward shift across South America, which he described as a wave of pro-Israel sentiment (excluding Brazil's current government), and called for forming alliances and accelerating cooperation. He criticized Israel's lack of a functioning foreign ministry, saying that had one existed, it would have already pursued such diplomatic openings.
The president-elect previously pledged during his campaign to open an embassy in Jerusalem and has received congratulations from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, who invited him to visit Israel. The incoming administration is viewed by Jerusalem as a strategic shift from the tenure of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, who severed diplomatic ties with Israel. No timeline for the embassy move has been announced.
- StrongIsrael's Foreign Ministry hails Colombia's de la Espriella win as 'strategic shift'
- DevelopingFM Sa'ar congratulates Colombia's de la Espriella on presidential win
- DevelopingDiaspora Minister Shikli releases video of months-old meeting with Colombia's president-elect de la Espriella
- DevelopingColombia president-elect de la Espriella vows no ties with nations disrespecting democracy
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