Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar called right-wing President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella to congratulate him on his victory in Colombia's presidential election, according to the Foreign Ministry. De la Espriella pledged during the campaign to open an embassy in Jerusalem.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar spoke by phone with Colombia's president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella on Monday evening, congratulating him on his narrow victory in the presidential runoffs. The Foreign Ministry described the conversation as warm and said Sa'ar underscored Israel's interest in deepening bilateral ties.
De la Espriella, a 47-year-old conservative lawyer and political outsider who campaigned on a platform of pro-Israel policy, has pledged to open Colombia's embassy in Jerusalem and restore diplomatic relations that were effectively severed under outgoing left-wing President Gustavo Petro. De la Espriella's win is seen in Jerusalem as a strategic shift in Latin America.
The Zioneer has reported extensively on the election and its aftermath, including Sa'ar's earlier statement on Monday morning hailing the result as a "strategic shift," de la Espriella's formal declaration as president-elect with 49.66% of the vote, and his subsequent vow to align Colombia only with democracies. Israel's Diaspora Minister Amichai Shikli also released footage of a pre-election meeting with de la Espriella. Petro has refused to concede, alleging Israeli interference.
The call is the latest in a series of Israeli gestures to the incoming administration. No date for a visit to Israel by de la Espriella has yet been set.
- StrongIsrael's Foreign Ministry hails Colombia's de la Espriella win as 'strategic shift'
- DevelopingDiaspora Minister Shikli releases video of months-old meeting with Colombia's president-elect de la Espriella
- DevelopingFormer Colombian President Gaviria endorses de la Espriella, voices trust he will uphold the 1991 constitution
- StrongDe la Espriella declared Colombia president-elect with 49.66% after 99.99% count
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