Netanyahu speaks with commander of delegation to Venezuela: 'You are restoring the ruins and the relations'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the commander of an Israeli delegation to Venezuela, telling the team they are 'restoring the ruins and also the relations,' according to a statement from his office.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Thursday with the commander of the Israeli delegation in Venezuela, telling the team they are 'restoring the ruins and also the relations,' according to a statement from his office. The call came as a second IDF delegation arrived in the country Thursday to join the extended humanitarian mission.

The Israeli mission began following the devastating earthquake in Venezuela. On Wednesday, July 8, the delegation met with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, then with the President of Venezuela, according to reports from Channel 12 and i24NEWS. Later that day, the delegation presented a national rehabilitation plan that was approved by the Venezuelan president, the IDF and Foreign Ministry announced. The mission was subsequently extended by two weeks, with a second IDF team en route, following a request from the vice president to Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar.

The humanitarian mission marks a rare instance of direct Israeli engagement with Venezuela, which has not had formal diplomatic relations with Israel since 2009. The Zioneer has reported on the delegation's activities, including structural assessments by Home Front Command engineering teams.

The specific composition of the delegation and the full scope of its work remain unclear. Netanyahu's remark about 'restoring ruins' suggests reconstruction efforts, but no official details have been released on the nature of the humanitarian or diplomatic activities.

4 developments

1. 1 hour ago · 17:36 · 9 JulLatest

   Netanyahu praised the delegation for restoring ruins and diplomatic relations.

2. 14:37 · 9 Jul

   Mission extended by two weeks; second IDF delegation arriving Thursday.

3. 13:29 · 9 Jul

   Venezuelan president approves the Israeli delegation's national rehabilitation plan.

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