Israeli radio host Yotam Zemer opened his Galei Tzahal show Monday evening with a message to U.S. Vice President JD Vance, asserting that Israel's allies include Colombian President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, whom he referred to as president. Zemer was responding to Vance's earlier remarks that Israel had no friends in the world.
Israeli broadcaster Yotam Zemer, host of a daily program on the Israel Defense Forces radio network Galei Tzahal, used his opening remarks Monday evening to counter U.S. Vice President JD Vance's recent assertion that Israel lacks friends on the global stage. Zemer specifically cited Colombian President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella as a friend of Israel, referring to him as 'president.'
De la Espriella’s status as president-elect — he won the May 2026 election and is set to take office — was previously reported by The Zioneer. Earlier Monday, Diaspora Minister Amichai Shikli posted video of a months-old meeting with de la Espriella in Colombia, in which the then-candidate told the local Jewish community 'Am Yisrael Chai.'
Zemer's statement is a single-source broadcast remark, and de la Espriella's official title is president-elect, not the current head of state (Gustavo Petro is the sitting president).
- DevelopingIsrael's UN envoy Leiter: 'We have many friends beyond the US' — lists India, UAE, Azerbaijan, Armenia
- StrongColombia President de la Espriella reinforces pledge for 'stronger than ever' Israel ties
- DevelopingDiaspora Minister Shikli releases video of months-old meeting with Colombia's president-elect de la Espriella
- DevelopingSa'ar: Colombian President Proved His Leadership and Commitment to Israel
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