World News

Colombia opens embassy in Jerusalem, restoring ties with Israel

The move reverses Gustavo Petro's 2024 break with Israel; Palestinian officials and Jordan's Foreign Ministry condemned it.

Updated Oct 14, 2026 · 22:13 UTC2 reports

The short version

Colombia opened its embassy to Israel in Jerusalem on Wednesday, under President Abelardo de la Espriella.[Associated Press · Al Jazeera]
The move reverses the 2024 severing of ties by former President Gustavo Petro over the war in Gaza.[Al Jazeera]
Palestinian officials and Jordan's Foreign Ministry condemned the move, while Israel's foreign minister welcomed it.[Al Jazeera]
Colombia is the 10th country to place its embassy in Jerusalem; most countries keep missions in Tel Aviv.[Al Jazeera]

Colombia opened its embassy to Israel in Jerusalem on Wednesday.[Associated Press · Al Jazeera]
The administration of President Abelardo de la Espriella restored ties with Israel that were severed in 2024 under former President Gustavo Petro.[Associated Press · Al Jazeera]
Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar said relations should never have been broken.[Al Jazeera]
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed the move during the ceremony.[Al Jazeera]
The Palestinian Authority called the move a violation of international legitimacy resolutions.[Al Jazeera]
Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticised the move as a violation of international law.[Al Jazeera]
Colombia is the 10th country to establish its embassy in Jerusalem, and most countries keep their formal missions in Tel Aviv.[Al Jazeera]

Al Jazeera characterizes the move as contentious because it backs Israel's sovereignty claim over a contested city, so Jerusalem's status remains unresolved.[Al Jazeera]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.