Israel and Venezuela Restore Consular Relations After 17-Year Freeze

The Government of Israel and the Government of Venezuela agreed on Tuesday to renew consular relations and establish an official coordination channel, ending a diplomatic freeze that began in 2009. The agreement follows talks between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia.

The rapprochement followed a confidence-building process initiated after twin earthquakes on June 24 killed at least 5,000 people in Venezuela. Israel responded by deploying a humanitarian aid delegation to the region, which paved the way for the current diplomatic restoration.

Under the new agreement, both nations will provide consular services to their respective citizens and continue cooperating on emergency response and reconstruction efforts. Both governments acknowledged the Venezuelan Jewish community as a bridge of friendship between the two states.