Israel and Venezuela Restore Consular Ties After Years of Diplomatic Estrangement

Following talks that have continued in recent weeks, Israel and Venezuela announced Tuesday evening that they are restoring consular relations. The understandings were reached after discussions between Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Venezuela's foreign minister, Félix Plasencia, and mark a significant step in relations between the countries, which have not maintained diplomatic ties since 2009.

Under the agreement, the countries decided to establish a coordination mechanism that will enable consular services for Israeli and Venezuelan citizens. This will create an official channel of coordination between the two countries, even though full diplomatic relations have not yet been restored.

Alongside the consular agreement, the sides agreed to continue cooperating as part of emergency and recovery efforts following the earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24. As previously reported, after the disaster Israel sent an aid delegation led by the Foreign Ministry and the Home Front Command. Members of the delegation provided professional assistance to local forces working at the destruction sites and helped with the country's emergency and recovery efforts.

In the joint statement issued by the two countries announcing the renewal of consular relations, they emphasized that the decision followed the Israeli humanitarian delegation's visit to the disaster sites. The statement also said that the sides see importance in continuing the cooperation that emerged from Israel's aid efforts. Last night, new figures released by Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela's National Assembly, showed that the death toll from the two deadly earthquakes had risen to 6,301 people.

The joint statement also emphasized the importance of the connection between the State of Israel and Venezuela's Jewish community. Alongside the practical agreements, the countries noted that they view the Jewish community as a significant factor in their relationship.