Israel and Venezuela agreed to renew consular relations and establish an official coordination channel after 17 years without diplomatic ties, the countries said in a joint announcement on Tuesday.
The move creates an official coordination channel between Israel and Venezuela, which have not maintained diplomatic relations since 2009.
The agreement followed talks held in recent weeks between Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia.
During the talks, the two sides agreed to establish a coordination mechanism that will enable consular services to be provided to citizens of both countries.
The statement also emphasized the importance of ties between the State of Israel and Venezuela’s Jewish community, which the community celebrated.
“After 17 years without consular relations, Venezuela and Israel are advancing in a confidence-building process that began with the various Israeli and Jewish organizations that came to Venezuela on the occasion of the double earthquake that struck the country on June 24, and which on that occasion provided great technical and humanitarian aid in the face of the tragedy and devastation,” National Coordinator of the Confederation of Jewish Associations of Venezuela, Dr. Miguel Truzman wrote in a statement.
“Today, a new era begins, taking a first step in the Consular area, as technical support in the areas required, and in the near future, diplomatic relations between both nations will be fully restored.”
Jewish residents of Venezuela said that they were excited for a return to normal relations between the two countries.
“This is news that fills us with hope and joy and marks a significant step toward rapprochement and a return to normalcy for many people who have waited years for practical solutions,” A., a Jewish resident of Caracas, told Walla.
He added that “the renewal of the consular coordination mechanism between Venezuela and Israel is not merely a diplomatic matter.
“First and foremost, it provides much-needed relief for families and citizens by facilitating procedures and administrative matters, and by building a bridge of understanding and human assistance where there had previously been distance,” he added.
“I warmly welcome this rapprochement, which offers an opportunity to renew ties, resolve everyday issues, and look to the future with a renewed commitment to cooperation and mutual respect,” he said. “Bravo to Minister Félix Ramón Plasencia González, and bravo to AIV Chief Rabbi Isaac Cohen.”
Israel and Venezuela agree to continue coordination after massive earthquake
Additionally, following the earthquake and the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, the pair also agreed to continue cooperating on emergency response and recovery efforts. An Israeli delegation was deployed there in June and has since helped tens of thousands of Venezuelans return to their homes.
The Venezuelan government’s receipt of Israeli assistance contrasts with the complete cut-off in relations between the countries dating back to 2009.
In the aftermath, officials estimated that at least 5,000 people died.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.
