Israel to renew diplomatic ties with Bolivia after break at start of Gaza War in 2023

Israel will announce the renewal of diplomatic relations with Bolivia, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said on Monday evening.

According to Sa’ar, in the country’s recent elections Bolivia underwent a “political shift” that made it possible to renew the ties.

“I spoke with the new president the day after he was elected. Before him there was a very left-wing government, closely connected to Iran and other problematic actors, which among other things cut off relations with the State of Israel. Tomorrow I will meet their foreign minister and we will sign the renewal of relations,” he said.

In last October’s elections, Rodrigo Paz Pereira, a center-right candidate, won after receiving about 54.5% of the votes in the second round against Jorge Quiroga.

For the first time in 20 years, a left-wing candidate from the “Movement for Socialism” party of former president Evo Morales did not stand for election in the decisive round.

Diplomatic relations between Israel and Bolivia began in the 1950s, but were severed many times due to Bolivia’s opposition to Israeli military operations. Most recently, ties were cut with the outbreak of the Gaza war, after having been renewed in 2019.

“I see the beginning of a shift in Latin America. There is a trend of change and it is very important for the United States, but also for Israel, because those who are friends of the United States are usually also friends of Israel,” Sa’ar added.

“We will invest great efforts in consolidating and deepening our relations in South America. I will also add that the minister of commerce and foreign affairs of Costa Rica is currently in Jerusalem to sign a free trade agreement. They will open an innovation office with diplomatic status in Jerusalem. Ecuador has done the same. Argentina will establish an embassy in Israel this coming spring. Paraguay did so a year ago. ”

“There is significant progress in various areas, and we will continue in this direction.”