ISLAMABAD, 14 October, 2026 (Ghufran): Colombia has opened its embassy in Jerusalem, becoming the 10th country to establish a diplomatic mission in the city, while restoring a free trade agreement with Israel as part of a major shift in bilateral relations under President Abelardo de la Espriella. The move reverses the policy of former Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who severed diplomatic relations with Israel in May 2024 over its military actions in Gaza and strongly criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Petro had also closed Colombia’s embassy in Tel Aviv and recalled the country’s ambassador. Israel had condemned the decision at the time. Colombia’s new president, a right-wing leader who took office in August, has moved to rebuild diplomatic and economic ties with Israel. Speaking at the embassy opening ceremony, Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar said the step marked a concrete move towards restoring relations between the two countries, describing Israel as a strategic partner. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed the development, saying the opening of an embassy in Jerusalem recognised Israel’s claim to the city as its capital and its historical significance. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Saar and Escobar would hold bilateral talks on Wednesday to discuss relations and cooperation. Most countries maintain their embassies to Israel in Tel Aviv, while Jerusalem’s status remains one of the most contentious issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel considers Jerusalem its capital, whereas Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state. Several countries have relocated their embassies to Jerusalem since the United States moved its embassy there in 2018, including Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay and Somaliland.