Story perspectives

Israeli FM Sa'ar Secures Ecuador Deal, Shifts Colombia Embassy

8/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar began a diplomatic tour on August 5 2026, marking the first Israeli foreign-minister visit to Ecuador in 44 years.
Sa'ar and Ecuador signed a memorandum on counterterrorism and expanding economic ties.
Sa'ar thanked Ecuador’s Jewish leaders for supporting Israel and discussed fighting antisemitism.
Israel and Colombia agreed to move Bogotá’s embassy to Jerusalem, exchange ambassadors and grant visa waivers, reversing the May 2024 severing of ties.

History

Historical Context

Israel opened its Quito embassy in December 1982, when a suitcase bomb killed two Ecuadorian police officers and wounded a civilian. The attack fit a wave of assaults on Israeli missions, from 1969 bombings in The Hague and Bonn to 1982 explosions in Paris and London. Sa'ar’s August 2026 visit renews ties by signing a security pact as Ecuador deepens cooperation with Israel.

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Story summary

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar began a diplomatic tour on August 5 2026, marking the first Israeli foreign-minister visit to Ecuador in 44 years.
Sa'ar and Ecuador signed a memorandum on counterterrorism and expanding economic ties.
Sa'ar thanked Ecuador’s Jewish leaders for supporting Israel and discussed fighting antisemitism.
Israel and Colombia agreed to move Bogotá’s embassy to Jerusalem, exchange ambassadors and grant visa waivers, reversing the May 2024 severing of ties.

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