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Israel, Venezuela Restore Consular Ties After 17-Year Freeze

8/12/2026

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Israel, Venezuela Reconnect

Israel and Venezuela announced the renewal of consular relations on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
The pact ends a freeze in 2009 after Venezuela cut ties following Israel’s Gaza offensive.
Foreign Ministers Gideon Sa’ar and Félix Plasencia negotiated the agreement.
An Israeli delegation, including the MFA and IDF Command, gave aid after the June 24 earthquakes.
Venezuelan Jewish leaders said the renewal brings hope and practical relief for their community.

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Israel-Venezuela Renew

Israel and Venezuela announced the renewal of consular relations on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez shifted Venezuela’s foreign policy toward the United States after the January U.S. operation that captured former President Nicolás Maduro.
The pact creates a coordination mechanism to provide consular services for each country’s citizens.
Both governments said the agreement will preserve technical cooperation stemming from the earthquake relief effort.

History

Historical Context

Venezuela first recognized Israel in 1949, but under Hugo Chávez the two nations clashed over the 2006 Lebanon War and the 2008-09 Gaza conflict, leading Chávez to cut diplomatic ties in January 2009. After a 17-year freeze, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Venezuelan counterpart Félix Plasencia restored consular relations in August 2026, following Israel’s June earthquake-relief mission.

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Israel, Venezuela Reconnect

Israel and Venezuela announced the renewal of consular relations on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
The pact ends a freeze in 2009 after Venezuela cut ties following Israel’s Gaza offensive.
Foreign Ministers Gideon Sa’ar and Félix Plasencia negotiated the agreement.
An Israeli delegation, including the MFA and IDF Command, gave aid after the June 24 earthquakes.
Venezuelan Jewish leaders said the renewal brings hope and practical relief for their community.

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