Full Breakdown
Gideon Sa’ar’s Diplomatic Drive to Cement Jerusalem’s International Status
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Accelerating Embassy Relocations to Jerusalem
Since taking office less than two years ago, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has made moving foreign embassies to Jerusalem a measurable goal. He announced that Colombia is expected next month to become the 10th country to operate an embassy in the city, and that an understanding has been reached with the Democratic Republic of the Congo to open an embassy at an unspecified future date. Sa’ar frames each relocation as a “battle over competing narratives” that strengthens Israel’s diplomatic standing.
Background & Context
The push follows a broader Israeli effort to counter international criticism of its policies in the West Bank and Gaza. Sa’ar argues that diplomatic recognition of Jerusalem is a national-security issue. He notes that when he assumed the foreign-ministry portfolio, Jerusalem hosted roughly half the number of foreign embassies it has today, a growth he attributes to proactive outreach.
Key Figures & Groups
- Gideon Sa’ar – Foreign Minister of Israel, architect of the embassy-relocation campaign.
- Abelardo de la Espriella – President-elect of Colombia, engaged by Sa’ar before the election.
- Herbert Kickl – Leader of Austria’s Freedom Party, whose recent speech Sa’ar cited as a basis for dialogue.
Timeline
- September 8 2026 – Sa’ar holds a press conference in Jerusalem, emphasizing the “broader war” over Israel’s international image.
- Next month – Colombia is slated to open its embassy in Jerusalem, marking the 10th such move.
- Earlier in the two-year tenure – The ministry’s budget was increased, five new Israeli diplomatic missions were established, and public-diplomacy resources were expanded.
Data & Statistics
- Embassy count: Jerusalem’s foreign embassies have roughly doubled since Sa’ar took office.
- 10th country: Colombia’s pending move will make it the tenth nation to locate an embassy in Jerusalem.
- Mission expansion: Five new Israeli diplomatic missions were created during Sa’ar’s term.
Official Statements & Responses
Sa’ar stresses that diplomacy is a “narrative-against-narrative” contest. Citing talks with the United Kingdom’s Labour government, he described relations as at an “unprecedented low” and defended Israel’s closure of the British Consulate in east Jerusalem as a response to “unilateral, pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel” actions.
Regarding Iran, Sa’ar rejected claims that Tehran has become diplomatically stronger, noting that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been designated a terrorist organization by numerous states and that Iran’s regional activities have drawn condemnation. He reiterated Israel’s “highest commitment” to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Sa’ar also highlighted Latin America as a strategic frontier, dubbing the current year the “Year of Latin America.” He pointed to the rapid shift in Colombia’s stance—from strained ties under former President Gustavo Petro to a planned embassy move under de la Espriella—as evidence that early relationship-building pays off. In Europe, he praised Kickl’s speech for its acknowledgment of Austria’s Nazi past and expressed willingness to open dialogue, while stressing that dialogue does not equal formal normalization.
What’s Next
- Colombia’s embassy inauguration in Jerusalem is expected next month, potentially encouraging additional nations to follow.
- Israel plans to deepen dialogue with Austria’s Freedom Party and explore further engagements in Latin America under the “Year of Latin America” banner.
- Sa’ar indicated that any future change in the UK government could lead to a reassessment of the current diplomatic restrictions on British officials.