Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday congratulated Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz on the renewal of diplomatic relations between the two countries, according to Netanyahu’s office.
During a telephone conversation, “The two leaders agreed on the need to promote cooperation in various fields, with an emphasis on security, and to restore the vibrant tourism of many Israeli travelers to Bolivia’s natural landscapes and rich cultures,” according to the readout. “The Prime Minister invited the President of Bolivia to visit Israel, and the President said he looks forward to this visit soon and to a strong friendship between the two nations.”
The conversation came a day after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and his Bolivian counterpart Fernando Aramayo signed a Joint Communiqué on renewing diplomatic relations between the two countries at a ceremony in Washington. Bolivia’s Finance Minister José Gabriel Espinoza also participated in the event.
“I just had a warm and moving meeting with Bolivia’s Foreign Minister, Fernando Aramayo. I’m also glad to welcome Minister of Finance and Economy José Gabriel Espinoza. Thank you for participating. And I also learned a little bit about your planned economic reforms, which will hopefully, and this is our hope too, put Bolivia on the right path,” Sa’ar said in a speech at the signing ceremony, according to Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
“Israel and Bolivia share a longstanding friendship. But since 2009—except for a brief period in 2020—Israel and Bolivia have had no diplomatic relations. Today, we are ending the long, unnecessary chapter of separation between our two nations,” Jerusalem’s top diplomat continued.
“Following the election of President Rodrigo Paz, I am pleased to announce that Israel and Bolivia are renewing diplomatic relations,” he said.
Sa’ar said the joint communiqué signed with Bolivia lays out a framework for restoring full diplomatic relations, including the appointment of ambassadors and regular government exchanges. The two countries committed their foreign ministries to continued dialogue on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues, said Sa’ar, and agreed to cooperate in areas such as agriculture through Israel’s development agency Mashav, as well as in security, water management, health and the fight against organized crime and narco-terrorism.
The agreement ends a two-year diplomatic freeze that began when the previous government, led by the Socialist Mas Party, severed ties with Israel in the wake of Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 massacre, announcing the move on Nov. 1 of that year. Chile, Colombia and Honduras soon all followed suit, recalling their ambassadors from Israel and downgrading official representation.
Sa’ar spoke with Bolivia’s center-right president the day after his election in October, marking one of the new leader’s first diplomatic calls. During that conversation, Sa’ar conveyed Israel’s desire to open a new chapter in relations, while Paz expressed his intention to lead Bolivia toward greater international engagement and reestablish ties with Israel, according to the ministry statement.
In November, Eden Bar-Tal, director-general of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, represented the country at Paz’s inauguration in Bolivia.
Earlier this month, Bolivia lifted visa requirements for Israeli travelers, following weeks of negotiations between the two foreign ministries to finalize the agreement text and joint statement.
