Why Venezuela is moving closer to Israel but stopping short of full ties
Israel and Venezuela have practical and strategic reasons for advancing their relations after years of hostility, but establishing full ties faces challenges.
TEL AVIV/WASHINGTON — Israel and Venezuela decided on Tuesday to resume ad hoc consular ties, a sign of improving diplomatic relations after former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez severed them in 2009. Yet Israeli diplomatic sources stressed that the two countries are not yet on a path toward resuming full relations.
The two countries said in a joint statement Tuesday that relations between Israel and Venezuela’s Jewish community constitute an “important historic bridge of friendship between the two countries,” adding that they will “continue their bilateral technical cooperation stemming from the emergency response and reconstruction efforts following the double earthquake” in June.
Up and down
Venezuela recognized Israel shortly after the establishment of the Jewish state in 1948. Bilateral ties deepened over the following decades, culminating in a 1995 visit to Caracas by then-Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres that reflected the two countries' extensive diplomatic, commercial and cultural relationship.
