Colombia opens Jerusalem embassy as UK mission is downgraded
publishers 60articles 89first reported 5 Oct, 13:05 UTCdeveloping since 5 Oct · 21 editions
Colombia inaugurated an embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, becoming the 10th country to place its diplomatic mission to Israel in the contested city. The ceremony was attended by Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
The move marks a reversal from former Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who severed diplomatic ties with Israel in 2024 over the war in Gaza. President Abelardo de la Espriella, sworn in in August, has restored relations and a free-trade agreement with Israel. Bula said the countries’ relationship “should never have been broken” and described Israel as a strategic partner.
The Palestinian Authority condemned the embassy opening as a violation of international resolutions, while Jordan said it violated international law. Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its capital, while Palestinians seek occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state. Most countries maintain their Israeli embassies in Tel Aviv pending a negotiated settlement over the city’s status.
Separately, Britain agreed to rebrand and reduce its longstanding consulate general in East Jerusalem after Israel sought its closure during a dispute over planned British restrictions on trade with West Bank settlements. Seven staff members will remain at an independent UK mission in Jerusalem, while others are moving to the British embassy in Tel Aviv. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the building would remain open, while Saar said the task force based there would have a limited scope.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 5 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 228 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 60
- Source articles
- 89
- Given to the writer
- 8, 5 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 228 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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