Colombia opens embassy to Israel in Jerusalem

Colombia officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, joining a small but growing list of countries in taking the symbolic step of backing Israeli sovereignty in the contested holy city, while the vast majority of countries keep their embassies to Israel in Tel Aviv.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Israel's gains in Latin America as Colombia became the latest of a small number of countries to open an embassy in Jerusalem. Netanyahu said that Latin America was proving to be a growing asset for Israel, which has faced an intense international backlash over the war in Gaza, including from traditional Western allies.

Colombia in August inaugurated president, Abelardo de la Espriella, who quickly fulfilled promises to move the embassy to Jerusalem.