Israel-Colombia relations

In this September 26, 2018, file photo, Colombia's President Ivan Duque addresses the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, at UN headquarters. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

December 30, 2018, 2:53 pm

Israel said helping protect Colombia leader as possible plot to kill him exposed

Sources tell Reuters that Israel working alongside US, UK after authorities say Ivan Duque assassination plans have been in the works for months; 3 Venezuelans arrested

By Agencies and TOI staff

Israeli suspects held on suspicion of involvement of involvement in Colombian child sex trafficking ring (Screen grab via Twitter of Colombia's attorney general)

December 10, 2018, 10:30 am

14 Israelis suspected of running child sex trafficking ring in Colombia

Network allegedly marketed trips from Israel for tourists to have sex with minors who were forced into prostitution; 6 Israelis held, arrest warrants issued for other suspects

By TOI staff

October 26, 2018, 12:28 pm

Israeli sailor said to be indicted in Colombia for smuggling 234 kgs of cocaine

Lawyer for Roy Erez believes the courts will conclude his client was deceived by criminals

By TOI staff

Colombia's outgoing president Juan Manuel Santos, center, welcoming newly sworn-in President Ivan Duque at the presidential palace, after his inauguration ceremony in Bogota, Colombia, August 7, 2018. (Colombia's presidential press office/ via AP)

September 3, 2018, 10:01 pm

New Colombian president: Palestine recognition ‘irreversible’

Ivan Duque says he would have liked more discussion of the matter, but won’t overturn predecessor’s lame-duck decision

By Raphael Ahren

August 26, 2018, 1:32 pm

Israeli sailor held in Colombia accused of smuggling 234 kilograms of cocaine

Israel’s consul speaks to Roy Erez, who claims he was forced by pirates to transport a man he didn’t know on board his ship

By Michael Bachner

August 22, 2018, 3:58 pm

Israeli yachtsman said held by Colombian navy after encounter with pirates

Roy Erez, sailing to Jamaica, was forced at gunpoint by crew of local fishing boat to take on unknown passenger; vessel later boarded by soldiers, redirected to Colombia

By Stuart Winer

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos (C) with Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas during an official welcoming ceremony in Ramallah, June 4, 2013. (Issam Rimawi/Flash90)

August 10, 2018, 1:07 am

The muy curioso tale of Colombia’s shock recognition of Palestine

A day after Netanyahu cancels Bogota trip, outgoing president Santos secretly recognizes Palestine; Why? And will the new government reverse his decision?

By Raphael Ahren

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos at a press conference in Jerusalem on June 11, 2013. (Marc Israel Sellem/Pool/Flash90)

August 9, 2018, 7:56 pm

Israel ‘surprised’ by Colombian recognition of Palestinian state

Foreign Ministry says it is waiting for the new government in Bogota to explain move by ex-president during his last days in office

By Raphael Ahren and Agencies

August 9, 2018, 2:56 am

Colombia recognizes Palestine as a sovereign state

Foreign Ministry announces former president Juan Manuel Santos made decision day after Netanyahu canceled trip to the country

By Agencies and TOI staff

United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov speaks at a press conference during a visit to the Gaza Strip on July 15, 2018. (Wissam Nassar/Flash90)

August 2, 2018, 5:46 pm

Security cabinet to meet Sunday as Gaza ceasefire deal takes shape

Ministers to meet on plan by UN peace envoy, which aims for end to Palestinian airborne arson attacks and border violence, in return for Israel reopening border crossing to goods

By TOI staff

From right, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, Military Secretary to the Prime Minister Brig. Gen. Eliezer Toledano and head of the Shin Bet Nadav Argaman speak during a visit to the IDF's Gaza Division on July 17, 2018, amid an increase in violence from the Gaza Strip. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

August 2, 2018, 1:17 pm

PM scraps upcoming Colombia trip, citing volatile situation in the south

Netanyahu had planned to attend inauguration of new pro-Israel president Iván Duque and meet other regional leaders

By Raphael Ahren

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, during his welcoming ceremony at Narino presidential palace in Bogota, on September 13, 2017. (AFP/Raul Arboleda)

July 30, 2018, 11:09 am

Netanyahu heads to Colombia next week for 2nd trip in less than a year

PM to attend inauguration of new president Iván Duque, who has said he’s open to moving country’s embassy to Jerusalem, and meet other regional leaders

By Raphael Ahren

Newly elected Colombian president Ivan Duque celebrates with supporters in Bogota, after winning the presidential runoff election on June 17, 2018. (AFP/ Raul Arboleda)

June 18, 2018, 5:23 am

New Colombian president open to moving embassy to Jerusalem

Ivan Duque, who said he wanted to have the best possible ties with Israel, defeats leftist challenger, though some see seeds of political shift for conservative country

By Joshua Davidovich, Raphael Ahren and Agencies

Binyamin Cohen, 35, being arrested in Colombia before being extradited to Israel in early February 2018 for drug and human trafficking. (Colombia Police)

February 5, 2018, 11:31 pm

Colombia extradites Israeli for drug and human trafficking

Binyamin Cohen, 35, deported to Israel to face trial; police say he led a crime organization that smuggled cocaine

By JTA and TOI staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos shake hands during a ceremony to sign agreements at the Narino palace in Bogota, September 13, 2017. (AFP/Raul Arboleda)

September 14, 2017, 9:46 am

Colombian president thanks Netanyahu for Israeli help clearing landmines

In Bogota, the two leaders sign tourism cooperation agreement, announce relaunch of defunct innovation fund

By Raphael Ahren