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In a move that signals a renewed interest in reviving ties between Venezuela and Israel, Chief Rabbi Isaac Cohen, the head of the Israelite Association of Venezuela, has submitted a letter to the country’s President, Delcy Rodríguez. Cohen’s gesture appears to be a response to the deteriorating diplomatic climate between Caracas and Tel Aviv, with Venezuela having severed diplomatic relations with Israel in 2009.
According to local reports, the letter presented by Rabbi Cohen was received at the Presidential Palace (Palacio de Miraflores) by the Director-General of the Venezuelan Ministry of Popular Power for Foreign Affairs, who is also the acting Foreign Minister in the absence of a formal minister. Although details about the content of the letter remain sketchy, it is known that Rabbi Cohen implored President Rodríguez to consider the benefits of restoring diplomatic relations between Venezuela and Israel.
The move comes at a time when Venezuela, still grappling with severe economic and humanitarian crises, continues to face isolation within the international community. Efforts to improve relations with other countries, including those in the Latin American region, have shown little success. Re-embracing Israel – an influential player in international affairs – may help Venezuela in its quest to reassert its presence on the global stage.
In response to the development, Venezuelan analysts believe that an opportunity for re-engagement has arisen. Diplomatic ties between the two nations have been frozen for over a decade, with Venezuela voting against a UN General Assembly resolution condemning the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement in 2019. However, as the Venezuelan government seeks to boost economic and trade ties with other countries, diplomatic rapprochement with Israel is seen as a logical step in bolstering the country’s global connections.
In recent years, some South American countries have reasserted their relationships with Israel following a thaw in the regional stance towards the Jewish state. This shift, coupled with growing economic and trade ties with the United States and other international powers, may encourage Venezuela to explore similar options.
However, the potential implications of a renewed diplomatic relationship between Venezuela and Israel remain uncertain. Critics of Israel may be expected to express disapproval of any steps towards improving bilateral ties. A possible reaction from local pro-Palestinian groups remains a concern for the Venezuelan government, particularly amidst the ongoing regional efforts to address humanitarian and socio-economic issues across Venezuela.
As Caracas evaluates the merits of re-establishing diplomatic connections with Israel, Chief Rabbi Isaac Cohen’s letter represents a fresh overture by Venezuela to reconsider the possibility of strengthening relations. While progress may be slow and fraught with challenges, such discussions hold potential for boosting Venezuela’s international standing and revitalizing strained relationships in Latin America.