Israel, Bolivia to renew diplomatic ties after Gaza war split

Israel and Bolivia are set to restore diplomatic relations on Tuesday, the Israeli foreign ministry announced, two years after Bolivia severed ties with the country over the Gaza war.

Israel's top diplomat Gideon Saar "will sign in Washington -- together with Bolivia's Foreign Minister Fernando Aramayo -- the renewal of diplomatic relations between the two countries," the ministry said in a statement.

"Happy for the new chapter that we will write in the relations between Bolivia and Israel," his Bolivian counterpart wrote on X.

In late October 2023, Bolivia became the first Latin American country to cut ties with Israel over its military actions in the Gaza war, which followed the Hamas-led attack against Israel earlier that month.

Israel slammed the move as "a surrender to terrorism" by the government of leftist Luis Arce, while Hamas hailed the decision.

In October, Bolivians voted in a new centre-right government led by conservative President Rodrigo Paz, ending nearly 20 years of socialist government under Evo Morales and Luis Arce.

Saar announced the restoration of diplomatic ties on Monday, saying he had spoken with Paz the day after his election "and conveyed Israel's desire to open a new chapter".

Saar also welcomed Bolivia's recent decision to lift visa requirements for Israeli tourists.

"Israel and Bolivia first established diplomatic relations in 1950. There have been disagreements but our friendship goes back decades," the Israeli foreign ministry wrote on the occasion of Paz's inauguration ceremony last month.

"Tens of thousands of 'mochileros' (Israeli backpackers) have fond memories and look forward to visiting again."