For the first time in a decade, Bolivia will renew diplomatic relations with Israel. The news came with an announcement by Bolivia’s Foreign Minister Karen Longaric who announced on Thursday that his country intends to renew diplomatic relations now that former President Evo Morales has fled the country. Morales decided to sever relations on January 14th, 2009, following Operation Cast Lead. Over the past few months, Israel’s Foreign Ministry has been working to renew ties with the South American country, and with the departure of Morales, the interim government agreed to Israel’s request to renew ties.

Longaric did not specify an exact date for the move.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz praised the decision: “I welcome the announcement by the Bolivian government of its intention to renew relations with the State of Israel, which will contribute to strengthening the State of Israel’s foreign relations and status in the world.”

”The Foreign Office has been working for a long time to promote the renewal of relations directly and also through the Brazilian President and the Brazilian Foreign Minister with whom I recently spoke on the issue at the UN Conference in New York.

“The departure of President Morales, who was hostile to Israel, and his replacement with a friendly Israeli government, allowed the process to mature,” the Foreign Minister explained.

On November 10th, President Evo Morales resigned due to large-scale protests that erupted following a disputed election. It has been reported that Morales has since fled to Mexico.

It is worth noting that in spite of the lack of diplomatic relations between the two countries, thousands of Israelis still backpack through Bolivia annually with the Bolivian Government’s permission. Israel has still utilized the help of their “honorary” consul in Bolivia, businessman Roberto Nelkenbaum, who has helped Israeli backpackers in the country who have required assistance. He also assisted in instances where Israelis have gotten hurt or killed and worked opposite the Bolivian government to gain those who needed it emergency flights back to Israel.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)