Bolivia–Israel relations

Bolivia–Israel relations are the official diplomatic relations between Bolivia and Israel. Since the first decade of the 21st century, relations between the two countries have been characterized by coldness and are still largely affected by Bolivia's anti-Zionism stance on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were first established in 1950 but have been severed and renewed several times due to Bolivia's opposition to Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip against terrorist organizations. Bolivia first severed ties with Israel in 2009 following "Operation Cast Lead", and again in 2023 following 2023 Israel–Hamas war, after they had been briefly renewed in 2019.
As of October 2023, there are no official diplomatic relations between the State of Israel and Bolivia.
History
Bolivia officially recognized Israel in February 1949 and relations were officially established in 1950. The first official visit by one of the two countries was made by the Bolivian Minister of Finance Quadro Sanchez who came to Israel along with the President of the Central Bank of Bolivia Paz Anzeana from Istanbul at the invitation of the Israeli government.
In 1957, Bolivia decided to accredit Walter Guevara-Arze, its ambassador in Paris, as chargé d'affaires in Israel. On 29 November of that year, Guevara-Arze presented his credentials to the President of Israel, Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, thus formally establishing diplomatic relations between Israel and Bolivia.
During the military coups that took place in Bolivia between 1964 and 1982, close ties existed between Bolivia and Israel. Israel sold Uzi submachine guns, ammunition and aircraft to Bolivia, and in return Bolivia supported Israel on the international stage.
In August 1964 the Commander of the Bolivian Armed Forces, General Alfredo Ovando Candia, visited Israel along with other senior Bolivian military personnel.
Following Operation Cast Lead in 2008–2009, Bolivia decided to sever relations with Israel and expelled the Israeli ambassador Shlomo Cohen as well as seven members of the diplomatic mission, after the decision of President Evo Morales of the leftist Movement for Socialism party that came to power in 2006. Following the decision, the leader of the Jewish community in the country, Abraham Levi, stated that the Bolivian government "has taken a position of a terrorist group, supporting Hamas and not accepting the arguments of the Israeli government." Morales was considered an ally of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, who also decided to sever diplomatic ties with Israel following the operation.
In 2010, Israeli exports to Bolivia amounted to about $6 million, and imports from Bolivia to Israel about $3 million.
Following Operation Protective Edge in 2014, Morales declared Israel a "terror state" due to the IDF's activity in the operation that year. As a result of the decision, the visa waiver that had been in place between the countries since the agreement signed between them in 1972 on the subject was cancelled. Morales also promised to prohibit Israelis from visiting Bolivia. This decision had a significant negative impact on the flow of Israeli tourists to Bolivia. Yorco Nunzez, former mayor of Rurrenabaque, said the number of tourists from Israel once stood at 20,000 people, and after the introduction of visas decreased to less than 3,000 tourists.
On 28 November 2019, Bolivian Foreign Minister Karen Longaric announced the country's intention to resume diplomatic relations with Israel. The Israeli Foreign Ministry welcomed the decision. This move came after Morales' resignation from the presidency, as he demonstrated pro-Iranian and anti-American positions, distancing himself from the Western world since taking office, after receiving political asylum in Mexico following widespread protests against his government, breaking into his home, and placing a bounty on his head. It was also decided to renew the visa waiver for Israelis touring Bolivia.
On 4 February 2020, for the first time in a decade, a delegation from the Israeli Foreign Ministry met with Bolivian President Jeanine Áñez, Foreign Minister Karen Longaric, cabinet members, and legislators in the capital La Paz.
Following the 31 October 2023 attack on Jabalia during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, the Bolivian government announced that it was severing diplomatic ties with Israel.
See also
Foreign relations of Bolivia
Foreign relations of Israel
References
External links
Israel
Bilateral relations of Israel