Worshippers at the Beth El synagogue in Barranquilla, Colombia, received a special surprise Saturday ahead of Rosh Hashanah when Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella visited the congregation and joined the Jewish community in marking the Jewish New Year.
During the visit, de la Espriella expressed support for Israel and pledged to continue standing by the Jewish state.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella joins Rosh Hashanah events at the Beth El synagogue in Barranquilla, Colombia
De la Espriella told worshippers that his visit to the synagogue was intended as “a gesture of respect, affection and brotherhood” toward Colombia’s Jewish community.
“I ask the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to bless every Jewish family in Colombia and to bless all the people of Israel,” he said in remarks at the synagogue.
The president then delivered a more explicitly political message.
“I will never stop defending Israel because it is the people of God, and I will always stand with Israel,” de la Espriella said.
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Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella joins Rosh Hashanah events at the Beth El synagogue in Barranquilla, Colombia
He added that he had defended Israel during his presidential campaign despite advice from some not to address the issue.
The president also called on Jews and Christians to defend shared values including faith, life, family, human dignity, justice and peace.
Efforts to rebuild relations
The synagogue visit comes amid a shift in Colombia’s policy toward Israel following more than two years of diplomatic tensions under former president Gustavo Petro.
De la Espriella has pledged to restore full diplomatic relations with Israel and move Colombia’s embassy to Jerusalem. His government has also taken steps toward resuming Colombian coal exports to Israel and has withdrawn Colombia from South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
An Israeli flag at an Abelardo de la Espriella rally
(Photo: Vanessa ROMERO / AFP)
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar met with the Colombian president in August. Sa'ar said at the time that the two countries were working to strengthen diplomatic, security and economic ties.
The Foreign Ministry said the countries had agreed to restore full diplomatic relations, appoint ambassadors and move the Colombian Embassy to Jerusalem.
Colombia also recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, becoming the second country after the United States to do so.
De la Espriella concluded his remarks at the synagogue with a prayer for the health, prosperity and peace of Jewish families across Colombia and the people of Israel.