Israel and Bolivia to Restore Diplomatic Relations After Years of Rift

Israel is ready to open a new chapter and fully restore diplomatic relations.

By United with Israel Staff

Israel and Bolivia are set to formally renew diplomatic ties on Tuesday in Washington, where Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar will meet Bolivian Foreign Minister Fernando Armaio to sign a normalization agreement.

Bolivia’s finance and economy minister, José Gabriel Espinoza, is also expected to attend. The signing follows Bolivia’s recent decision to cancel its visa requirement for Israeli travelers.

According to Sa’ar, Israel is ready “to open a new chapter and fully restore diplomatic relations.” Bolivia’s president-elect has likewise told Jerusalem that he intends to reopen Bolivia to the world and rebuild ties with Israel.

Israel was represented at November’s inauguration ceremony in La Paz by Foreign Ministry Director General Eden Bar-Tal.

Bolivia and Israel first established relations in 1950, but ties deteriorated sharply after the far-left MAS party came to power in 2006. Under President Evo Morales, Bolivia severed relations in 2009 after Operation Cast Lead and aligned itself more closely with Iran.

Relations briefly resumed in 2019 under the transitional government that replaced Morales, only to be cut again in October 2023 after Bolivia condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

With a new Bolivian government elected in 2025, both countries have moved quickly to reestablish political and diplomatic cooperation.

Tuesday’s signing is expected to mark the formal restoration of full bilateral relations after more than a decade of instability.