Venezuela’s leader meets Israeli aid delegation after earthquake in rare diplomatic moment

In an unexpected diplomatic encounter, Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s interim president, met with an Israeli delegation that travelled to the country to provide humanitarian assistance following a devastating earthquake. The meeting represents a notable thaw in relations between the two nations, which have been strained for years, with Venezuela having severed formal diplomatic ties with Israel and often taking hostile stances towards the Jewish state. Rodríguez, who leads a government that has been consistently critical of Israel, requested that the Israeli delegation extend its stay in the country to continue relief efforts. The encounter was notable for including Israeli military officers in uniform, underlining the scale of the humanitarian operation being conducted. The delegation’s presence highlights how natural disasters can sometimes transcend political divisions, with countries setting aside diplomatic tensions to focus on saving lives and providing emergency aid. Venezuela’s decision to allow the Israeli team to remain and expand their work suggests a pragmatic approach to the humanitarian crisis, prioritising the welfare of earthquake victims over longstanding political grievances.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.