Israel’s Peru envoy named nonresident ambassador to Bolivia

Sa’ar spoke with Bolivia’s center-right president, Rodrigo Paz, the day after his election in October, in one of the new leader’s first diplomatic calls.

By JNS

The Israeli Cabinet unanimously approved the nomination of Ambassador to Peru Gali Dagan to also serve as nonresident ambassador to Bolivia, the Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.

The move comes after Jerusalem and La Paz on Dec. 9 restored diplomatic relations that had been severed over the Gaza war.

Dagan will be based in Lima and represent Israel in La Paz until an embassy is opened and a resident envoy is appointed, according to the ministry.

He previously served as ambassador to Colombia until Bogotá cut diplomatic ties in 2024, and a subsequent posting to Brazil was blocked by Brasília in 2025 amid heightened tensions over the Gaza war.​

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and his Bolivian counterpart, Fernando Aramayo, signed a joint communiqué on renewing diplomatic relations between the countries at a ceremony in Washington on Dec. 9. Bolivia’s Finance Minister José Gabriel Espinoza also participated in the event.

Sa’ar described the meeting as “warm and moving” in a speech at the signing ceremony as he celebrated “ending the long, unnecessary chapter of separation between our two nations.”

The agreement ended a two-year diplomatic freeze that began when the previous government, led by the Socialist Mas Party, severed ties with Israel in the wake of Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 massacre, announcing the move on Nov. 1 of that year.

Chile, Colombia and Honduras soon followed suit, recalling their ambassadors from Israel and downgrading official representation.

Sa’ar spoke with Bolivia’s center-right president, Rodrigo Paz, the day after his election in October, in one of the new leader’s first diplomatic calls.

Sa’ar conveyed Israel’s desire to open a new chapter in relations, while Paz expressed his intention to lead Bolivia toward greater international engagement and reestablish ties with Israel, according to the ministry statement.

In November, Eden Bar-Tal, director-general of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, represented the country at Paz’s inauguration in Bolivia.

In early December, Bolivia lifted visa requirements for Israeli travelers, following weeks of negotiations between the two foreign ministries to finalize the agreement text and joint statement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Dec. 10 congratulated Paz on the renewal of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

During a telephone conversation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Paz on the renewal of diplomatic relations, Netanyahu’s office said at the time.

“The two leaders agreed on the need to promote cooperation in various fields, with an emphasis on security, and to restore the vibrant tourism of many Israeli travelers to Bolivia’s natural landscapes and rich cultures,” according to the readout.

“The prime minister invited the president of Bolivia to visit Israel, and the president said he looks forward to this visit soon and to a strong friendship between the two nations.”