Netanyahu: Israel is rebuilding Venezuela—and restoring ties

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Israel’s earthquake relief mission in Venezuela on Thursday, saying the delegation is doing more than helping rebuild communities devastated by last month’s deadly earthquakes—it is helping restore diplomatic ties after nearly two decades of estrangement.

Israeli rescue and engineering teams have spent the past 10 days assessing damaged buildings and helping develop a national reconstruction plan following the twin earthquakes that killed nearly 3,900 people and left thousands homeless. The plan was approved by Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, according to Israel.

Netanyahu said the mission is showing “the true face of the State of Israel” to the Venezuelan people.

Venezuela severed ties with Israel in 2009 under Hugo Chávez, but Jerusalem has sought to rebuild relations following the removal of Nicolás Maduro from power earlier this year.

Benjamin NetanyahuCaracasEarthquakehumanitarian aidIDFIsraelJerusalemVenezuela