Iván Duque’s Visit to Israel: A Show of Support for Netanyahu
Gustavo Petro’s administration in Colombia has been vocally critical of Israel amid ongoing conflicts in the region. However, former President Iván Duque is taking a markedly different stance. Recently, he publicly expressed his unwavering support for Israel during a visit to the country, where he met with Prime Minister Benjamín Netanyahu.
On August 25, Duque disclosed his visit via social media, sharing insights about his meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister. He emphasized the importance of the relationship between Colombia and Israel, stating, “It is always an honor to visit the state of Israel and dialogue with a close friend and ally of the Colombian people, the prime minister @Netanyahu, with whom we promote a vigorous investment and trade agenda between 2018 and 2022.”
Accompanying Duque during this meeting were members of the Innovation for Development Foundation, businessman Gabriel Gilinski, and former Secretary General Víctor Muñoz. The meeting focused on ways to bolster the social innovation agenda between entrepreneurs from Israel and Colombia.
Moreover, Duque was particularly pleased to announce that he exchanged books with Netanyahu. He received a copy of “Bibi, My Story,” the autobiography of the Israeli Prime Minister, published in October 2022. Duque remarked, “The majority of politicians’ autobiographies are bombastic. Long speeches are reproduced…” showcasing his intent to understand the nuances of his counterpart’s political journey.
Duque gifted Netanyahu his own book titled “Strength and Truth,” published by Editorial Planeta in June 2025. This book, inspired by dialogues with students, teachers, and workers at the University of Oxford, addresses critical questions regarding the future of humanism against a backdrop of uncertainty and technological revolution.
In the past, Duque has been an unapologetic supporter of Netanyahu. In November 2024, following the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) announcement of capture orders against the Prime Minister, Duque lambasted the court for targeting Israeli leaders who, in Duque’s view, are merely combating terrorist threats in the Middle East. He stated that the ICC appears indifferent to atrocities committed in Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro’s regime, questioning the international community’s priorities.
Current Colombian President Gustavo Petro was quick to react to Duque’s visit. He criticized the former president for seeming indifferent to the suffering caused by the conflict in the Middle East, calling him out for prioritizing personal ties over humanitarian concerns. Petro emphasized in a recent post, “They care about anything other than the genocide, the deaths by hunger, and the children who suffer bombardments.”
Duque’s visit and outspoken support for Israel stand in stark contrast to Petro’s administration. With ongoing tensions in the Middle East and growing concerns over humanitarian crises, the former president’s position highlights a significant rift in Colombian politics regarding international relations and the nation’s stance on global conflicts.
In summary, Iván Duque’s strategic engagement with Israel underscores a key diplomatic stance that may influence Colombia’s future foreign policies. This move not only energizes the Colombian-Israeli relationship but also raises questions about how Colombia will navigate its role on the global stage amidst divisive international issues.