Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the Israeli aid delegation working in earthquake-stricken Venezuela, saying the team is not only helping the country recover from last month’s devastating earthquakes but is also restoring diplomatic ties nearly two decades after Caracas severed relations with Israel.

In a video message to the delegation’s leadership, Netanyahu told the head of the mission and IDF Home Front Command chief of staff, Elad Edri, along with Israel’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Yoed Magen, who is heading the delegation’s civilian component, that their work is showing both the Venezuelan government and its people the true character of the State of Israel.

The delegation has spent the past 10 days operating in several earthquake-hit areas at the request of the Venezuelan government, assessing damaged buildings and assisting with reconstruction. After meeting with Venezuela’s infrastructure minister, the Israeli team also drew up a national reconstruction plan that was approved by acting President Delcy Rodriguez.

Netanyahu noted the significance of the outreach given the history between the two countries: Venezuela cut diplomatic ties with Israel over the 2008-2009 Gaza war, and under then-President Hugo Chavez became one of Israel’s most vocal critics during the war sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 invasion.

Israel has voiced hope for improved relations with Caracas since the U.S. captured then-President Nicolas Maduro in January and backed Rodriguez’s rise to power. Edri said in the video that the delegation is proud to represent Israel, working day and night alongside the Venezuelan government’s Infrastructure Ministry, and noted the team has also connected with the local Jewish community, describing a warm reception from both officials and residents.