CARACAS, Venezuela (VINnews) – — Venezuela’s chief rabbi has asked interim President Delcy Rodríguez to consider restoring diplomatic and consular relations with Israel, citing the needs of the country’s Jewish community.

Rabbi Isaac Cohen, chief rabbi of the Israelite Association of Venezuela, delivered a letter to Rodríguez during a meeting Sunday with Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia González at the Foreign Ministry in Caracas.

The request seeks to reopen diplomatic channels between Venezuela and Israel, which have been without formal relations for more than 17 years.

Plasencia said the proposal was presented in the context of serving Venezuela’s Jewish community, which he described as an important part of the country’s history and development.

“Venezuela has historically welcomed” a significant Jewish community and recognized its contributions to the country, Plasencia said in remarks reported by the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry.

The appeal comes weeks after Israel sent a humanitarian and technical delegation to Venezuela following devastating earthquakes that struck the country on June 24.

Israeli teams assisted with assessments of damaged and potentially unstable buildings and helped develop emergency and reconstruction plans. Venezuelan officials publicly thanked Israel for the assistance, despite the absence of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Rodríguez also met with members of the Israeli delegation before they concluded their work in Venezuela and expressed appreciation for their assistance.

Cohen played a role in establishing contact between the Venezuelan government and the Israeli relief mission. Rodríguez previously publicly thanked the rabbi for helping facilitate the arrival of Israeli experts after the earthquakes.

The earthquake response marked an unusual opening between Caracas and Jerusalem after years of hostility. Venezuela broke diplomatic relations with Israel in 2009 under then-President Hugo Chávez.

The Israeli mission ultimately spent several weeks in Venezuela, with experts working on structural assessments and a broader reconstruction plan. The delegation’s presence was extended at Rodríguez’s request before returning to Israel in July.

Cohen’s request now raises the possibility that the humanitarian cooperation could develop into a broader diplomatic thaw.

For Venezuela’s Jewish community, the restoration of formal relations could help address practical needs involving consular services, travel and communication with Israel, while also reopening an official channel between the two countries.

The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said Plasencia also expressed appreciation for Israel’s assistance following the June earthquakes.

No decision by Rodríguez on the request was immediately announced.