Ynet: Israeli Aid Opens Venezuela Diplomatic Channel

Ynet reported at 19:28 IDT, and updated at 20:05, that Israel's earthquake-aid mission to Venezuela has opened a rare diplomatic channel after 17 years without formal relations. The report says Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil spoke by phone with mission head Yoed Magen, Israel's ambassador-designate to Mexico and Venezuela file holder, after Delcy Rodriguez publicly thanked the Israeli experts. Rabbi Yitzhak Cohen, Venezuela's chief rabbi, told Ynet he proposed the Israeli mission and called it a first step toward warmer ties. Israeli rescue skill, diaspora trust and Jewish responsibility are creating openings even where anti-Israel diplomacy once prevailed.