Foreign Ministry Defends Outside Producer for Colombia Embassy Celebration

Israel's Foreign Ministry defended using an outside production adviser for a reception marking Colombia's planned Jerusalem embassy opening on October 14. Unnamed ministry officials said the arrangement cost tens of thousands of shekels and that professional staff were excluded from content planning. The ministry declined to disclose the amount, saying experienced outside assistance coordinates administration and lowers supplier costs; other officials disputed those savings. Foreign Ministers Gideon Sa'ar and Omar Bula Escobar are scheduled to attend the inauguration and evening reception. The ministry said the celebration also supports efforts to bring more embassies to Israel's capital.