Chile and Honduras Ambassadors Return to Israel for First Time Since October 7

Herzog spoke with Chile's envoy about Gaza diplomacy and referenced the Trump Board of Peace plan.

President Isaac Herzog accepted credentials from six new ambassadors in ceremonies at the President's Residence on Monday. This marked the return of envoys from Chile and Honduras to Israel for the first time since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.

The ambassadors were from Sri Lanka, Georgia, Nigeria, Germany, Chile and Honduras. They were greeted with national anthems by the IDF Orchestra and reviewed an honor guard. Each then presented credentials to Herzog, met privately with him and signed the guest book.

During the meeting with Chile's ambassador, Herzog discussed diplomatic efforts on the Gaza conflict and mentioned the Trump Board of Peace initiative.

"You rightly mentioned the pogrom and the horrific atrocities of October 7, and where we find ourselves three years later," Herzog said. "We are still coping with the pain and the trauma, but we are also rebuilding every single day."

Diplomatic Efforts Open Doors for Regional Dialogue

The president expressed hope that current diplomatic efforts would open new paths for dialogue across the region.

"I believe that now, together with the many efforts of Trump's BoP, we can find ways to engage in dialogue with our neighbors on all fronts," he said. "There are many positive steps in the BoP's efforts under the sponsorship and leadership of President Trump."

Herzog welcomed the council's 20-point plan as a very positive step following its adoption by the UN Security Council.

He stressed that progress requires Hamas to surrender its weapons.

"I think the 20-point plan, adopted by the UN Security Council, is a very positive step, under the clear commitment that Hamas must be disarmed, and I hope Hamas will be completely disarmed," Herzog said. "That is clearly the basis for moving to the next stage through the establishment of a technocratic government."

He added that with support from US President Donald Trump, the BoP and BoP CEO Nikolay Mladenov, the framework could bring hope to Gaza residents and the people of Israel.