Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar’s today (Monday, 1 December 2025) addressed the opening of Ecuador’s Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship with diplomatic status in Jerusalem. Following are his full remarks:
“It’s an honor to join you for the opening of Ecuador’s Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Jerusalem, our eternal capital.
Ecuador, under President Daniel Noboa’s leadership, is among Israel’s greatest friends in Latin America and the world.
Over the past two years Ecuador’s support has been especially clear.
Ecuador stood by Israel during some of our most challenging moments.
It supported our right to self-defense.
Ecuador designated the Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Hezbollah, and Hamas as terrorist organizations.
These are examples of Ecuador’s strategic responsibility and moral clarity – under President Noboa’s leadership.
President Noboa is a very distinguished and impressive leader.
I’ve heard that in Ecuador they say:
“Noboa habla poco pero speso.”
“He speaks little but deeply”. Indeed, President Noboa delivers.
Immediately after being re-elected by a clear majority, President Noboa visited Israel.
He became the second President of Ecuador to visit.
During that visit he inaugurated the Innovation Center, whose opening we celebrate today.
President Noboa is leading Ecuador to great places. He is fighting narco-terrorism at home and reducing poverty rates.
Under his leadership, Ecuador has a foreign policy with a clear moral dimension. It is deeply appreciated these days.
The President is positioning Ecuador as an influential actor in Latin America.
*
Our nations have close and longstanding relations.
Ecuador welcomed Jewish refugees fleeing Europe before World War II and the Holocaust.
Ecuador voted at the UN for the establishment of the State of Israel in 1947. It established full diplomatic relations with Israel in 1950.
Latin American countries – Guatemala, Paraguay, and Honduras – have already moved their embassies to Jerusalem.
President Javiet Milei announced that he will move Argentina’s embassy in the spring of 2026.
I commend President Noboa and Ecuador for this important decision.
The opening of Ecuador’s Innovation Center with diplomatic status is yet another milestone in this direction.
It brings us closer to the day – this is my belief and hope – when Ecuador hopefully will move its embassy to Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people.
Through this new center, israel and Ecuador are strengthening our innovation, economic and people-to-people partnership.
Strengthening relations with Ecuador is a priority of mine.
I intend to personally work on deepening our bilateral and economic ties.
I discussed this with Foreign Minister Sommerfeld just two days ago.
I intend to visit Ecuador in 2026 as part of my commitment to strengthen our relationship.
Deepening Israel’s ties with our friends in Latin America is a goal that I am committed to advancing – and Ecuador is a central part of it.
Excellencies,
I congratulate the government of Ecuador for this step.
I thank President Noboa, Foreign Minister Sommerfeld, and Ambassador Calero for their friendship and partnership.
I also thank the Hebrew University and Professor Sheafer for hosting this important diplomatic center.
Together, we are strengthening this strategic partnership and I’m sure we’ll continue to do so in the coming years.
Thank you.”
Related Topics
