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Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to visit Panama and Costa Rica in early May, according to statements from both the Israeli Foreign Ministry and Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino. The visit, scheduled to begin on May 6, aims to boost ties with Latin American nations, a region where Israel has faced both diplomatic isolation and growing support.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from Al Jazeera and The Jerusalem Post offer differing emphases on the significance of Herzog's trip. Al Jazeera frames the visit within the context of Israel's "growing international isolation" over its regional wars, noting that the trip is part of a diplomatic effort to maintain relationships with countries that have continued to tout strong ties with Israel. The outlet highlights that Panama and Costa Rica have abstained from voting on UN resolutions related to Israel, and that the US has expressed support for Israel's agreements with Costa Rica.

The Jerusalem Post, in contrast, adopts a more positive tone, portraying the visit as reflecting "a deeper geopolitical reality" in which Israel is gaining new allies. The paper cites examples such as Argentina's Javier Milei and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and argues that Israel has found new allies among nationalist and conservative leaders in Europe while losing support from Western left-wing circles.

Additional Jerusalem Post coverage focuses on the personal significance of the visit for Panama's ambassador to Israel, Ezra Cohen, and emphasizes Panama's consistent support for Israel, including being the only Latin American country that does not recognize a Palestinian state.

Key Claims

  • Herzog will depart Israel on May 6 for a four-day official visit to Panama and Costa Rica, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino confirmed the visit, which he said aims to strengthen diplomatic ties and interaction, according to The Jerusalem Post.
  • In Panama, Herzog will meet with President Mulino and government officials; in Costa Rica, he will attend the inauguration of President-elect Laura Fernandez Delgado, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Panama and Costa Rica have abstained from voting on UN resolutions related to Israel, a fact noted by Al Jazeera.
  • Panama is the only Latin American country that does not recognize a Palestinian state, a claim carried by The Jerusalem Post.
  • A free trade agreement between Israel and Panama was signed and ratified in 2019 and went into effect the following year, according to The Jerusalem Post.
  • The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that the visit "reflects the importance of Israel's ties with countries across Latin America and the renewed momentum in Israel's relations with Central and South American nations," as quoted by Al Jazeera.
  • Al Jazeera also reports that Israel's "genocidal war on Gaza" has prompted an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a claim not mentioned in the other reports.

Perspectives

Israeli Government and Supporters: The Israeli Foreign Ministry and The Jerusalem Post portray the visit as a positive step in strengthening ties with Latin America. The Jerusalem Post's opinion piece argues that Israel is gaining new allies among conservative and nationalist leaders, citing Javier Milei and Narendra Modi, and suggests the world is reorganizing around a new political divide.

Panamanian Leadership: President Mulino confirmed the visit and emphasized the purpose of strengthening diplomatic ties. Ambassador Ezra Cohen expressed personal excitement, highlighting the deep historical ties between Panama's Jewish community and Israel.

Critics and International Observers: Al Jazeera frames the visit against Israel's "growing international isolation," referencing the ICJ arrest warrant for Netanyahu and criticism of Israel's military actions in Gaza.