Ecuador’s President visits Israel, signaling deeper bilateral ties

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa arrived in Israel on Sunday for an official visit, accompanied by a high-level delegation led by Foreign Minister María Gabriela Sommerfeld Rosero. 

The group included Ecuador’s interior and defense ministers, as well as the country’s ambassador to Israel.

The visit centered on the inauguration of Ecuador’s new innovation, research, and development center in Jerusalem. President Noboa was welcomed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who praised Ecuador’s support for Israel and thanked Noboa for his “clear and unequivocal call” for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas.

“This visit reflects the deep ties between our nations, our longstanding relationship, and the significant potential for cooperation in multiple fields,” Herzog said.

As part of the diplomatic itinerary, the Ecuadorian delegation visited the Western Wall. There, they were received by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, who explained the site’s historical and spiritual importance to the Jewish people. 

The president and the rabbi read a psalm together before Noboa offered a silent prayer for peace, his own leadership, and strengthened Ecuador-Israel relations. He then placed a note between the stones, following Jewish tradition.

Wearing a yellow ribbon in solidarity with Israeli hostages, President Noboa used the occasion to reaffirm his country’s support for Israel, declaring that Ecuador stands with Israel in its “just fight against terrorism”—a struggle he said mirrors Ecuador’s own challenges at home.

President Noboa’s visit is more than symbolic. It highlights Ecuador’s alignment with Israel on matters of security, innovation, and diplomacy. 

While rooted in shared interests, the visit also demonstrates how global political leaders are leveraging high-profile gestures of solidarity to strengthen bilateral cooperation and enhance international positioning. Despite regional tensions, such gestures underline the growing web of nontraditional alliances Israel continues to cultivate.