The arrival of an Israeli aid delegation from the humanitarian organization NATAN in Venezuela, following the powerful earthquakes that struck the country on 24th June, has triggered political controversy, particularly after images circulated showing members of the team wearing military uniforms and carrying the Israeli flag.

The deployment is notable because Venezuela has had no formal diplomatic relations with Israel since 2009. Caracas has also been among the most prominent political and diplomatic supporters of South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, where Israel is accused of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.

The deployment is notable because Venezuela has had no formal diplomatic relations with Israel since 2009. Caracas has also been among the most prominent political and diplomatic supporters of South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, where Israel is accused of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.

“Immediately after landing, the delegation members began a series of working meetings with local authorities, emergency services and other partners to assess the situation, identify needs on the ground, plan joint activity and finalize preparations for the start of operations,” Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a joint statement.

Delcy Rodríguez informó sobre la llegada de un equipo de expertos israelíes, coordinado por el rabino Cohen, representante de la comunidad judía venezolana. Según indicó, los especialistas realizarán una evaluación técnica de la zona afectada y determinarán las labores de rescate… pic.twitter.com/FVm1qzmqLI — Maibort Petit (@maibortpetit) July 3, 2026

Delcy Rodríguez informó sobre la llegada de un equipo de expertos israelíes, coordinado por el rabino Cohen, representante de la comunidad judía venezolana. Según indicó, los especialistas realizarán una evaluación técnica de la zona afectada y determinarán las labores de rescate… pic.twitter.com/FVm1qzmqLI

— Maibort Petit (@maibortpetit) July 3, 2026

The Venezuelan government sought to present the Israeli team’s arrival as part of a technical emergency response. Delcy Rodríguez, who replaced former President Nicolás Maduro after he was abducted by the U.S, said she had been informed of the arrival of one of the Israeli experts, accompanied by Rabbi Cohen, a representative of Venezuela’s Jewish community. She said the specialists would assess technical conditions in the affected areas and identify the rescue work needed before any reconstruction process could........

© Middle East Monitor