Israeli President Herzog departs for historic state visit to Panama and Costa Rica
President Herzog's four-day itinerary includes a first-ever meeting with Panamanian leadership and attendance at the Costa Rican presidential inauguration, targeting nations with significant UN Security Council influence.
President Isaac Herzog departed Israel on 6 May 2026 for a four-day official visit to Panama and Costa Rica, marking a significant diplomatic push for the state in Central America. This trip represents the first-ever state visit by an Israeli president to Panama, a move designed to deepen diplomatic ties with the region as Israel faces growing international isolation regarding its regional conflicts.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry has framed the journey as an opportunity to bolster strategic partnerships and underscore the status of these nations as important allies. In Panama, President Herzog is scheduled to meet with President Jose Raul Mulino and government officials, following up on discussions held at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year. The agenda in Costa Rica includes attending the inauguration of President-elect Laura Fernandez Delgado, an event originally invited by the outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves Robles.
Central to the strategic calculus of this visit is the United Nations Security Council. Panama currently holds a two-year term as a non-permanent member, making its alignment strategically significant for Israel. The Foreign Ministry statement highlights Panama as a "true friend of Israel" and a current member of the council. Both Panama and Costa Rica have previously abstained from resolutions calling for an end to the occupation of Palestinian territory in 2024 and September 2025 respectively, a voting behaviour that contrasts with the overwhelming opposition Israel has faced in the General Assembly.
The visit coincides with broader US diplomatic efforts in the region, including partnerships with Argentine President Javier Milei and support for a free trade agreement between Israel and Costa Rica signed in December 2025. The US Department of State has expressed support for these agreements, citing shared interests and potential for prosperity. Many analysts suggest that smaller states in Central America, which often depend on US support and trade, may view a closer partnership with Israel as a means of signalling alignment with Washington's interests.
However, the specific outcomes or concrete agreements reached during these meetings remain undisclosed. While the Israeli Foreign Ministry emphasises the renewed momentum in relations with Central and South American nations, the extent to which the visit will successfully prevent Panama from voting against Israel during its UNSC term remains unknown. The trip may also be an attempt to counter vocal support for Palestine in Latin America from leaders such as Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Previous diplomatic milestones include the opening of a trade office in Jerusalem, a move Israel claims as its capital but which is considered illegally occupied under international law. As the President engages with the Jewish community in both countries and attends a dinner for heads of state, the focus remains on maintaining relationships with a handful of nations that have continued to tout their strong ties with Israel despite the opprobrium surrounding the war in Gaza.
