Venezuela and Israel have agreed to resume consular services in each other’s countries after 17 years, both governments announced on Tuesday. The move is seen as a major shift in Venezuelan foreign policy after Caracas severed diplomatic relations with Israel in 2009.

Venezuela broke ties in protest over Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip. The source says circumstances changed after President Nicolas Maduro was taken to the United States in January, and Venezuela strengthened relations with Washington, which it describes as close to Israel.

The interim government led by Delcy Rodriguez said an Israeli humanitarian assistance delegation visited Venezuela after a deadly earthquake in June. Senior officials from the two countries then held talks, leading to the agreement on restoring consular services. Venezuela’s government said both sides recognized the importance of ties between the State of Israel and Venezuela’s Jewish community, describing that community as an important historical bridge of friendship. Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued the same statement.