Colombia's government announced Friday that it will withdraw its intervention in the lawsuit against Israel at the International Criminal Court and restore the historic alliance between the two countries, according to the Colombian government.
On Friday morning, Colombia's outgoing government formally announced that it will withdraw its intervention in the lawsuit against Israel at the International Criminal Court in The Hague and restore the historic alliance between the two countries. The announcement, made by the current administration, follows the incoming government's declaration on Thursday evening that the withdrawal would take effect after the inauguration of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella in early August. The development marks a further step in the diplomatic realignment between Bogotá and Jerusalem, with the outgoing government now lending its weight to the policy shift.
The story unfolded over the course of Thursday evening, with multiple reports emerging around 20:58 Jerusalem local time. Channel 14 first reported that Colombia had withdrawn from the International Court of Justice case initiated by South Africa against Israel. Within minutes, the office of President-elect de la Espriella confirmed that the country would withdraw from the ICC case, following a meeting between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and his Colombian counterpart, Omar Bula Escob, in Washington. Israel's Foreign Ministry then issued its own confirmation, and by 20:58, N12's Keren Bezalel reported that the withdrawal would take effect only after the new president's inauguration in early August. Israeli media outlets N12 and ynet subsequently reported that the incoming government had formally announced the withdrawal and the restoration of the historic alliance.
As The Zioneer reported on Thursday, Colombia's incoming foreign minister informed Israel that the country will open an embassy in Jerusalem. That commitment, along with the ICC withdrawal, reflects the incoming administration's pro-Israel orientation, part of a broader realignment of Bogotá's foreign policy under President-elect de la Espriella. The outgoing government's Friday announcement builds on that direction, signaling continuity across the transition.
Still open are the specific timeline for the embassy opening and the full scope of diplomatic normalization, including whether any conditions or further steps are attached to the ICC withdrawal. The withdrawal itself is not yet in effect pending the August inauguration.
7 developments
- StrongIsrael and Colombia agree to fully restore diplomatic, economic ties after August 7 inauguration
- DevelopingIsrael publishes tender for new ambassador to Colombia, restoring ties after severance
- StrongColombia President de la Espriella reinforces pledge for 'stronger than ever' Israel ties
- DevelopingColombia's incoming foreign minister tells Israel: embassy will open in Jerusalem
Source and signal
- Internal intake