Colombia's designated foreign minister, Omar Bula Escobar, declared at a summit with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar in Washington that upon returning to power in early August, his government will renew full diplomatic relations with Israel, move the embassy to Jerusalem, and withdraw from the lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice, according to his statement.
Colombia’s designated foreign minister, Omar Bula Escobar, on Thursday declared at a summit with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Washington that upon returning to power in early August, his government will renew full diplomatic relations with Israel, move the embassy to Jerusalem, and withdraw from the lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice. The statement, made at a gathering of South American diplomats hosted by Sa’ar, formalizes pledges that had been signaled in earlier reports.
The announcement is the latest in a chain of confirmations that unfolded on Thursday evening. At 20:58 Jerusalem, The Zioneer published a series of updates: initial reports from Channel 14 said Colombia had withdrawn its joinder in the ICJ case; within minutes, the president-elect’s office, the Israeli Foreign Ministry, and Colombian officials each confirmed the withdrawal and the restoration of the historic alliance. The corroboration evolved from a single news outlet to multiple official sources. Earlier on Thursday, at 13:26 Jerusalem, the incoming foreign minister had informed Israel that the embassy would open in Jerusalem, and at 14:22 Jerusalem, Israel and Colombia agreed to fully restore diplomatic and economic ties after the August 7 inauguration.
The incoming government of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella is reversing the policies of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, who severed diplomatic relations with Israel in June 2024 and joined the genocide case at the International Court of Justice. As The Zioneer reported on June 25, de la Espriella announced that opening an embassy in Jerusalem would be his first official act; on July 2, Israel published a tender for a new ambassador to Colombia. The new administration’s moves signal a strategic realignment in South America.
The embassy relocation and the formal withdrawal from the ICJ case are scheduled to take effect after the new president’s inauguration on August 7. Specific details on the timeline for the embassy move and the exact legal steps for the withdrawal have not yet been disclosed.
8 developments
- DevelopingColombia's incoming foreign minister tells Israel: embassy will open in Jerusalem
- 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's new president announces first act: opening embassy in Jerusalem
Source and signal
- Internal intake