Colombia to Exit ICJ Case Against Israel, Open Jerusalem Embassy

Colombia and Israel plan to immediately restore full diplomatic and economic relations.

By Shula Rosen

Incoming Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella announced that his administration will withdraw Colombia’s declaration of intervention in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, reversing the foreign policy of the outgoing government as part of a broader effort to restore relations with Israel.

The president-elect’s office said the decision is part of a wider diplomatic reset that includes reopening full bilateral ties, exchanging ambassadors, and establishing a Colombian embassy in Jerusalem.

“Colombia will return to a responsible position in the international arena, including within UN bodies, and will withdraw its involvement in the case brought by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague,” the president-elect’s office said, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The announcement marks a significant policy shift following the election of Colombia’s new conservative government.

It reverses the approach adopted by outgoing leftist President Gustavo Petro, who severed diplomatic ties with Israel in May 2024 and formally filed Colombia’s declaration of intervention in the ICJ proceedings in April 2024.

As part of the new government’s diplomatic agenda, Colombia and Israel plan to immediately restore full diplomatic and economic relations.

Following a meeting between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Colombia’s incoming Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar, the two governments agreed to fully normalize bilateral ties.

The agreement includes the immediate exchange of ambassadors, the removal of reciprocal visa requirements, and the opening of a Colombian embassy in Jerusalem.

The incoming administration also said it intends to strengthen what it described as the historic alliance between the two countries as diplomatic relations are restored.

The withdrawal from the ICJ case represents one of the first major foreign policy decisions announced by de la Espriella’s incoming government and signals a departure from the policies pursued under Petro’s administration.