Colombia’s incoming president’s office announced that the country will withdraw from the lawsuit South Africa filed against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICC) in The Hague, as part of a full renewal of ties between the two countries.
Following Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s Wednesday meeting with Colombia’s incoming foreign minister, Omar Bula Escobar, a statement published by the office of Colombia’s president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, said that Colombia would withdraw its participation in the case against Israel at The Hague.
The statement said, “Colombia will also return to a responsible position on the international stage, including in UN bodies, and will withdraw its involvement in the case filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.”
It also called out outgoing Colombian president Gustavo Petro’s decision to “unilaterally sever the historic relations between Colombia and Israel,” adding that the new government will strengthen the relations between Jerusalem and Bogota again.
Sa’ar met with Colombia’s incoming foreign minister in Washington, where they agreed to put relations between the two countries back on track immediately after de la Espriella’s inauguration on August 7.
The two agreed on the full restoration of diplomatic and economic relations between the countries and on the immediate and reciprocal appointment of ambassadors.
Bula Escobar said his government intends to open an embassy in Jerusalem, Israel’s capital, while Sa’ar pledged to give his ministry’s full assistance to carry out the move immediately. The ministers also agreed to mutual cancellation of the visa requirement to travel between the two countries.
