‘I'm almost in tears’: Colombia quits Hague Group as Jerusalem embassy opens
Colombia has opened an embassy in Jerusalem, becoming the 10th country to do so, and officially requested to withdraw from the Hague Group. Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar announced the withdrawal from the coalition, which coordinates legal and diplomatic actions against Israel, during an emotional speech. This move restores diplomatic ties and a free trade deal with Israel under President Abelardo de la Espriella, reversing the policies of former President Gustavo Petro. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the move as part of a revival of ties with Latin America.
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- ✓ Colombia is the 10th country to open an embassy in Jerusalem.
- ✓ Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar announced Colombia's withdrawal from the Hague Group.
- ✓ Colombia has restored its free trade deal with Israel.
- ✓ The Hague Group is a coalition seeking legal and diplomatic measures against Israel.
What changed
Colombia established a diplomatic mission in Jerusalem and exited the anti-Israel Hague Group coalition.
Live updates
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Colombia Opens Jerusalem Embassy and Quits Hague Group
Colombia has opened an embassy in Jerusalem, becoming the 10th country to do so, and officially requested to withdraw from the Hague Group. Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar announced the withdrawal from the coalition, which coordinates legal and diplomatic actions against Israel, during an emotional speech. This move restores diplomatic ties and a free trade deal with Israel under President Abelardo de la Espriella, reversing the policies of former President Gustavo Petro. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the move as part of a revival of ties with Latin America.
Why it matters
Former President Gustavo Petro broke diplomatic relations with Israel in May 2024 due to actions in Gaza. The Hague Group served as an international alliance seeking to isolate Israel through legal and economic measures. This shift marks a total reversal of Colombia's previous foreign policy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
What is confirmed
- Colombia is the 10th country to open an embassy in Jerusalem.
- Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar announced Colombia's withdrawal from the Hague Group.
- Colombia has restored its free trade deal with Israel.
- The Hague Group is a coalition seeking legal and diplomatic measures against Israel.
- Former President Gustavo Petro broke diplomatic relations with Israel in May 2024.
What to watch next
- Diplomatic responses from Egypt and Türkiye regarding the embassy move
- Further trade agreements resulting from the restored free trade deal
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (20)
- Ynetnews — ‘I'm almost in tears’: Colombia quits Hague Group as Jerusalem embassy opens
- Reuters — Colombia opens embassy in Jerusalem, restores free trade deal with Israel
- Al Jazeera — Colombia inaugurates embassy to Israel in Jerusalem
- The Jerusalem Post — Colombia becomes 10th country to open embassy in Jerusalem
- The Times of Israel — Colombia opens embassy in Jerusalem, becoming tenth country to do so
- Middle East Eye — Colombia opens embassy in West Jerusalem as new president embraces Israel
- flipboard.com — Beloved singer’s wife killed after welcoming robbery suspects with lemonade
- AP News — Colombia opens an embassy in Jerusalem after restoring diplomatic ties with Israel
- Hürriyet Daily News — Türkiye condemns Colombia’s moving embassy to Jerusalem
- JNS.org — Netanyahu hails revival of Israel’s ties with Latin America
- cbn.com — Iran Continues Attacks on Ships in Hormuz; Netanyahu Praises Colombia for Embassy Move to Jerusalem
- Business Insider Africa — Egypt issues stern warning as Colombia opens Jerusalem embassy amid US-Russia divide over Israel’s capital and Palestine’s claim
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