Israel says Colombia withdrew from ICJ case — The Rio Times
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that Colombia had withdrawn its participation in South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. At the same time, the text of the official Colombian statement mentioned by the Israeli minister has not been made public, and as of September 19, there was no notice of withdrawal on the court's case page.
As The Rio Times reports, Sa'ar thanked Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella for this decision. He referred to a Colombian statement on withdrawing from the proceedings initiated by South Africa, which alleged that Israel had violated the UN Convention on the Prevention of the Crime of Genocide in Gaza. Israel rejects these allegations.
Colombia's role in the case
Colombia filed a declaration of intervention on April 5, 2024, during the presidency of Gustavo Petro. It was the first declaration of intervention entered into the case file. The country cited Article 63 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice and stressed that it did not seek to become a party to the proceedings, but intended to set out its own interpretation of the provisions of the Genocide Convention.
Such intervention does not make a state a claimant and does not grant it the right to seek a ruling against the respondent. Therefore, Colombia's possible withdrawal of its declaration does not change South Africa's application, but only means the end of Bogotá's participation in interpreting the convention's provisions.
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Colombia's change of course
On July 16, de la Espriella, who was then president-elect, announced his intention to withdraw the country from the case after taking office. He became president on August 7. Sa'ar also said that this decision followed his conversation with Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula in Washington on July 15.
According to The Rio Times, Colombia's new authorities have also moved to restore relations with Israel, which the Petro government severed in May 2024 over the war in Gaza. Colombia's Foreign Ministry recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and the previous administration's plan to open an embassy in Ramallah was also cancelled.
The International Court of Justice ordered provisional measures in the case in January, March and May 2024, but has not yet issued a decision on the merits. South Africa's next written submission is due by November 22, 2027, and Israel's written response by May 22, 2029.
