ByMATHILDA HELLER
Updated:

Colombia has withdrawn from South Africa's genocide case against Israel in the International Court of Justice, the court announced Tuesday.

In a statement, the ICJ said Colombia informed the Court that it had decided to withdraw the Declaration of intervention that it had filed under Article 63 of the Statute of the Court on 5 April 2024 in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel).

Colombia's Foreign Ministry then confirmed the withdrawal, but said the decision does not change Colombia’s status as a State Party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, nor does it affect the validity, scope or binding force of the international obligations assumed under that instrument.

‎Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar already mentioned the matter on Friday, thanking new Colombian President ‎Abelardo De la Espriella for the "withdrawal from South Africa's false and malicious lawsuit against Israel at the ICJ, which was made during the antisemitic Petro era."

Sa'ar also said he had discussed the matter during a July meeting with his counterpart Omar Bula Escobar in Washington.

IRELAND HAS joined South Africa in its accusations of genocide at Israel. Here, jurist Malcolm Shaw looks on at the ICJ during a ruling on South Africa’s request to order a halt to Israel’s Rafah offensive in Gaza in May.
IRELAND HAS joined South Africa in its accusations of genocide at Israel. Here, jurist Malcolm Shaw looks on at the ICJ during a ruling on South Africa’s request to order a halt to Israel’s Rafah offensive in Gaza in May. (credit: JOHANNA GERON/REUTERS)

Colombia, Israel ties revitalized in recent months

"The friendship between Israel and Colombia is stronger than ever," Sa'ar said.

Israeli ambassador to Colombia Vivien Aisen echoed the remarks, saying Colombia chose "the right side of history" and made "a brave and responsible decision that we deeply appreciate."

The move comes as part of a wider effort by the administration of President Abelardo De la Espriella to undo some of the hostilities of the previous president, and restore ties with Israel.

After being sworn in at the start of August 2026, de la Espriella announced the immediate resumption of full diplomatic relations with Israel, underlined by a landmark commitment to move the Colombian Embassy to Jerusalem.

Colombia also recognized Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has not officially issued a public statement responding to Colombia's formal withdrawal, but has previously said that it would not cause South Africa to drop its legal challenge.