Colombia has informed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that it is withdrawing its declaration of intervention in the case brought by South Africa against Israel over alleged violations of the Genocide Convention in the Gaza Strip.
The ICJ said on Tuesday that Colombia had notified the court of its decision to withdraw the declaration, which it filed on 5 April 2024 under Article 63 of the ICJ Statute.
Article 63 allows states party to a convention whose interpretation is at issue in a case to intervene in proceedings. Colombia's intervention did not make it a party to the main case.
South Africa brought the case against Israel in December 2023, alleging violations of its obligations under the Genocide Convention in relation to Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has rejected the allegations and denied that its actions in Gaza constitute genocide.
The withdrawal reverses the policy of former Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who took a strong pro-Palestinian position during the Gaza war.
Petro announced in May 2024 that Colombia would sever diplomatic relations with Israel, saying his government could not maintain ties with a genocidal government. Colombia also announced plans to open an embassy in Ramallah in the West Bank.
In August 2024, Petro halted Colombian coal exports to Israel, saying the coal was being used to make weapons used against Palestinians in Gaza.
His government had also filed the intervention at the ICJ in April 2024, citing Colombia's status as a party to the Genocide Convention.
The policy changed after Abelardo de la Espriella took office as president in August. His government has moved to restore diplomatic and economic ties with Israel and announced plans to withdraw Colombia's intervention in the ICJ case.
The new government has also moved to reopen Colombia's embassy in Jerusalem and establish a bilateral economic commission with Israel. It has also announced plans for a Colombian delegation to visit Israel in October.
The ICJ has issued several provisional measures in the case since January 2024.
The case remains pending before the Hague-based court, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
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