Colombia Opens Embassy in Jerusalem and Restores Israel Ties
President Abelardo de la Espriella restored diplomatic relations with Israel and opened an embassy in Jerusalem, sparking international condemnation and domestic protests in Colombia.
The Government of Colombia officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem on October 14, 2026, becoming the tenth country to establish a diplomatic mission in the city. Led by President Abelardo de la Espriella, the move restores diplomatic ties and a free trade agreement that former President Gustavo Petro had severed in 2024 due to the war in Gaza.
During the inauguration, Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar announced the country's withdrawal from the Hague Group, a coalition that had pursued legal and economic measures against Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar welcomed the restoration of ties as a diplomatic milestone and an opportunity for future cooperation in technology and agriculture.
The decision triggered immediate international backlash. The Arab League, the Arab Parliament, the Government of Egypt, and the Government of Qatar condemned the move as a violation of international law and UN Security Council Resolutions 478 and 2334. These entities argued that the embassy undermines Palestinian rights and threatens the legal status of East Jerusalem.
Domestically, the policy shift sparked nationwide protests in Colombia. Thousands of demonstrators in Bogota gathered to condemn the administration's alignment with U.S. President Donald Trump and to protest Israel's military actions in Gaza.
