In a major diplomatic milestone, the Republic of Colombia officially inaugurated its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, October 14, becoming the tenth country to establish an embassy in Israel’s capital. The move simultaneously highlighted strengthening diplomatic ties between Colombia and Israel, and a global shift towards Jerusalem, with the number of foreign embassies in the city doubling in the last two years.
The inauguration ceremony at the Embassy was attended by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar. On Wednesday evening an official reception marking the occasion was hosted at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, along with senior diplomats and distinguished guests from both countries.
During the evening reception, Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar announced that Colombia has officially submitted a request to withdraw from "The Hague Group" of countries that have pursued legal measures against Israel, with the minister stating: “Today, Colombia officially requested to withdraw from 'The Hague Group'—a group created to isolate and attack Israel. We reject this approach.” Noting the emphasis of the new Colombian government on combatting antisemitism, Escobar stressed that “The government of President Abelardo de la Espriella, this Foreign Ministry, and this Foreign Minister will not remain silent...We will not allow it."
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar noted in his speech that the embassy move had been an important objective for President of Colombia Abelardo de la Espriella , with the president promising Sa’ar in November 2025 'If I am elected President of the Republic, I will immediately move the Embassy of Colombia to Jerusalem,' and delivering on his promise almost immediately.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the audience on this momentous occasion, placing the embassy opening in the context of the vibrant and growing friendship between Israel and Latin American countries, with four of the countries that have already opened embassies in Jerusalem coming from the region. Netanyahu noted many shared interests: “We want to seize the future together with security, with agriculture, with water, with AI, with everything, with everything. We want to make it grow, not only the crops, the people, the children. Give hope.” Netanyahu also said that Jerusalem was the ideal place to celebrate Israeli-Colombian friendship, as “the pulsating heart of the Jewish people for three millennia…our past, it's our future, it's our hope, it's our faith.”
Diplomacy.co.il and www.diariojudio.com extends its congratulations the nation of Colombia on opening its new embassy and success for the continued growth of bilateral relations between Israel and Colombia.
