‘I’m almost in tears’: Colombia leaves Hague Group as Jerusalem embassy opens

Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar announced Wednesday that his country was withdrawing from the Hague Group, a coalition of countries seeking to take diplomatic, legal and economic measures against Israel over the war in Gaza, as he delivered an emotional speech celebrating the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Speaking at a reception at the Israeli Foreign Ministry after the inauguration of the Colombian embassy in Jerusalem, Bula Escobar called the occasion a “historic event” and said he was struggling to contain his emotions.

“I am almost in tears at this event marking the restoration of relations with Israel, which should never have been severed,” he said in the presence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.

“Today I am announcing Colombia’s withdrawal from the Hague Group, a group of countries that have attacked Israel and worked to isolate it. We oppose this approach.”

The ceremony marked a sea change in relations between Israel and Colombia following the election of President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office in August after defeating the political camp of former President Gustavo Petro, whose government severed diplomatic relations with Israel in 2024 over the Gaza war.

Bula Escobar also emotionally condemned the Hamas massacre of October 7.

“The October 7 massacre was a barbaric attack perpetrated by despicable murderers from a culture of death,” he said. “Colombia stands with the truth and with Israel.”

The Colombian Foreign Minister recounted a meeting Tuesday with former Hamas hostage Elkana Bohbot, who survived captivity in Gaza.

“I presented him with a Colombian passport,” he said. “Survivors are an inspiration to us all.”

The meeting, he added, reminded him of the tragedy Israel endured and what he described as the failures of the previous Colombian government.

“The previous Colombian government behaved shamefully,” he said. “They failed to condemn terrorism and opened the door to an ugly wave of anti-Semitism.”

The reception was also attended by Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, Colombian Ambassador to Israel Tania Gilinski, Israeli Ambassador to Colombia Vivian Aisen and members of the diplomatic corps.

Netanyahu welcomed the restoration of relations, recalling his previous efforts to strengthen Israel’s ties with Latin America.

“No Israeli prime minister in the 70 years of our history has visited South Texas,” he said. “I said that couldn’t be the case, and indeed it was. We went to Colombia, Argentina and Mexico. They were very good and friendly visits. Later we went to Brazil for the inauguration of President Bolsonaro. Who knows, maybe we’ll do it again.”

“The deep sympathy between our peoples has returned,” Netanyahu added. “We want to seize the future together, in agriculture, innovation and artificial intelligence.”

Sa’ar noted that Colombia had become the 10th country to establish an embassy in Jerusalem, describing the opening as a new step in Israel’s diplomatic efforts.

“Our diplomatic struggle is also a struggle for historical truth,” he said. “The campaign against Israel is based on lies and denial, the denial of our rights to our land and our capital.”

“We have no intention of giving up our rights to Jerusalem, which will remain the united capital of Israel,” he added.