Colombia Becomes Second Country To Recognize Israeli Sovereignty Over Golan Heights
Colombia on Monday officially recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, becoming the second UN member state after the United States to do so.
President Abelardo de la Espriella, who was sworn in on Friday, has made bold moves to rebuild his country’s relationship with Israel and reverse the policies of his predecessor, Gustavo Petro.
“Given the persistent regional instability in the Middle East and considering the strategic importance of the Golan Heights to Israel’s security, the government of Colombia recognizes Israel’s sovereignty over this territory, as well as the state’s right to defend itself against external threats,” the Colombian government said in a statement on Monday
De la Espriella has pledged to restore diplomatic ties with Israel and relocate Colombia’s embassy to Jerusalem.
In announcing the Golan Heights position, Colombia cited decades of security threats facing Israel along its borders and said the dangers had intensified significantly in recent years, culminating in the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.
“In this regional security context, Colombia recognizes that maintaining Israeli control and sovereignty over the Golan Heights constitutes an essential component of its national security and its ability to defend its citizens and safeguard their security,” the government said.
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War and extended Israeli law, jurisdiction and administration to the territory in 1981.
Most of the international community does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar thanked De la Espriella for what he described as a “historic decision,” which he said followed their meeting Thursday.
“I thank Colombia and my good friend, the President of Colombia, Abelardo De La Espriella, for his historic decision to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights,” Sa’ar wrote on X.
Sa’ar also thanked Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar: “Israel is a small country without strategic depth,” Sa’ar said. “Having defensible borders is essential for Israel in order to guarantee the existence of the Jewish people in its historic homeland.”