BOGOTA: Colombia’s newly appointed hard-right authorities on Monday (Aug 10) recognised Israel’s declare over the Golan Heights, which it captured from Syria in 1967.
America was till now the one nation to recognise Israel’s annexation of the territory in 1981.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella took energy on Friday, following a bombastic marketing campaign throughout which he promised tight relations with the US and Israel as a strategy to fight armed teams in his personal nation.
His international ministry introduced recognition of Israel’s declare on the identical day {that a} powerful earthquake struck western Colombia, killing a minimum of 111 individuals and injuring dozens extra.
“The Authorities of Colombia recognises Israeli sovereignty over this territory, in addition to that State’s proper to guard itself in opposition to exterior threats,” learn a press release printed on X.
“Colombia recognises that sustaining Israel’s management and sovereignty over the Golan Heights is a vital part of its nationwide defence,” it added.
The United Nations maintains that the plateau is Syrian territory beneath Israeli army occupation.
Israel’s International Minister Gideon Saar thanked his “good good friend” De la Espriella for the popularity.
The pair had agreed on the transfer within the Colombian metropolis of Barranquilla, he stated, at some point earlier than De la Espriella’s inauguration.
“Defensible borders are important to ensure the continued existence of the Jewish individuals in our historic homeland,” Saar, who attended the swearing-in, posted on X.
Final month, UN Secretary Basic Antonio Guterres reiterated that the Golan Heights were part of Syria, describing Israeli occupation as “completely unacceptable”.
De la Espriella’s leftist predecessor Gustavo Petro had ardently criticised Israel’s offensive within the Gaza Strip, severing diplomatic relations and halting Israeli arms imports into Colombia.
The US-backed millionaire now in workplace has promised to revive ties.
Final month, he stated he deliberate to open a Colombian embassy in Jerusalem – which Israel regards as its capital, together with the occupied Palestinian half.
This isn’t recognised internationally, nonetheless, and most international locations conduct their diplomatic missions from Tel Aviv.
