Protesters in Colombia rally against ties with Israel | News
Protests Erupt in Bogotá Over Colombian Government’s Support for Israel
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Bogotá on Wednesday to express their opposition to the Colombian government’s relationship with Israel. The protest was sparked by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the government’s decision to restore diplomatic and economic ties with Israel.
The rally began outside the Israeli embassy, where protesters criticized President Abelardo de la Espriella’s recent announcement to establish a new Colombian embassy in Jerusalem. The demonstration coincided with the three-year anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which prompted Israel to launch military operations in Gaza.
Nicolás Isaza, a participant in the protest, voiced his concerns, stating, “When diplomatic relations with Israel were broken off, the message was that we would not be a nation complicit in their atrocities. Today, our government is no longer drawing a line against the atrocities being committed in Palestine.”
De la Espriella, who took office in August, campaigned on a platform promising stronger relations with both the United States and Israel, citing these alliances as essential in combating armed groups within Colombia. The current administration has moved to restore relations with Israel after former President Gustavo Petro severed ties and halted Israeli arms imports due to criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Additionally, the Colombian government has recognized Israel’s claim over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights shortly after De la Espriella took office.
