Colombia withdraws its ICJ intervention in Gaza genocide case

Colombia has withdrawn its Article 63 declaration of intervention in South Africa’s Gaza genocide case against Israel, according to the International Court of Justice.

In a statement, the ICJ said Colombia informed the court about its decision on 18 September.

According to the ICJ, Article 63 gives states that are not parties to a dispute the right to intervene when the case concerns the construction of a convention to which they are also parties.

It added that the court's interpretation of the relevant parts of that convention in its decision will then be equally binding on those states.

Colombia's move does not affect the proceedings in the case, which South Africa brought against Israel in December 2023.

Under President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office on August 7, Colombia has reversed several policies adopted during the previous government led by Gustavo Petro, which backed Palestinian rights and repeatedly condemned Israel’s war on Gaza.