Colombia pulls its ICJ intervention request in South Africa's Gaza genocide suit
Colombia notified the International Court of Justice on 18 September that it is withdrawing its Article 63 intervention in South Africa's case against Israel over Gaza.
On 18 September, Colombia communicated to the International Court of Justice its decision to retract the Article 63 declaration that would have allowed it to intervene in South Africa's genocide case against Israel concerning Gaza. Article 63 permits states not directly involved in a dispute to take part when the case involves a convention to which they are also parties, and any judicial interpretation then applies to them as well.
The court confirmed that Colombia's withdrawal will not affect the substantive progress of the case, which was filed in December 2023. This move reflects the policy reversal undertaken by President Abelardo de la Espriella since taking office on 7 August, undoing several initiatives championed by his predecessor Gustavo Petro that supported Palestinian rights and condemned Israel's military actions in Gaza.
