Netanyahu celebrates Colombia's Golan recognition while ignoring deadly earthquake
The Prime Minister released a video in which he thanked the President of Colombia for recognizing Israel's sovereignty. At the same time, Colombia is struggling with a national disaster: 164 dead and over 2,700 missing. Netanyahu did not mention the earthquake even once.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video on Tuesday on Twitter celebrating Colombia's decision to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights. However, throughout his remarks, he did not mention, not even by a single word, the deadly earthquake that struck the South American country and has so far claimed 164 lives.
"Today - the people are with Colombia"
In the video, Netanyahu said: "You remember the phrase 'The people are with the Golan'? So today, the people are with Colombia, because the President of Colombia, our friend, recognized Israel's sovereignty in the Golan Heights. I thank you, Mr. President." The Prime Minister pointed to the flag behind him and added: "The flag of Israel flies here, and it will continue to fly here, because this is our land."
Netanyahu reviewed the historical Jewish connection to the Golan: "We had foundations here back in the days of the cities of refuge of Moses, and dozens of synagogues that we are renovating, up until the eighth century CE." He emphasized: "Today it is ours - it has returned to being ours, and it will always be ours."
The Prime Minister also positioned the Colombian recognition as a second stage in a chain: "The fact that President Trump recognized our sovereignty here, that was an important first step. And today - a second step, to Colombia." He signed off the video with the slogan: "The people are with the Golan - the people are with Colombia."
A national disaster in Colombia
While Netanyahu is congratulating Colombia, the country is dealing with one of the most difficult tragedies in its history. The death toll from the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the west of the country has risen to 164, and over 2,700 people are still missing. Hundreds of buildings collapsed, and rescue teams continue to search through the rubble for survivors.
In the city of Cali, where about 2.2 million residents live, at least 85 people were killed, and the upper floors of a hospital—some of which were designated for treating children—collapsed, leaving dozens of patients trapped. In Pereira, 66 deaths were reported, and in the city of Manizales, one of the towers of the historic cathedral collapsed. Authorities imposed a curfew in the affected cities amid reports of looting.
President Abelardo de la Asprilla, who received compliments from Netanyahu after leading the recognition of Israel's sovereignty, announced that he is taking personal responsibility for managing the emergency and has deployed thousands of security personnel in the affected cities.
Warming ties with Venezuela
Meanwhile, Israel and Venezuela agreed to renew consular relations following talks between Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia. A coordination mechanism will be established to provide consular services to citizens of both countries residing in each other's territory—the first official coordination channel between the two nations since 2009.
The rapprochement stems from humanitarian aid efforts provided by Israel to Venezuela following the double earthquake on June 24, when an Israeli delegation led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Home Front Command was deployed. The joint statement emphasized the importance of the connection between the State of Israel and the Jewish community in Venezuela, which serves as an important bridge of historical friendship between the two countries.
