Diplomatic Spat Negatively Affects Israeli-Colombian Defense Ties

Written by Joseph Cain | October 22, 2023

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On October 15^th, Israel suspended all sales and supplies of both defense and security hardware to the Republic of Colombia after a public row between the Israeli Ambassador Gali Dagan and Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva. Ambassador Dagan had urged the Colombian administration to condemn the October 7^th acts of terrorism committed by Hamas in southern Israel. However, President Petro refused to condemn Hamas and responded to the Ambassador on social media platform to criticize Israeli polices towards Palestine and likened them to Nazi policies during the Holocaust. After receiving criticism internationally, President Petro refused to yield and stated that he would suspend relations with Israel if necessary. Foreign Minister Leyva also suggested that Ambassador Dagan should apologize and leave Colombia. In response, Israel summoned the Colombian Ambassador to inform her that defense cooperation between the two states had been suspended.

Israel and Colombia have had deep security ties over the years and Colombia utilizes Israeli equipment and technology across its military force. The loss of Israeli support, even temporarily, could severely impact the maintenance and production of key military equipment. The Colombian Air Force’s primary fighter jets are its 22 Israeli Kfir jets and the primary weapon systems attached to those fighters are of Israeli origin as well. Maintenance on Colombia’s Kfir fleet is provided by the Israeli manufacturer IAI to keep them flying. Meanwhile, Israel has an agreement in place that allows Colombia to produce Galil rifles, which are the main infantry rifles of the Colombian military, according to Defense News.