Netanyahu thanks Colombia for recognizing Israeli sovereignty over Golan, neglects to mention deadly quake

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posts a video thanking Colombia for recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, but does not mention the deadly earthquake that hit the South American country this week.

“The nation is with Colombia,” he says, echoing the 1990s slogan “The nation is with the Golan” that called for Israel not to give up the plateau.

“The Israeli flag flies here,” he says, pointing at a map of the Golan, “and it will continue to fly here. Because this is our land.”

Yesterday, Colombia became the second country after the US to recognize Israel’s control over the Golan.

The announcement came just days after the inauguration as the nation’s president of pro-Israel lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella, who has pledged to move the Colombian embassy to Jerusalem and restore once-vibrant ties, which soured during the Gaza war under former president Gustavo Petro. The inauguration was attended by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, amid a push for closer relations with Latin America.

It also came just hours after a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, killing at least 170 people and injuring hundreds more, prompting Israel to offer its assistance.

Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Syria all condemned the recognition.

העם ???????? עם קולומביה ????????! pic.twitter.com/2eO9t1n69j

— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) August 11, 2026