Bogotá (EFE).- Members of the Group of the Hague committed Wednesday to halting all arms and military equipment transfers to Israel, citing the country’s actions in Gaza as a threat to regional peace and security.
“We agreed to prevent the supply or transfer of weapons, ammunition, military fuel, related equipment, and dual-use goods to Israel, as applicable,” said Colombia’s Vice Minister of Multilateral Affairs, Mauricio Jaramillo Jassir, reading the joint declaration at the group’s ministerial summit in Bogotá.
The Group of The Hague was formed in January by Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal, and South Africa in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
At the Bogotá meeting, additional governments, including Indonesia, Iraq, Libya, Nicaragua, Oman, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, signed onto the declaration.
Signatory states say the embargo is necessary to ensure their industries and institutions “do not contribute the means that enable or facilitate genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, or other violations of international law.”
Additional restrictions on military transport
The declaration also includes maritime and logistical measures.
“We will prevent the transit, docking, or provision of services to vessels within our jurisdiction that are carrying military supplies to Israel,” said Jaramillo.
The group also pledged to block such cargo on ships flying their national flags, and to urgently review public contracts to ensure that “public institutions and funds do not support the illegal occupation of Palestinian territory.”
This declaration follows an earlier January commitment by the group to enforce arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes.
Broader international support
Over 30 countries attended the Bogotá summit, including Brazil, Chile, China, Cuba, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, was also present.
The move comes amid growing international scrutiny of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
While the declaration does not carry the force of international law, it signals increasing diplomatic isolation and aligns with broader efforts to impose accountability.
“The intention is clear: to stop impunity and send a message that international law must be respected,” a senior Latin American diplomat attending the event told EFE on condition of anonymity.
Although Honduras and South Africa did not sign Wednesday’s document, the group signaled it would continue expanding its coalition and pushing for stronger international enforcement mechanisms.
The meeting concludes Wednesday evening, with further discussions expected at the United Nations and the ICC in the coming months. EFE
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