Israel deploys rescue delegation to Colombia following earthquake

Colombia earthquake Israeli military delegation humanitarian aid controversy search and rescue Cali

An 82-member Israeli military delegation, known as ‘Brit Re’im’ (Alliance of Friends), has arrived in Cali, Colombia, to assist in search and rescue efforts following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake. The group includes engineers, medical professionals, and K9 units from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to help locate missing persons and assess building safety.

While President Abelardo de la Espriella has thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the support, the deployment has sparked intense political controversy within Colombia. Various political sectors and former officials, including former President Gustavo Petro, have criticized the use of military personnel for humanitarian tasks, arguing for civilian-led aid instead.

Colombian legislators and former councilors have called for the immediate withdrawal of the troops. Critics have cited objections to the Israeli government's policies in Gaza and expressed concerns over the conduct of the delegation, specifically targeting IDF spokesperson Roni Kaplan. Some representatives have also reported that local volunteers feel sidelined by the arrival of the Israeli contingent.

Entities

Abelardo De La Espriella · Benjamin Netanyahu · Cali · Colombia · Gustavo Petro · Israel Defense Forces · Roni Kaplan

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 2 SOURCES] Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his support following the earthquake. www.democratienouvelle.ca · www.prensa-latina.cu
[● 2 SOURCES] The Israeli delegation includes engineers who are inspecting damaged buildings to determine safety and serviceability. www.jforum.fr
[○ 1 SOURCE] Israeli spokesperson Roni Kaplan stated that the soldiers are ‘soldiers of peace’ acting in accordance with international humanitarian law. www.democratienouvelle.ca
[● 2 SOURCES] Colombian legislator Santiago Osorio demanded the withdrawal of Israeli troops, citing objections to the Israeli government's actions in Gaza. www.telesurenglish.net · www.prensa-latina.cu
[● 5 SOURCES] An 82-member Israeli military delegation has arrived in Cali, Colombia, to assist in search and rescue operations following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake. www.jforum.fr · www.telesurenglish.net · www.democratienouvelle.ca · www.prensa-latina.cu
[○ 1 SOURCE] Former Bogotá city councilor Carlos Carrillo denounced spokesperson Roni Kaplan for his previous political statements regarding Gaza. www.telesurenglish.net
[● 2 SOURCES] Representative María Fernanda Carrascal reported complaints from Pereira and Cali regarding the conduct of Israeli personnel and the sidelining of local volunteers. www.telesurenglish.net · www.prensa-latina.cu
[○ 1 SOURCE] Former President Gustavo Petro criticized the use of military personnel for humanitarian work, suggesting Colombia requires civilian or medical aid instead. www.democratienouvelle.ca