19 countries condemn Colombia’s embassy opening in Jerusalem
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- Foreign ministers from 19 countries, including Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt and Palestine, strongly condemned Colombia’s opening of an embassy in Jerusalem.
- The ministers called on Colombia to reverse the decision, reaffirming that East Jerusalem must be the capital of an independent Palestinian state.
Foreign ministers from 19 countries have strongly condemned Colombia’s decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem, saying the move violates relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and undermines international efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Algeria, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Somalia, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Egypt and Yemen expressed their unequivocal rejection of the decision.
The ministers said the move contradicts international resolutions concerning Jerusalem’s status and risks undermining efforts to establish a lasting peace based on the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside ‘Israel’.
The statement reaffirmed that any measure or decision intended to alter the historical and legal status of occupied Jerusalem, or recognize the city as the capital of ‘Israel’, is null and void and carries no legal effect.
The ministers said their position was consistent with relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, particularly Resolutions 476 and 478, adopted in 1980.
The two resolutions reject attempts to alter Jerusalem’s character or status. They also address the legal consequences of measures taken by ‘Israel’ concerning the city and call on countries to withdraw their diplomatic missions from Jerusalem.
The ministers emphasized that Jerusalem is part of the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967, reiterating their rejection of unilateral measures that seek to change its status.
The foreign ministers called on the Colombian government to reconsider its decision and reverse it, urging Bogotá to fulfill its obligations under international law.
They also called on Colombia to refrain from taking measures that undermine the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish an independent and sovereign Palestinian state.
The statement specifically reaffirmed that East Jerusalem must be the capital of the future Palestinian state.
The ministers’ position reflects their opposition to diplomatic steps that recognize Jerusalem as the capital of ‘Israel’ or imply recognition of changes to the city’s status under occupation.
Two-state solution remains central to ministers’ position
The joint statement linked the embassy decision to broader international efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace through a two-state solution.
The ministers said actions that seek to change Jerusalem’s historical and legal status undermine those efforts and conflict with relevant UN resolutions.
They reiterated their support for Palestinian statehood and the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The statement concluded with a call for Colombia to reverse its decision and respect international law and the rights of the Palestinian people.
