Saudi, Islamic foreign ministers condemn Colombia embassy opening in Jerusalem
Saudi Arabia and other Islamic and Arab foreign ministers condemned Colombia's opening of an embassy in Jerusalem, calling it a violation of international law.
Key Takeaways
AIForeign ministers of Saudi Arabia and several Islamic and Arab countries have strongly condemned Colombia’s decision to open its embassy in Jerusalem, expressing their firm rejection of the move, which they said contravenes relevant UN Security Council resolutions and undermines international efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution.
In a joint statement, the ministers stressed that any action or decision aimed at altering the legal or historical status of occupied Jerusalem, or recognizing it as Israel’s capital, is null and void and carries no legal effect.
Commitment to UN resolutions reaffirmed
The ministers said their position aligns with Security Council and UN General Assembly resolutions, especially Resolutions 476 and 478 of 1980, which reject attempts to change the character or status of Jerusalem and call on states to withdraw their diplomatic missions from the city, which is considered part of the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967.
Call for Colombia to reverse decision
The ministers, including representatives from Palestine, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Algeria, Djibouti, Sudan, Syria, Somalia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Egypt, and Yemen, urged the Colombian government to reconsider and reverse its decision, and to fulfill its obligations under international law.
They also called on Colombia to refrain from any measures that would undermine the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.