Widespread Arab and Islamic Condemnation of Colombia Opening Embassy in Occupied Jerusalem

Colombia’s decision to open its embassy in occupied Jerusalem yesterday sparked a wave of widespread Arab and Islamic condemnation, with officials stressing that the move constitutes a violation of international law and relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, and interferes with the legal and historical status of the city, while calling on Bogota to reverse its decision.

Saudi Arabia expressed its condemnation and rejection yesterday of Colombia’s opening of an “embassy” in occupied Jerusalem, deeming it a blatant violation of international law and relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, and a direct interference with the legal and historical status of occupied Jerusalem. In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this step contradicts the firm international position regarding the legal and historical status of Jerusalem. The Kingdom renewed its call on the international community, including the Security Council and all concerned parties, to fulfill their legal and moral responsibilities and take urgent action to halt illegal Israeli policies aimed at imposing a new reality by force and undermining prospects for a just and lasting peace.

For its part, Egypt strongly condemned Colombia’s decision, affirming its firm rejection of this step, which represents a violation of international law and relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement yesterday that this move undermines efforts to achieve just and comprehensive peace and constitutes an attempt to impose a fait accompli that interferes with the legal and historical status of occupied Jerusalem. Egypt emphasized that all unilateral measures aimed at changing the legal and historical status of the holy city are null and void and carry no legal effect. It reiterated the necessity of respecting relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and adhering to the two-state solution as the only path to achieving just and comprehensive peace, ensuring the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates also strongly condemned the step yesterday, stating in a press release that it constitutes a blatant violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, and an attack on the Palestinian people and their just and legitimate national rights. It affirmed that all measures and decisions aimed at changing the legal and historical status of occupied Jerusalem are null and void and carry no legal effect. The ministry stressed that opening an embassy with the Israeli occupation in occupied Jerusalem constitutes a violation of resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, undermines international consensus on the legal status of the holy city, and infringes upon the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, while also encouraging the occupation authorities to continue their colonial policies and attempts to impose illegal facts on the ground. The ministry called on the Colombian government to comply with international law, respect relevant United Nations resolutions, and reverse this step to preserve prospects for achieving just and comprehensive peace based on ending the long-standing Israeli occupation and realizing the independence of the State of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital.

For its part, the Arab League condemned Colombia’s decision and called on it to reverse it, citing its contradiction of international resolutions concerning East Jerusalem, which is part of the occupied Palestinian territories and the capital of the State of Palestine. In a press release, the League warned of the repercussions of this step, stating that it contradicts international consensus on Jerusalem and interferes with the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, despite repeated warnings and communications with the Colombian side. It emphasized that the legal status of Jerusalem cannot be changed through unilateral measures or decisions.

A diplomatic move contrary to international law, referencing UN Security Council Resolution 478 of 1980, which rejected recognition of measures aimed at altering the character and status of the city and called on states to withdraw their diplomatic missions from it. It also referred to UN Security Council Resolution 2334 of 2016, which affirmed that no changes to the June 4, 1967 lines, including those concerning Jerusalem, are to be recognized unless agreed upon by both parties through negotiations. The Arab League emphasized that any unilateral steps affecting the legal or political status of Jerusalem undermine peace efforts and weaken the prospects of reaching a just and permanent settlement based on the two-state solution.

For his part, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed expressed strong condemnation of Colombia’s decision yesterday, stating in a press release that this step constitutes a blatant violation of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 478 (1980), which called on all countries to withdraw their diplomatic missions from the holy city. He affirmed that all legislative and administrative measures taken by the Israeli occupation aimed at altering the character and status of Jerusalem are null and void and must be revoked. He further highlighted the OIC’s absolute rejection of any positions, decisions, or actions that could contribute to entrenching the illegal Israeli occupation or the alleged Israeli sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem, or that could undermine international efforts to achieve a just and permanent peace based on the two-state solution vision.