Arab League condemns Colombia's opening of an embassy in Jerusalem, calls for reversal of the decision

Cairo, October 14 (KUNA) -- The Arab League condemned on Wednesday Colombia’s opening of an embassy in Jerusalem, calling on the country to reverse the decision for violating international legal resolutions concerning East Jerusalem, which is part of the occupied Palestinian territories and the capital of the State of Palestine. In a press statement, the League warned of the repercussions of this step, stating that it contradicts the international consensus on Jerusalem and infringes upon the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, despite repeated warnings and communications with the Colombian side. It stressed that the legal status of Jerusalem cannot be altered through unilateral measures or diplomatic decisions contrary to international law, recalling Security Council Resolution 478 (1980), which rejected measures aimed at changing the character and status of the city and called on states to withdraw their diplomatic missions from it. It also referred to Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016), which affirmed that no changes to the lines of June 4, 1967, including those relating to Jerusalem, are to be recognized unless agreed upon by both parties through negotiations. The 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. It reiterated that East Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Palestine, and that a just and comprehensive solution requires the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legal resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. The Arab League called on Colombia to reconsider and reverse its decision, and to adhere to the principles of the UN Charter, the rules of international law, and resolutions of international legitimacy, affirming that respecting the legal status of Jerusalem is an international responsibility and that unilateral steps do not serve peace and stability. (End) M.M. / M.A.A.