Foreign ministers urge Bogotá to reverse decision, reaffirm East Jerusalem as capital of an independent Palestinian state
Foreign ministers from 19 countries have strongly condemned Colombia’s inauguration of its embassy in Jerusalem, saying the move contravenes 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 ministers rejected the move and called on the Colombian government to reconsider and reverse its decision, uphold its obligations under international law, and refrain from actions that could prejudice the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
The statement was issued by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria, Sudan and Türkiye.
The ministers reaffirmed that any measure intended to change the legal or historical status of occupied Jerusalem, or recognise the city as Israel’s capital, is null and void and has no legal effect.
They said their position was consistent with relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, particularly Security Council Resolutions 476 and 478, both adopted in 1980.
These resolutions reject attempts to alter Jerusalem’s character and status and call on states to withdraw diplomatic missions from the city, which forms part of the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967.
The ministers stressed that actions affecting Jerusalem’s status risk undermining international efforts to secure a negotiated settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
They also reiterated their support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish an independent and sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The statement urged Colombia to respect international law and avoid unilateral measures that could complicate efforts to achieve a lasting and peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Jerusalem’s status remains one of the most sensitive and contested issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The international community has repeatedly emphasised the need to resolve the city’s final status through negotiations in accordance with relevant UN resolutions.
The ministers’ joint position underscores their opposition to unilateral changes to Jerusalem’s status and their continued support for a two-state solution as the basis for achieving a just and lasting peace.
