Saudi Arabia, 18 nations condemn Colombia's embassy opening in Jerusalem
RIYADH — The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and 18 other Arab and Islamic countries strongly condemned Colombia's decision to inaugurate its embassy in Jerusalem, calling the move a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and a setback to international efforts to achieve a two-st
RIYADH — The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and 18 other Arab and Islamic countries strongly condemned Colombia's decision to inaugurate its embassy in Jerusalem, calling the move a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and a setback to international efforts to achieve a two-state solution.In a joint statement issued Friday, the ministers expressed their unequivocal rejection of the decision, stressing that any attempt to alter the legal or historical status of occupied Jerusalem or recognize it as Israel's capital is null and void and has no legal effect.The statement was issued by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Algeria, Djibouti, Sudan, Syria, Somalia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Egypt and Yemen.The ministers said Colombia's decision contravenes relevant UN Security Council resolutions and undermines international efforts to establish a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution.They specifically cited UN Security Council Resolutions 476 and 478, adopted in 1980, which reject attempts to change Jerusalem's character or status and call on countries to withdraw their diplomatic missions from the city.The ministers reaffirmed that Jerusalem forms part of the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967 and that unilateral measures affecting its status have no legal validity under international law.They called on the Colombian government to reconsider and reverse its decision, comply with its obligations under international law and refrain from actions that undermine the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.The statement reiterated support for the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent, sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital.