Indonesia, Islamic nations decry Colombia’s embassy move to Jerusalem

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3 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia, alongside a coalition of Arab and Islamic nations, has strongly condemned Colombia’s decision to relocate its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, warning that the move violates international law and threatens Middle East peace.

The joint condemnation was issued by the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Egypt, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Qatar, Türkiye, Yemen, and Jordan.

“The ministers express their unequivocal rejection of the inauguration by the Republic of Colombia of its embassy in Jerusalem, a step that contravenes relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions,” the joint statement, released via social media by the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, read.

The ministers asserted that the relocation undermines international efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution.

They stressed that any measures or decision intended to alter the legal or historical status of occupied Jerusalem, or to recognize it as Israel’s capital, is null and void and has no legal effect.

Citing United Nations Security Council Resolutions 476 and 478, adopted in 1980, the coalition said the resolutions rejected changes to Jerusalem’s status and called on countries to withdraw diplomatic missions from the territory occupied since 1967.

“The foreign ministers call upon the Colombian government to reconsider and reverse the decision,” the statement read.

The ministers also urged Bogotá to uphold its obligations under international law and refrain from measures that prejudice the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Colombia officially inaugurated its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday (October 14).

According to China’s Xinhua News Agency, the opening ceremony was broadcast live and attended by Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar and senior Israeli officials.

The move makes Colombia the 10th country to establish an embassy in Jerusalem, according to the report.

The diplomatic shift follows a period of strained bilateral relations. Bogotá and Tel Aviv formally severed diplomatic ties in May 2024 under former Colombian President Gustavo Petro, before relations were restored under his successor, Abelardo de la Espriella.

In addition to relocating its embassy, Colombia recently became the second country after the United States to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a Syrian territory internationally recognized as occupied by Israel.