Pakistan, 18 other Muslim countries condemn Colombia’s embassy inauguration in Jerusalem

Pakistan and 18 other Muslim 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.

Colombia opened its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, becoming the 10th country to do so, as new President Abelardo de la Espriella reversed his predecessor’s break with Israel by also restoring a free trade agreement between the two countries.

Pakistan, Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, and Turkiye have condemned the move to open the embassy.

In a joint statement issued on Friday, the foreign ministers of the 19 countries rejected any measure intended to alter the legal or historical status of occupied Jerusalem or recognise it as Israel’s capital.

The statement said such measures were “null and void” and had no legal effect, citing relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, particularly Resolutions 476 and 478, adopted in 1980.

The ministers said Jerusalem was part of the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967 and noted that the resolutions rejected attempts to change the city’s character or status and called on states to withdraw their diplomatic missions from it.

They urged the Colombian government to reconsider and reverse its decision, uphold its obligations under international law and refrain from measures that prejudice the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

The ministers also reaffirmed support for the Palestinian people’s right to an independent and sovereign state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.