Egypt and 18 other Arab and Islamic countries have condemned Colombia’s decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem. In a joint statement published on October 16, the foreign ministers said the move went against United Nations resolutions and could weaken efforts to reach a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
The statement was issued by Egypt, Palestine, Türkiye, Djibouti, Lebanon, Libya, Yemen, Qatar, Jordan, Somalia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Algeria, Oman, Syria, Sudan and Pakistan. The ministers rejected measures they believe could change the legal or historical status of Jerusalem. They said such steps should not affect the rights of the Palestinian people.
The countries referred to United Nations Security Council resolutions that oppose attempts to change the status of the city. They argued that decisions about diplomatic missions should respect international law and the position set out in earlier UN resolutions. The ministers also called on Colombia to review and reverse its decision.
Jerusalem remains one of the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Both Israelis and Palestinians claim the city as central to their national and historical identity. Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state, while Israel considers Jerusalem its capital. The city’s status has long been a major obstacle in peace negotiations.
The joint statement shows that the issue continues to unite a wide group of countries, even as governments differ on other regional matters. By speaking together, the ministers sought to increase diplomatic pressure on Colombia and reinforce their support for a two-state solution.
The statement does not itself change Colombia’s policy. Any change would depend on decisions by the Colombian government. The dispute adds another diplomatic issue to the wider international debate over Jerusalem, Palestinian statehood and the rules that govern relations between states.
