19 Countries, Including Kuwait, Condemn Colombia’s Embassy Opening in Jerusalem

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 16: The foreign ministers of 19 countries, including Kuwait, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan, have strongly condemned Colombia’s inauguration of its embassy in Jerusalem, calling on the government in Bogota to reverse the decision.

In a joint statement issued by Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, October 16, the ministers expressed their “unequivocal rejection” of the move, saying it contravenes relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and undermines international efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution.

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

The ministers reaffirmed their position that any measure or decision intended to alter 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 specifically cited UN Security Council Resolutions 476 and 478, both adopted in 1980, which address attempts to change Jerusalem’s character and status and call for the withdrawal of diplomatic missions from the city.

Describing Jerusalem as part of the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967, the ministers urged the Colombian government to reconsider and reverse its decision, uphold its obligations under international law and refrain from measures they said would prejudice the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

They also reiterated their support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Colombia officially inaugurated its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, October 14, in a move that marked a significant shift in its diplomatic policy towards Israel. The ceremony was attended by Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.

The opening followed the restoration of diplomatic relations between Colombia and Israel after former Colombian president Gustavo Petro severed ties in 2024 over Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

Jerusalem remains one of the central issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel considers the city its capital, while Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Most countries maintain their embassies to Israel in Tel Aviv, leaving the city’s final status to be resolved through negotiations.

The latest joint statement adds to international diplomatic opposition to moves that could prejudge the status of Jerusalem before a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.