Arab League condemns Colombia's opening of an embassy in Jerusalem
Agencies3 min read
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The General Secretariat of the Arab League strongly condemned Colombia's opening of an embassy in the city of Jerusalem, considering this a violation of relevant international legitimacy resolutions and a disregard for the legal and political status of East Jerusalem, which is considered an integral part of the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 and the capital of the State of Palestine.
The Arab League warned of the seriousness of the ramifications of such a step, which came despite warnings and repeated contacts with the Colombian side, in a manner that contradicts the international consensus regarding Jerusalem and prejudices the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people.
It stressed that the legal status of Jerusalem cannot be altered by unilateral measures or diplomatic decisions that violate international law, recalling United Nations Security Council Resolution 478 of 1980, which refused to recognize measures aiming to alter the character and status of Jerusalem and called upon countries to withdraw their diplomatic missions from it, as well as Security Council Resolution 2334 of 2016, which affirmed the non-recognition of any changes to the June 4, 1967 lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, except what is agreed upon by the parties through negotiations.
The League affirmed that relevant international resolutions, including UN General Assembly resolutions, constitute a binding basis for dealing with the issue of Jerusalem, and that any unilateral steps affecting its legal or political status undermine peace efforts and weaken the prospects of reaching a fair and lasting settlement based on the two-state solution.
It reiterated that East Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Palestine, and that a just and comprehensive solution requires the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state along the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
It demanded that Colombia reconsider its decision and reverse it, and commit to the principles of the UN Charter, the rules of international law, and international legitimacy resolutions, emphasizing that respecting the legal status of Jerusalem is an international responsibility and that unilateral steps do not serve peace or stability.
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned in the strongest terms Colombia's decision to open an "embassy" in occupied Jerusalem.
In a statement, the Ministry expressed its categorical rejection of this step, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and relevant international legitimacy resolutions, an undermining of efforts aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive peace, and an attempt to impose a fait accompli that affects the legal and historical status of the occupied city of Jerusalem.
It affirmed that all unilateral measures aimed at changing the legal and historical status of the occupied city of Jerusalem are null and void and have no legal effect, stressing the necessity of respecting relevant international legitimacy resolutions and adhering to the two-state solution as the only way to achieve a just and comprehensive peace that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
