Cairo, October 14, 2026 (WAFA) – The League of Arab States condemned on Wednesday Colombia’s decision to officially open an embassy in occupied Jerusalem.
In a statement, the League General Secretariat described the move as a violation of relevant UN resolutions and a disregard for the legal and political status of East Jerusalem, which is part of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967 and the capital of the State of Palestine.
It warned of the serious repercussions of such a move, which came despite repeated warnings and communications with the Colombian side. It said the move contradicts the international consensus on Jerusalem and undermines the Palestinian people’s legitimate national rights.
It stressed that the legal status of Jerusalem cannot be altered through unilateral measures or diplomatic decisions that violate international law.
In this regard, it recalled UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 478 (1980), which determines that “all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, which have altered or purport to alter the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and in particular the recent "basic law" on Jerusalem, are null and void and must be rescinded forthwith.”
It also cited UNSC Resolution 2334 (2016) stipulating that the UNSC “will not recognize any changes to the 4 June 1967 lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties through negotiations.”
The Arab body affirmed that relevant international resolutions, including those adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, constitute a binding basis for addressing the issue of Jerusalem. It warned that any unilateral measures affecting the city’s legal or political status undermine peace efforts and diminish the prospects of reaching a just 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 June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law, UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
It called on the Republic of Colombia to reconsider and reverse its decision and to abide by the principles of the UN Charter, UN resolutions, and the rules of international law. It stressed that respecting the legal status of Jerusalem is an international responsibility and that unilateral measures serve neither peace nor stability.
K.F.
