League of Arab States Condemns Colombia’s Opening of an Embassy in Jerusalem

The League of Arab States expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the Republic of Colombia's opening of an embassy in the city of Jerusalem, considering this action a violation of relevant resolutions of international legitimacy and a disregard for the legal and political status of East Jerusalem, which forms part of the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 and is the capital of the State of Palestine.

The League of Arab States warns of the serious repercussions of such a step, taken despite repeated warnings and communications with the Colombian side, in contradiction with the international consensus regarding Jerusalem and in violation of the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people.

The League of Arab States stresses that the legal status of Jerusalem cannot be altered through unilateral measures or diplomatic decisions that contravene international law.

In this context, it recalls United Nations Security Council Resolution 478 (1980), which rejected recognition of measures aimed at altering the character and status of Jerusalem and called upon States to withdraw their diplomatic missions from the city.

It also recalls Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016), which reaffirmed that no changes to the lines of 4 June 1967, including with regard to Jerusalem, shall be recognised other than those agreed by the parties through negotiations.

The League of Arab States further affirms that the relevant international resolutions, including those adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, constitute a binding basis for addressing the question of Jerusalem, and that any unilateral measures affecting its legal or political status undermine peace efforts and weaken the prospects of achieving a just and lasting settlement based on the two-State solution.

The League of Arab States reiterates that East Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Palestine and that a just and comprehensive solution requires the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State on the basis of the lines of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative.

The League of Arab States calls upon the Republic of Colombia to reconsider and reverse its decision and to uphold the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the rules of international law and the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy.

It emphasises that respect for the legal status of Jerusalem is an international responsibility and that unilateral measures serve neither peace nor stability.

Unofficial translation