Colombia should reverse its decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem, foreign ministers from 18 Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, said in a joint condemnation of the move.
In a joint statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Friday, the ministers expressed their “categorical rejection” of Colombia’s decision and said any attempt to change the legal or historical status of “occupied” Jerusalem was invalid under international law.
The statement was issued by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Algeria, Djibouti, Sudan, Syria, Somalia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Egypt and Yemen.
According to the ministers, any action or decision recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital was “null and void” and carried no legal effect. They said that position was consistent with relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.
Colombia opened its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, becoming the 10th country with an embassy in the Israeli capital as the two countries restore diplomatic relations following the election of President Abelardo de la Espriella.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and visiting Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar attended the inauguration on October 14, 2026.
The foreign ministers urged the Colombian government to reconsider the embassy opening and reverse its decision. They also called on Bogotá to uphold its obligations under international law and avoid measures they said could undermine the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
Their statement reiterated support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The joint declaration represents a coordinated response by the participating governments to Colombia’s decision to establish its diplomatic mission in Jerusalem, with the ministers focusing their objections on the city’s legal and historical status and their position on Palestinian statehood.
