Colombia became the 10th country or entity to establish a diplomatic mission in occupied Jerusalem after opening its embassy on Wednesday.
Qatar has condemned Colombia’s opening of an embassy to Israel in occupied Jerusalem, describing the move as a violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
“Qatar expresses its condemnation and denunciation of Colombia’s opening of its embassy to Israel in the occupied city of Jerusalem, considering this step a violation of international law and relevant international legitimacy resolutions, particularly UN Security Council Resolution 478 of 1980,” Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a statement on Thursday.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms Qatar’s rejection of any measures that would alter the legal and historical status of the city of Jerusalem,” the statement added.
Qatar also called on the international community to counter attempts to impose a new reality in occupied Jerusalem and safeguard the city’s legal and historical status, as well as the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
Colombia opened its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, 14 October, becoming the 10th country or entity to establish a diplomatic mission in the occupied city, joining the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Kosovo, Nauru and Somaliland.
The move followed Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella’s restoration of diplomatic ties with Israel, reversing his predecessor Gustavo Petro’s decision to sever relations in 2024.
Adopted in 1980, UN Security Council Resolution 478 called on states to withdraw their diplomatic missions from Jerusalem following Israel’s enactment of a law declaring the city its “complete and united” capital.