ISTANBUL: Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Algeria released statements Wednesday condemning Colombia's opening of an embassy in West Jerusalem, saying it violates international law and undermines Jerusalem's legal and historical status, Anadolu Ajansi reported.
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry said the kingdom condemns and rejects the move.
The ministry stressed that any measures or decisions aimed at changing the status or legal standing of Jerusalem are "null and void, illegitimate and without legal effect."
It said the only way to achieve a just and comprehensive peace is to establish an independent, sovereign Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry also condemned the move, describing it as a "blatant violation of international law and relevant international resolutions."
It said the move contradicts the established international position on Jerusalem's legal and historical status.
Riyadh renewed its demand for the international community, including the UN Security Council and all concerned parties, to fulfil their "legal and moral responsibilities" and act urgently to halt "illegal Israeli policies aimed at imposing a new reality by force and undermining prospects for a just and lasting peace."
Algeria issued a similar statement, calling the move a flagrant violation of international law and relevant UN resolutions.
The Algerian Foreign Ministry warned that the decision could undermine the two-state solution and fuel regional tensions, jeopardising efforts to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.
It also urged the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to take urgent action against attempts to impose a new reality in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Earlier Wednesday, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said Colombia's opening of the embassy violated international law and relevant UN resolutions, calling on the country to reverse the move.
On Aug. 28, 1980, Colombia informed the United Nations that, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 478 (1980), it would transfer its diplomatic mission from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv.
On Oct 14, 2026, Colombia opened its embassy in Jerusalem, reversing that relocation 46 years later.
Resolution 478, adopted on Aug 20, 1980, calls on states not to recognise Israeli measures aimed at changing the character and legal status of Jerusalem and urges countries that had established diplomatic missions in the city to withdraw them.
In addition to Colombia, the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Fiji, Nauru and Somaliland have established embassies in Jerusalem.
Somaliland is a self-governing territory whose independence is recognised by Israel but not broadly internationally recognised.
Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and is widely regarded as one of its most sensitive issues.
While Israel claims the entire city as its capital, Palestinians view East Jerusalem – occupied by Israel since 1967 – as the capital of a future Palestinian state, in line with longstanding international consensus and UN resolutions.
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