Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry on Tuesday condemned Colombia’s move to recognize Israel’s claim over the Golan Heights.
– “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s rejection and condemnation of the recognition by the government of the Republic of Colombia of Israel’s sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights,” a statement read, calling the move a “step that is in conflict with international law and legitimate international decisions.”
– It stressed that the decision violated the “explicitness of legitimate UN laws,” pointing to the Security Council’s decision number 497 from the year 1981 which declares Israel’s decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction, and administration on the Golan Heights illegitimate.
– “The Kingdom stresses that stances like these do not contribute to the achievement of peace but rather present a departure from the firm international stance toward the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, lay the foundation for the logic of imposing the fait accompli, and contribute to the destruction of the efforts made for the achievement of peace in the region,” it said.
– The statement further reiterated Riyadh’s position that the Golan Heights are occupied Syrian land, that measures or decisions to change their legal status “do not create truth or add legitimacy to these measures,” calling on Colombia to review its decision and be committed to “international law and legitimate international decisions,” and continue to participate in supporting efforts made to achieve “security, stability and lasting just peace” in the region.
– Colombia’s newly appointed right-wing government under the presidency of Abelardo de la Espriella on Monday recognized Israel’s claim to the Golan Heights, making Colombia only the second country in addition to the US to formally legitimize Israel’s claim to the rocky terrain.
– Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during its victory in the Six-Day War in 1967 and has since occupied them. It went on to annex the territory in 1981.
Qatar condemns Colombia’s backing of Israeli claims over Golan Heights
Qatar has joined a growing list of countries condemning Colombia’s decision to back Israeli claims over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
– Qatar’s Foreign Ministry reiterated its “principled and unwavering position that the Golan Heights is occupied Arab territory, emphasizing the need for Israel to comply with international law and withdraw from all occupied Arab territories, including the Golan Heights” in a post on X.
– “Assisting the occupation in disregarding relevant UN resolutions concerning the occupied Golan Heights, particularly Security Council Resolution 497 of 1981, will not alter the fact that the Golan Heights is occupied Arab territory, and that the imposition of Israeli laws, jurisdiction, and administration on the Golan is null and void and has no legal effect”.
– Earlier on Tuesday, Colombia officially recognised Israel’s claim over the territory, just days after far-right President Abelardo de la Espriella took power.
https://aje.news/suhi9z?update=4847138
Turkiye slams Colombia’s decision to back Israeli claims over Syria’s Golan Heights
Turkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has joined other states in condemning Colombia’s decision to back Israeli claims over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
– In a statement, the ministry said Turkiye strongly condemns “the statement made by Colombia to legitimize the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights, which is an integral part of Syria”.
– “We reiterate our call for the international community to do its part to end Israel’s occupation of southern Syria, including the Golan Heights, and its attacks targeting the country’s sovereignty and stability,” it said.
https://aje.news/suhi9z?update=4847128
Palestine condemns Colombian recognition of Israel’s claim over occupied Golan Heights
– The Palestinian Foreign Ministry has condemned Colombia’s recognition of Israel’s claim over the occupied Golan Heights, saying the region “is an inseparable part of Syria”
– The ministry said on X that the Colombian government’s position is “a flagrant violation of international law, the United Nations Charter, and legitimate international resolutions”.