The foreign ministers of South Africa and 19 other countries strongly condemned Colombia’s inauguration of its embassy in Jerusalem. They said the move contravenes relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and undermines international efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace based on a two-State solution.
The ministers reaffirmed that any measure or decision intended to alter the legal or historical status of occupied Jerusalem, or to recognise it as Israel’s capital, is null and void and has no legal effect.
They said this position is consistent with relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, particularly Security Council Resolutions 476 (1980) and 478 (1980). Those resolutions reject attempts to change Jerusalem’s character or status and call on states to withdraw diplomatic missions from the city. The statement describes Jerusalem as part of Palestinian territory occupied in 1967.
