Oman Condemns Colombia’s Jerusalem Embassy Move

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 17, 2026

Eighteen Arab and Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia and Oman, jointly condemned Colombia’s recent opening of its embassy in Jerusalem and urged the government to reverse the decision. They argued the move violates UN Security Council resolutions and undermines efforts toward a two-state solution, highlighting persistent regional opposition to altering Jerusalem’s status.

Muscat and Riyadh—Eighteen Arab and Islamic countries, including Oman and Saudi Arabia, have issued a joint condemnation of Colombia’s recent decision to open its embassy in Jerusalem, urging Bogotá to reverse the move. The embassy inauguration took place on Wednesday following President Abelardo de la Espriella’s restoration of diplomatic relations with Israel, a reversal of the break under his predecessor Gustavo Petro, which had been implemented amid tensions related to the Gaza conflict.

In a statement released on Friday, the foreign ministers emphasized that Colombia’s embassy opening in Jerusalem contravenes United Nations Security Council resolutions and undermines ongoing international efforts to achieve a lasting peace based on a two-state solution. The statement specifically referenced Security Council resolutions 476 and 478, adopted in 1980, which reject changes to the legal status of Jerusalem and call for the withdrawal of diplomatic missions from the city.

The ministers underscored that any attempts to alter Jerusalem’s legal or historical status or to officially recognize the city as Israel’s capital have no legal effect under international law. They urged Colombia to comply with its international obligations and reaffirmed their commitment to the rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The joint declaration was signed by foreign ministers from a broad coalition of countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Türkiye, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the State of Palestine, illustrating widespread regional opposition to Colombia’s embassy move.

Colombia’s decision reflects a shift in its foreign policy toward Israel following the previous administration's diplomatic rupture during heightened hostilities in Gaza. However, the opening of the embassy in Jerusalem has drawn immediate criticism from the Arab and Islamic bloc, which views the action as conflicting with long-standing international consensus on Jerusalem’s status and peace process parameters.

As of now, Colombia has not publicly responded to the joint statement, and it remains unclear whether the government intends to reconsider its position on the embassy’s location. The development adds to the complex diplomatic landscape surrounding Jerusalem, a focal point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.