The decision by the Colombian government to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, an occupied Syrian territory, has been met with sharp condemnation from Arab nations and international organizations.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the foreign ministries of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, and Lebanon, alongside the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), have rejected Colombia's move, labeling it a violation of international law.
In an official statement, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Colombia's decision contradicts fundamental principles of international law, specifically citing United Nations Security Council Resolution 497, adopted in 1981. Kuwait and Jordan reaffirmed that the Golan Heights remain an integral part of Syria, asserting that the occupation of the territory cannot be legitimized under any circumstances. Lebanese officials also stressed the necessity of respecting Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The Secretary-General of the Arab League stated that Colombia's decision holds no legal standing. He noted that sovereignty acquired through occupation cannot be considered legitimate under international law and urged the Colombian government to reconsider its position. Furthermore, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, warned that such acts of recognition undermine ongoing efforts to ensure peace and security in the region.
The Golan Heights, a strategic plateau, have been a focal point of the Arab-Israeli conflict for decades. The territory was captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and subsequently annexed in 1981, a move that remains unrecognized by the vast majority of the international community, which views the area as occupied Syrian land. Colombia announced its controversial decision on August 10.
