The Media Line: Saudi Arabia Says Colombia’s Golan Heights Recognition Violates International Law  

Saudi Arabia Says Colombia’s Golan Heights Recognition Violates International Law  

By The Media Line Staff  

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned Colombia’s decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, saying the move violated international law and undermined efforts to achieve peace in the region.  

“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.”  

Riyadh cited UN Security Council Resolution 497 of 1981, which rejected Israel’s decision to apply its laws, jurisdiction, and administration to the Golan Heights.  

“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 … and contribute to the destruction of the efforts made for the achievement of peace in the region,” the statement said.  

Colombia formally recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights on Monday, making it the second UN member state after the United States to take that position.  

President Abelardo de la Espriella, who was sworn in Friday, cited Israel’s security concerns in announcing the change.  

“Given the persistent regional instability in the Middle East and considering the strategic importance of the Golan Heights to Israel’s security, the government of Colombia recognizes Israel’s sovereignty over this territory, as well as the state’s right to defend itself against external threats,” the Colombian government said in a statement on Monday.  

Colombia said Israel has faced security threats along its borders for decades and that those dangers have grown substantially in recent years, culminating in the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.  

De la Espriella has also pledged to restore diplomatic relations with Israel and move Colombia’s embassy to Jerusalem.  

Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War and extended Israeli law, jurisdiction, and administration to the territory in 1981.