Colombia's Recognition of Israeli Sovereignty over Golan Heights Sparks Saudi Outrage

Colombia has become the second country in the world, after the United States, to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. In response, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry issued a harsh condemnation, stating that the move violates international law and UN Security Council Resolution 497 from 1981, which declared Israel's application of law, jurisdiction, and administration in the Golan as "null and void and without international legal effect." Riyadh views the recognition as a deviation from the established international position, a fixation of "a logic of creating facts on the ground," and harmful to regional stability. Saudi Arabia called on Bogotá to reverse its decision.

Colombia has become the second country in the world, after the United States, to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. In response, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry issued an official statement containing a harsh condemnation, in which the Kingdom expressed its denunciation and disgust at the Colombian recognition. Saudi Arabia claims that the move stands in complete contradiction to previous international decisions, especially UN Security Council Resolution 497 from 1981, which determined that Israel's application of law, jurisdiction, and administration in the Golan Heights is "null and void and without any legal effect." It further stated that "the Golan is occupied Syrian Arab land," and that such positions do not contribute to achieving peace. Riyadh sees the recognition as a deviation from the established international position, a fixation of "a logic of creating facts on the ground," and harmful to efforts to achieve regional stability. Saudi Arabia called on Bogotá to reverse its decision. The report notes that despite the change of government in Bogotá and the desire to get closer to Jerusalem, Riyadh refuses to accept the new reality.