Saudi Arabia Condemns Colombia’s Recognition of Israeli Claim on Golan
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued a formal condemnation of the recent statement from the Colombian Foreign Ministry, which announced its recognition of what it termed “Israeli sovereignty” over the occupied Syrian Golan. Riyadh characterized the move as a significant departure from established international legal standards and a direct challenge to the resolutions set forth by the international community regarding the status of the territory.
In an official statement released via the platform X, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that this recognition stands in direct contradiction to relevant United Nations mandates. The Ministry specifically cited UN Security Council Resolution 497, adopted in 1981, which explicitly declared Israel’s attempt to impose its laws, jurisdiction, and administration over the occupied Syrian Golan as null, void, and without international legal effect.
The Saudi government underscored its position that such diplomatic shifts do not contribute to the advancement of peace in the region. Instead, Riyadh argued that the move represents an abandonment of the long-standing international consensus regarding the status of the Golan Heights. By appearing to validate the imposition of a ‘fait accompli,’ such actions risk undermining broader diplomatic efforts aimed at establishing a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
Reaffirming its commitment to the territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, the Saudi Ministry stated that the Golan remains occupied Syrian land. According to the Saudi position, any unilateral measures or decisions aimed at altering the legal, physical, or demographic status of the territory are illegitimate and do not create any legal rights or international recognition. Riyadh called upon the government of Colombia to reconsider its stance, urging it to adhere to the principles of international law and the relevant resolutions of the UN. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia encouraged Bogotá to return to a position that supports efforts to foster security, stability, and a just peace across the region.
This development follows a similar condemnation issued earlier by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. Damascus denounced the statement made by the Colombian Foreign Ministry on August 10, 2026, rejecting the security pretexts cited by Colombia as inconsistent with the international legal framework and UN Security Council decisions. The Syrian government reiterated that such recognitions are in clear violation of international law and are rejected in the strongest terms by the Syrian state.
