Egypt summons Colombian envoy over embassy opening in Jerusalem

CAIRO — Egypt's Foreign Ministry summoned Colombia's chargé d'affaires in Cairo to deliver a strong protest against Colombia's decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem, Indonesian news agency Antara reported on 18 October 2026.

Antara's account rests on an unnamed Egyptian source "aware of the matter". It also cites the Middle East News Agency (MENA). Zenga News has not independently confirmed the details, and Antara's report is the only source for this article.

Egypt's position

According to Antara, the Egyptian source said Cairo regards Colombia's step as a unilateral move that cannot be accepted. The source said it conflicts with the legal and historical status of the city. The source also described it as a clear violation of relevant international resolutions.

Antara, citing MENA, reported that the source said the move is null and void and has no legal effect.

Egypt also told the Colombian representative that such a step would have a negative effect on international efforts to reach peace and stability in the region, according to Antara. The source said it could raise tensions.

The source stressed the need to respect the legal and historical status of what it called occupied Jerusalem, Antara reported. It said unilateral steps should be avoided because they could obstruct efforts toward peace based on a two-state solution.

Arab League resolution

Antara reported that the summons followed paragraph 10 of a resolution adopted last week by the Arab League Council at the level of permanent representatives.

According to Antara's description, the resolution urged Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states to summon Colombia's ambassador. The aim was to deliver an official protest over what the resolution called Colombia's illegal decision to open an embassy in occupied Jerusalem, and over the effect of that decision on bilateral relations with Colombia.

The Antara report does not say whether other member states have summoned Colombian diplomats. It does not give the date of the Colombian decision or the planned date for the embassy's opening. It also does not include a response from the Colombian government.

Background

The Antara article is illustrated with a photograph of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem. The agency's related-reading links include a separate report, by its own headline, that Indonesia strongly condemned Colombia's move to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem. Antara's text of that report was not provided here, so its contents cannot be described.

The Egyptian source's reference to a two-state solution reflects a position Egypt has stated in the past. The Antara report does not give further background on the status of Jerusalem or on Colombia's earlier diplomatic arrangements.

Antara's report was translated by Asri Mayang Sari and edited by M Razi Rahman.