Saudi Foreign Ministry deletes Arab and Islamic statement condemning the opening of a 'Somaliland' embassy in Jerusalem

Media sources reported that the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs deleted a joint official statement condemning the opening of a 'Somaliland' embassy in occupied Jerusalem. This step came just hours after the statement was published on all the ministry's digital platforms, including its official website and its account on the 'X' platform, without providing official explanations for the sudden deletion.

The deleted statement was issued with the consensus of the foreign ministers of 15 Arab and Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Palestine. These countries, in the draft statement, expressed their strongest condemnation of the step taken by the Somali region, describing it as a departure from international consensus and an infringement on the rights of the Palestinian people in their occupied capital.

The signatory countries of the statement, before its deletion, stressed that the opening of any diplomatic representation in Jerusalem constitutes a blatant violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. Sources confirmed that the collective position was based on rejecting any measures aimed at legitimizing internationally unrecognized entities within the holy city, considering it an infringement on the existing historical status quo.

In the same context, the statement reiterated that East Jerusalem is occupied Palestinian territory since 1967, based on Security Council Resolutions 242 and 478. The countries participating in the statement clarified that such diplomatic moves undermine the chances of a just and comprehensive peace and ignore international references that prohibit the transfer of diplomatic missions to the occupied city.

It is worth noting that Mohamed Haji, who serves as the ambassador of the 'Somaliland' region to the Israeli occupation authorities, announced on May 19th his region's intention to open an embassy in Jerusalem. This step is the first of its kind for the region, which seeks international recognition, as it chose the city of Jerusalem to be the headquarters for its first diplomatic representation worldwide.

This step represents a direct infringement on the legal and historical status of occupied Jerusalem and a violation of international legitimacy resolutions.