Egypt has condemned Colombia’s decision to recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a territory internationally recognised as Syrian territory.

In a statement issued by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Egypt said the decision violates Syria’s established and legitimate rights over its territory. The ministry stressed that Israel should withdraw from the occupied Golan Heights.

Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and formally annexed the territory in 1981. The annexation has not been recognised by the United Nations or most countries around the world.

Colombia’s decision was announced by its Foreign Ministry on Monday, making it only the second UN member state, after the United States, to formally recognise Israeli sovereignty over the territory. The United States recognised Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights in 2019 under then-President Donald Trump.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella made the decision just days after being sworn into office. Colombia said the move was based on the strategic importance of the Golan Heights to Israel’s security and Israel’s right to protect itself from external threats amid continued instability in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the decision and thanked Colombia in a video message. Pointing to a map of the Golan Heights, Netanyahu said the Israeli flag flies there and would continue to do so because, in his words, “this is our land.”

Syria also condemned Colombia’s decision and said it would use diplomatic and legal means to defend its sovereignty and seek the return of the occupied territory.

“Syria will continue to use all legitimate diplomatic and legal means to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and established rights, and to work toward the recovery of its occupied territories,” the Syrian Foreign Ministry said.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Oman and Turkey have also condemned Colombia’s move.

Amid the dispute over the recognition, Egypt expressed its condolences to Colombia following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the country’s western region, killing about 169 of people and injuring more than 700 others. Rescue operations are continuing in badly affected cities, including Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdó.