LONDON: Syria on Tuesday strongly condemned Colombia’s recognition of “Israeli sovereignty” over the Golan Heights, calling the move a violation of international law and UN resolutions. In a statement, Syria’s Foreign Ministry said Colombia had cited security considerations in recognizing Israel’s claim to the strategic plateau, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war. Syria rejected that reasoning as inconsistent with international law and reaffirmed that the Golan Heights are an “inseparable part” of Syrian territory.

Colombia's foreign ministry stated that it recognizes Israeli control over the area as “an essential component of its national defense and its ability to protect and safeguard its…

Israel's Gideon Sa'ar welcomed the decision to recognize the area Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 in the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed in 1981.