AMMAN — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday condemned the decision of Nauru to open an embassy in Jerusalem, describing the move as “unacceptable and a blatant violation of international law and international legitimacy resolutions.”

 

Ministry Spokesperson Fouad Majali stressed that any measures or decisions aimed at altering the status or legal identity of Jerusalem are null, void, and illegal, according to a ministry statement.

 

Majali reiterated that the only path to achieving a just and comprehensive peace that guarantees regional security and stability lies in establishing an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.

 

The tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru opened its embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, joining a small group of countries taking the symbolic step of backing Israeli sovereignty in the contested city.

 

"We see opening an embassy here in Jerusalem not only as a strengthening of our ties with Israel, but also as a message to the world of where we stand," said Nauru's vice president and foreign minister Lionel Aingimea, according to AFP.

 

Most countries have kept their embassies in Tel Aviv on the grounds that the status of Jerusalem will be settled in a final resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

 

Kosovo and Somaliland, which are not member-states of the United Nations, have also opened what they consider their embassies in Jerusalem.

 

At Monday's inauguration ceremony, Israeli foreign mnister Gideon Saar called Nauru "one of Israel's greatest friends".

 

He said that other countries would soon follow Nauru in opening embassies in Jerusalem, noting that Colombia was expected to do so in early October.

 

Bogota has yet to confirm a date, but Colombia's new hard-right President Abelardo de la Espriella announced such a move in July, AFP said.

 

The Democratic Republic of Congo said last week it would move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

 

Argentine President Javier Milei, an outspoken supporter of Israel, has also promised to move his country's embassy to the holy city.

 

The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

 

Israel occupied east Jerusalem and annexed it in 1967, in a move not recognised by the vast majority of the international community.