Colombia capital Bogotá shows solidarity with 'State of Palestine' street

A 'State of Palestine' street was inaugurated in Colombia's capital Bogotá on Thursday in a show of support for Palestinians.

The street naming ceremony began with both countries' national anthems and saw Palestinian Ambassador Raouf Al-Maliki praise the city council.

Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki cut the ribbon with Councillor Ana Teresa Bernal, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.

"Bogotá City Council member Ana Teresa Bernal expressed her pride in naming one of the city's most prominent streets after the State of Palestine, a move that she said testifies to the Colombian people's support and solidarity with the Palestinian people and their righteous quest for an independent state," Wafa said.

The use of the word "state" in the street's name is significant.

While the United Nations General Assembly voted in 2012 to grant Palestine non-member observer state status, major powers including the US and UK do not recognise the country's statehood.

Though Palestine has achieved state status at the UN, the Palestinian people's aspiration to an independent state has not been fulfilled.

The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and besieged Gaza Strip remain occupied by Israel according to international law.

Israeli authorities maintain a crushing system of control over these territories.

The Municipal Council of the Colombian capital, Bogotá, has renamed one of the city's streets, the "State of Palestine" Street. pic.twitter.com/CXB8gaobBU

— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) September 14, 2023

The opening of the street in Colombia comes as other Latin American countries have deepened ties with Israel.

Israel last month said Paraguay was set to relocate its embassy to Israel to Jerusalem and that Uruguay was to launch a new diplomatic mission – not an embassy – in the city.

Most countries – with the notable exception of the US – maintain their embassies in or around Tel Aviv, to avoid giving support to Israeli claims of sovereignty over Jerusalem.

Israel captured East Jerusalem in 1967 and annexed it in 1980.