United We Stand

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Before coming up with a joint action plan to ensure peace and stability in the GCC region, especially in Palestine, Arab leaders attending the 33rd regular session of the Arab Summit in Manama, Bahrain spoke about the issues facing the Arab countries, with the focus being on the Palestinian cause.

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa presided over the Arab Summit at the Sakhir Palace while the Bahraini delegation was led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The meeting began with a recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a speech by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, being the president of the 32nd Arab Summit session, delivered on his behalf by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, and Prime Minister, of Saudi Arabia.

Through the speech, the importance of pursuing a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue was stressed, underlining that the efforts should be based on UN legitimate resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, guaranteeing the Palestinian people’s right to establish an independent state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

With HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman handing over the presidency of the 33rd Arab Summit to His Majesty the King, His Majesty began the summit with a speech that highlighted the exceedingly complex regional and humanitarian circumstances, including destructive wars, heart-wrenching humanitarian tragedies, and threats to Arab national security.

His Majesty said the Kingdom of Bahrain is proposing a suit of initiatives essential to the stability and development of the region, including the call for an international conference for peace in the Middle East, in tandem with supporting full recognition of the State of Palestine and the acceptance of its membership in the United Nations.

Other initiatives proposed by Bahrain, and approved by the Arab Summit on Thursday, included providing educational and health services to those affected by conflicts in the region and developing Arab cooperation in the field of financial technology and digital transformation.

António Guterres, SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations

The war in Gaza is an open wound that threatens to infect the entire region, the UN chief said, noting that it is the deadliest conflict, for its speed and scale, during his tenure. Nothing can justify collective punishment of the Palestinian people, he said, adding that the only permanent way to end the cycle of violence and instability is through a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security.

What the Arab leaders said:

Ahmed AbulGheit, Secretary General of League of Arab States

Noting that the Summit is being held under extraordinary circumstances, the Arab League Secretary-General said the brutal aggression on the Palestinian people in Gaza is considered a critical juncture.

“Arab peoples will never forget this blind violence by the Israeli occupation that is targeting women and children,” the Arab League chief pointed out. The whole world community has become well aware that occupation and peace do not meet, he said.

His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein of Jordan

The consequences of what occurred in Gaza will impact generations and it will lead to more conflict, the Jordan King said.

It is human responsibility to end the war and to support the Palestinians to establish a state and government, His Majesty said. All international efforts should be mobilized to support the Palestinian people and to end the one-sided actions of Israel, His Majesty stated.

H.E. Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of Egypt

The Palestinian issues make us choose either peace and stability or chaos and history will stop long to look at this war, the Egyptian President said. Egypt’s position on the issue is fixed and is opposing the destruction of Palestine and the creation of an environment not suitable for living there, he said. Those people who think that military intervention will secure their security are dreaming and the results and outcomes of this region are far bigger than those they are dreaming, the President stated, adding that he is optimistic that the region can be saved from unlimited war and bloodshed.

H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine

Until when will the Israeli aggression continue and when will we be free from occupation, the Palestinian President asked while highlighting that thousands of women and children have been killed already and over 70 percent of houses and institutions have been demolished.

It is time to extend very urgent Arab support to help the Palestinian government discharge its duties, to press Israel to release funds seized from Palestine, to make the US stop vetoing against them, and to stop the double standards by the international community, the President said. We don’t want to repeat the tragedy of 1948, the President said in reference to Nakba.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia's Prime Minister and Crown Prince

Saudi Arabia supports the establishment of a Palestinian state and its international recognition. In this context, Saudi Arabia has paid great attention to Arab issues and emphasises the importance of preserving the security of the Red Sea region. We call for the cessation of any activities that threaten the safety of maritime navigation.

Saudi Arabia recently hosted a meeting that condemned Israeli aggression against Gaza under any pretext and supported efforts to address the humanitarian conditions in Gaza. We also call on the international community to support ceasefire efforts in Gaza.

The Kingdom advocates for resolving conflicts through peaceful means. The international community must stop the brutal aggression against our Palestinian brothers.