Probe killings: Arab League

Cairo : Yesterday, the Arab League called for an international investigation into Israel’s killing of dozens of protesters on the Gaza border as its foreign ministers met in Cairo to discuss their response.

Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit said that "We call for a credible international investigation into the crimes committed by the occupation". He was at an extraordinary meeting held to discuss the violence, called at the request of Saudi Arabia.

Nearly 60 Palestinians were shot dead on Monday during protests coinciding with the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem. “We are facing a state of blatant aggression against international law and legitimacy which was embodied by the US embassy’s transfer in the occupying state to Jerusalem,” Abul Gheit said. Altogether Israeli forces have killed some 116 Palestinians since protests along Gaza’s border with Israel began six weeks ago. 

Bahrain backs demand 

Cairo : The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, yesterday condemned the killings of the Palestinian civilians by Israel last Monday and warned of serious repercussions in the aftermath of the escalation of violence in Occupied Palestine posing a threat to the entire region.

Addressing the extraordinary meeting of the Arab League, Shaikh Khalid said that the Kingdom extended full support for the demand for a probe into these “terrible crimes” and called on the international community to provide protection to the Palestinian people. 

He said the Palestinian issue is the issue of every Arab and every Muslim and denounced the killing of Palestinians. Shaikh Khalid said that the Israeli action violated all international laws and norms.  “The Palestinian plight requires swift and firm action by the international community and the Security Council, which both have to shoulder their responsibilities to stop this Israeli aggression,” he said. 

The minister reiterated Bahrain’s steadfast position in support of the Palestinian cause and the aspirations of the brotherly Palestinian people, affirming their right to establish an independent and sovereign state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Shaikh Khalid called on the international community to work hard to achieve a just and comprehensive peace and enforce international resolutions on the city of Jerusalem.