34 Arab and Islamic countries and organisations issue joint statement

Foreign Ministers of 31 Arab and Islamic countries, together with the Secretaries-General of the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Gulf Cooperation Council, strongly condemn the remarks of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the so-called “Greater Israel”.

In a joint statement, they describe the remarks as a blatant violation of international law and a direct threat to Arab national security as well as to regional and international stability.

The statement is issued by the Foreign Ministers of Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Algeria, Morocco, Palestine, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Yemen, Mauritania, Sudan, Somalia, Türkiye, Bangladesh, Chad, the Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Indonesia, the Maldives, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal and Sierra Leone, along with the Secretary-General of the Arab League, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The joint statement affirms that Arab and Islamic countries will adopt all policies and measures that lay the foundations for peace, in a way that serves the security, stability and development of nations and peoples, away from policies of domination and the imposition of force.

The Ministers warn against the continuation of the Israeli government’s expansionist approach in the West Bank, including violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites, and daily settler attacks on Palestinian towns, villages and camps. They caution that such policies fuel violence and undermine the prospects for a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

The statement also reiterates the rejection of Israeli crimes in the Gaza Strip, calling for a ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid, and holding Israel fully responsible for the consequences of its aggression.

It further underlined the necessity of the State of Palestine assuming governance responsibilities in both Gaza and the West Bank, within the political framework of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

The statement calls on the international community, particularly the permanent members of the UN Security Council, to fulfil their legal and moral responsibilities, to compel Israel to end its aggression, to provide international protection to the Palestinian people, and to enable them to exercise their legitimate rights, including the establishment of an independent sovereign state.

This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.