Riyadh, November 11, 2024 – In his remarks at the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, delivered a stark assessment of the ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza and their broader implications for the Palestinian community and the Middle East as a whole. Aboul Gheit emphasized that Israel’s current strategy appears focused on eradicating the Palestinian population in Gaza, using both coercive measures and voluntary displacement tactics. This, he noted, is aimed at dismantling Palestinian society, including its institutions and social structures, ultimately aiming to extinguish any future prospects for the restoration of Palestinian self-determination.
Aboul Gheit further explained that the continued Israeli offensive undermines any possibility of coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians, and obstructs efforts to achieve peace based on justice. He asserted that the current situation sends a dangerous signal to the world: if Israel’s actions go unchecked, they will not only destabilize the region but also undermine the foundation of international peace. "The absence of accountability for Israel has emboldened it to pursue indescribable plans," he said. "The Middle East will not relinquish the establishment of an independent sovereign Palestinian state along the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital."
The Arab League Secretary-General also condemned Israel’s military actions in Lebanon, noting that Israeli bombings continue to claim innocent lives and destroy both private and public infrastructure. The civilian casualty count, Aboul Gheit stated, is steadily rising, while Lebanon’s already fragile situation is worsened by the displacement of one million people. He stressed that the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon is deepening, with displaced families facing worsening conditions in a nation already suffering from years of economic and political turmoil.
Aboul Gheit called for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, linking it to the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. He emphasized that this resolution must be enforced in all its phases to ensure security on both sides of the border, a step he believes is crucial for halting the cycle of violence and allowing for the restoration of peace and stability in the region.
In conclusion, the Secretary-General of the Arab League underscored the urgency of international intervention to halt the ongoing violence and to reaffirm the international community’s commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace. He stressed that the rights of the Palestinian people must be recognized and that the region’s stability hinges on the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state and the resolution of the Israeli-Lebanese conflict.