Ottawa, December 10, 2023, In a significant diplomatic move, members of the Ministerial Committee, appointed by the Riyadh-hosted Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit, convened in Ottawa for an official meeting with the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly. Led by Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, the committee included the Foreign Minister of the State of Palestine, Riyadh Al-Malki, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye, Hakan Fidan.
The focal point of the meeting was the discussion on the evolving situation in the Gaza Strip and its far-reaching consequences, particularly the concerning military escalation targeting unarmed civilians. Members of the committee stressed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire to restore security and stability in the region.
A key message conveyed during the meeting was a call to the international community to act promptly and fulfill its responsibilities in protecting civilians from what was described as the Israeli occupation's "killing machine." Emphasizing that any deliberations about the future of Gaza and the broader Palestinian cause should follow an immediate ceasefire and the de-escalation of the ongoing military conflict, the committee underscored the gravity of the situation.
In addition to the ceasefire plea, the committee highlighted the necessity for rapid, tangible measures to establish humanitarian corridors for the delivery of much-needed relief assistance into Gaza. They expressed strong opposition to any restrictions on aid entry into the strip, emphasizing the importance of unimpeded access to alleviate the suffering of the population.
The committee further stressed the significance of creating a conducive political environment to pave the way for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the borders of June 4, 1967, in accordance with relevant international resolutions. Importantly, they rejected any attempts to isolate discussions about the Gaza Strip from the overarching Palestinian cause, emphasizing the interconnected nature of the issues at hand.
In summary, the Ministerial Committee's meeting in Ottawa served as a platform for urgent calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, swift international intervention for humanitarian aid, and the recognition of the interconnectedness between the Gaza Strip and the broader Palestinian cause. The committee's message conveyed a sense of urgency, urging immediate action to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and address the longstanding challenges facing the Palestinian people.
