Riyadh, November 12, 2023, The Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit, which wrapped up in Riyadh over the weekend, solidified a significant resolution. This consensus marks a fusion of the two pivotal summits initiated by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States. Answering the summon from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (chair of both summits) and the State of Palestine, leaders from OIC and the Arab League came together. They stood united, denouncing the relentless Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif. Expressing a joint commitment, the leaders vowed to confront this aggression and its resulting humanitarian crisis. The primary goal is to halt the unlawful practices by Israel that perpetuate the occupation and deprive Palestinians of their fundamental rights, especially the right to freedom and an independent sovereign state on their entire national territory.
The summit extended gratitude towards the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their gracious hosting. Reaffirming resolutions by OIC, the Arab League, and the United Nations concerning the Palestinian cause and occupied Arab territories was a significant point of consensus. The attendees welcomed the UN General Assembly Resolution A/ES-10/L.25, which transpired during the recent emergency session.
The core emphasis of the resolution lay in underscoring the centrality of the Palestinian cause. The leaders pledged their unwavering support to the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle to reclaim their occupied territories and inherent rights, notably the right to self-determination and an independent sovereign state within the 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. The summit stressed that a just, enduring, and comprehensive peace remains the strategic pathway toward securing stability for all peoples in the region, contingent on the cessation of the Israeli occupation and the resolution of the Palestinian issue through a two-state solution.
The document explicitly holds Israel accountable for perpetuating the conflict through its violations of Palestinian rights, and underscores that regional peace hinges on addressing the Palestinian cause, using the Arab Peace Initiative as a fundamental guide. The resolution condemns all forms of discrimination and hatred, warning of the dire consequences of Israel's aggressive actions, urging immediate intervention to cease the violence.
Key actions set forth by the resolution encompass the condemnation of Israeli aggression, the call to end the siege on Gaza, appeals to international bodies for aid and intervention, and decisive measures to halt the ongoing conflict and ensure compliance with international law.
The summit also mandates a series of urgent steps, including supporting legal and political initiatives for Palestine, documenting and exposing Israeli crimes through media monitoring units, and pressing for immediate international action to halt the conflict and pave the way for a genuine political process leading to lasting peace.
The resolution's comprehensive approach reflects a resolute stand against the injustices faced by the Palestinian people, calling for immediate actions on multiple fronts to address the ongoing crisis and pave the way for a sustainable resolution in the region.
