Riyadh, December 22, 2024 – Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi has expressed his strong approval of the recent adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of a resolution introduced by the Kingdom of Norway, in partnership with Saudi Arabia and several other nations, calling for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Israel's obligations regarding its activities in the occupied Palestinian territories. This resolution seeks to clarify the legal responsibilities of Israel in relation to its actions and the involvement of the United Nations and other states in supporting the Palestinian people.
In a press release issued by the GCC General Secretariat today, Albudaiwi underscored the significance of the resolution, noting that its adoption reflects a broad international consensus in favor of supporting the Palestinian people as they face the ongoing challenges in the occupied territories. The resolution highlights the global recognition of the Palestinian people's legitimate right to self-determination, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, and the safeguarding of their rights in accordance with international law. Albudaiwi emphasized that this move is an important step toward securing justice for the Palestinian people and ensuring the protection of their inherent rights.
Albudaiwi also pointed to the final statement issued by the 45th GCC Supreme Council, which took place in December 2024, as further evidence of the region’s commitment to the Palestinian cause. The statement reaffirmed the centrality of the Palestinian issue to the Arab world, reiterating the GCC's long-standing position on the need for an immediate end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. The council called for the full recognition of Palestinian sovereignty over all occupied lands and urged all nations to complete the formal procedures for recognizing the State of Palestine. Additionally, the GCC stressed the importance of collective, urgent action to work toward a lasting and just resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The statement also called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the borders recognized in 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This call aligns with the principles laid out in the Arab Peace Initiative and several key international resolutions. The GCC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and their legitimate aspirations for a sovereign state, and it urged the international community to work together to ensure that a just and lasting solution is achieved.
The adoption of the UN resolution, along with the GCC's continued advocacy for Palestinian sovereignty and peace, signals a unified stance within the region and the international community for achieving a fair resolution to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With the support of the global community, the GCC remains resolute in its mission to promote justice and peace for the Palestinian people, emphasizing that the path to a just peace lies in the full recognition of Palestinian rights and the establishment of a secure, independent Palestinian state.