The General Secretariat of the Arab League has issued a stark warning regarding Israeli policies and plans, which it asserts violate international law, defy global will, and obstruct peace efforts in the region, particularly concerning the Palestinian cause. The League contends that these actions pose a significant threat to regional and global security and stability.
Arab League Israeli occupation
The statement was released on the 59th anniversary of the 1967 Six-Day War, condemning Israeli aggression against several Arab nations. This aggression led to the occupation of vast swathes of Arab land and resulted in the displacement and killing of its inhabitants.
The General Secretariat highlighted that the repercussions of this historical setback continue to escalate today with the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, and the Syrian Golan Heights. It also pointed to the subsequent expansion of occupation into southern Lebanon, a clear violation of international norms, covenants, and resolutions.
The League reaffirmed the fundamental principle of international law that prohibits the acquisition of territory by force. It stressed that the only path to achieving security, peace, and stability in the region is through the end of the Israeli occupation of all Palestinian and Arab lands occupied since 1967. Furthermore, it called for the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the two-state solution and relevant international legitimacy decisions, including the Arab Peace Initiative.
The General Secretariat urged the international community to exert pressure on Israel to cease its aggression and all illegal measures. This includes demanding the withdrawal of its forces from all territories occupied since 1967, halting all settlement activities, evacuating settlers from Palestinian lands, and compelling Israel to pay compensation for damages resulting from its illegal occupation.
Additionally, the League called on nations not to provide any assistance to Israel that could facilitate the continuation of the occupation. This appeal aligns with the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on the illegality of the occupation and relevant international legitimacy decisions, upholding values of justice and fairness to achieve a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the region.
Related topics: Arab League, Israeli occupation, Palestine, Middle East security, international law, two-state solution
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