Arab foreign ministers have reiterated their commitment to the Palestinian cause, expressing grave concern over the developments in Jerusalem, mainly Israel’s attempts to control parts of al-Aqsa mosque compound.
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit asserted that Palestine is a “top Arab priority … because permanent stability in the region is only achieved through a just settlement for ending the occupation and establishing a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
Aboul Gheit was speaking at the 151st session of the Arab League Foreign Ministers which kicked off in Cairo Wednesday for discussions on joint Arab action in political, economic, security and cultural affairs.
“We are monitoring the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories with grave concern,” he indicated, adding that Israel’s use of violence and repression against the Palestinian people has intensified.
Israel’s unrelenting measures in Jerusalem such as the ban of religious and political leaders from entering the al-Aqsa compound have effectively paralyzed the peace process for more than two years in anticipation of a US peace plan that only produced more arbitrary measures against the Palestinians and their rights, the Sec-Gen added.
In his speech, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry also prioritized the Palestinian cause, calling for strong efforts to bring back “serious negotiations that will lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
Shoukry asserted that Egypt fully supports the Palestinian people to obtain all their legitimate rights, and rejects unilateral measures aimed at perpetuating Israeli occupation.
He called for full adherence to the Arab Peace Initiative adopted more than 17 years ago.
Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riyad Maliki called on Arab countries to take all practical measures to confront any country that recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, according to Wafa news agency.
“Seventeen years after the Arab Peace Initiative, the number of Israeli settlers has doubled and campaigns to Judaize East Jerusalem and attempts to divide al-Aqsa Mosque have increased,” he said.
“Killing, arresting and robbing Palestinian lands and resources have doubled,” Maliki added.
