GCC ministers affirm support for creation of Palestinian state

Amid increasing illegal occupation of Palestinian territories by Israeli settlers, Gulf Cooperation Council ministers on Thursday affirmed their support for the creation of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Pressuring Israel To Reverse Its Settlement Decisions

The GCC Ministerial Council raised concerns over Israel’s continued construction of settlement units in the occupied Palestinian territories, violating “international legitimacy resolutions”. It called on the international community to help with finding a solution to the conflict.

The Council welcomed Australia’s announcement of its intention to use the term “occupied Palestinian territories” and urged other countries to follow suit by pressuring Israeli authorities to retrace their steps on the settlement decisions.

In a statement issued at the close of its 57th session in Riyadh, the Council highlighted the repeated Israeli incursions into the courtyards of the Al Aqsa Mosque, stressing such acts were not only “a provocation of the feelings of Muslims” but also a “violation of international law”.

Egyptian-Jordanian-Palestinian Summit In Focus

The ministers welcomed the final statement of the Egyptian-Jordanian-Palestinian tripartite summit and its discussion on the Palestinian issue in light of the current developments in the occupied territories. El Alamein in Egypt hosted the summit on August 14, 2023.

The top leaders from the three countries emphasised resolving the conflict and achieving comprehensive peace is a regional and international necessity and a matter of international security and peace – stressing Israel must implement its commitments and pledges.

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Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the King of Jordan, HM Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, confirmed their full support for the efforts of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to continue defending the interests of Palestinians at all levels.