The work of the joint Arab-Islamic summit began today, Monday, regarding the aggression against Gaza and Lebanon, with the participation of Iraq.
The summit was opened by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a speech in which he affirmed that “the Zionist entity’s continued aggression against the Palestinian people hinders peace efforts,” reiterating rejection of “the genocide committed by the Zionist entity against the brotherly Palestinian people.”
Bin Salman condemned “the military operations targeting Lebanese territory and rejected the violation of its sovereignty,” expressing his rejection of “attacks on Iranian territory.”
He stressed “the necessity of continuing joint efforts to establish a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital,” expressing his condemnation of “the violations occurring in Gaza and Lebanon.”
While the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, confirmed that “what the occupation is doing is destroying the future of coexistence in the region,” pointing out that “words are no longer sufficient for what the people in Palestine are enduring.”
Aboul Gheit stressed “the necessity of a ceasefire in Lebanon,” noting that “failing to achieve an immediate ceasefire means more blood as the possibility of a comprehensive explosion in the region increases.”
The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Hussein Ibrahim Taha, also confirmed that “this summit is being held at a time that coincides with the occupation’s massacres against Palestine and Lebanon,” pointing out that “the massacres that are taking place constitute a blatant violation of international law.”
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also stated that “the Arab, Islamic and humanitarian duty imposes on us to show the highest levels of solidarity and cooperation to implement the Security Council’s decision to stop the occupation’s aggression and its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.”
He called on “the countries of the world to sever their relations with the Zionist entity,” stressing the necessity of “implementing the Security Council resolution to stop the Zionist aggression, deliver aid to Gaza, and withdraw the occupation.”
He stressed “the necessity of preserving the historical and legal status of the city of Jerusalem,” pointing out “the importance of the State of Palestine assuming its sovereign responsibilities and returning the displaced to their homes before reconstruction.”
Jordanian King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein also stated that “the wars in the region must stop,” pointing to “the necessity of stopping the siege in Gaza and the attacks on the holy places in the West Bank and supporting Lebanon and its people.”
He continued, “The region is experiencing a tragedy that cannot be tolerated with more than a year of the Zionist entity’s war on Gaza,” stressing “the necessity of breaking the siege on the Gaza Strip, stopping the escalation in the West Bank, and supporting Lebanon’s sovereignty to achieve peace in the region.”
He stressed, “We want concrete efforts to provide aid to the Gaza Strip,” calling for “launching a humanitarian bridge to deliver it.”
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stated that “the Zionist aggression against Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon has been continuing for more than a year amid international silence,” explaining that “the future of the region and the world has become at a crossroads and the aggression against the Gaza Strip and Lebanon is no longer acceptable.”
He continued, “The necessary condition for achieving security and stability is the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital,” pointing out that “we will stand against all plans that aim to liquidate the Palestinian cause.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan noted that “Netanyahu’s government is working to escalate military tension with Iran on the one hand and is continuing attacks on Lebanon,” pointing to “the need to continue efforts to take measures against the perpetrators of genocide in Palestine.”
He stated, “It is very important to impose an arms embargo on the Zionist entity and prevent trade with it,” stressing the necessity of “isolating the Zionist entity internationally unless its aggression against the Gaza Strip and Lebanon ends.”
He continued, “We have put new trade restrictions on the Zionist entity into effect, and we will put more if its aggression is not stopped,” stressing the need to “find urgent solutions to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated that “Lebanon is going through an unprecedented and fateful historical crisis,” pointing out that “Lebanon is suffering from blatant aggression that violates all international norms.”
He continued, “The Zionist entity cannot continue its aggression against Lebanon and its sovereignty without accountability or oversight,” explaining that “the Zionist aggression against Lebanon caused massive humanitarian losses and the displacement of about 1.2 million people from their homes.”
Mikati called for “supporting the Lebanese state and its institutions and continuing to send humanitarian aid,” stressing “the necessity of stopping the Zionist aggression against Lebanon immediately.”
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad also pointed out that, “For a year, the crime has been continuing, and last year, when we stressed the need to stop the aggression, the outcome of the year was more martyrs and displaced people in Palestine and Lebanon.”
He stressed “the need to stop the Zionist aggression against Gaza and protect civilians,” pointing out that “the priority currently is to stop the massacres, stop the genocide, and stop the ethnic cleansing.”
Interview between Time.news Editor and Middle East Expert, Dr. Fatima Al-Nasser
Editor: Welcome, Dr. Al-Nasser! Thank you for joining us to discuss the ongoing developments from the joint Arab-Islamic summit that was launched today. It’s a critical time for the region. What are your initial thoughts on the summit and its objectives?
Dr. Al-Nasser: Thank you for having me. The summit is indeed significant, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Lebanon. With key leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, condemning the violence against Palestinian people and the military operations in Lebanon, we see a united Arab and Islamic front seeking to address these humanitarian crises. The emphasis on establishing a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders reaffirms long-standing aspirations for peace and coexistence.
Editor: Absolutely. Bin Salman’s speech highlighted the need for a ceasefire and condemned the ongoing violations. How do you interpret the broader implications of these declarations?
Dr. Al-Nasser: Bin Salman’s remarks reflect a shift towards a more proactive Arab stance against aggression. His emphasis on solidarity with the Palestinians and support for Lebanese sovereignty sends a clear message that the Arab world is prioritizing humanitarian concerns. However, rhetoric must be translated into concrete actions. The call for a ceasefire, as echoed by the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, is crucial—without it, we risk escalating tensions further.
Editor: Speaking of escalating tensions, what is your take on President Abbas’ call for international outreach to sever ties with Israel? How realistic is this, given the geopolitical landscape?
Dr. Al-Nasser: President Abbas’ call for the severance of relations with Israel reflects a growing sentiment of frustration among Palestinian leadership and the wider Arab community towards international inaction. While it may resonate within regional and some international circles, the practicality of such a move depends on a host of factors including existing geopolitical alliances and economic dependencies. It’s a bold statement that underscores the urgency of the situation, but achieving this widespread severance will require robust diplomatic efforts and solidarity among nations.
Editor: Beyond rhetoric, what specific actions can the summit participants take to support humanitarian efforts in Gaza and Lebanon?
Dr. Al-Nasser: The summit could play a critical role in mobilizing aid and facilitating a humanitarian corridor. Leaders like Jordan’s King Abdullah and Egypt’s President El-Sisi have already stressed the need for immediate assistance to Gaza. Establishing a humanitarian bridge would not only address urgent needs but also demonstrate a tangible commitment to the cause. Moreover, advocating for international support for these initiatives can help alleviate the humanitarian crisis and offer some relief to the affected populations.
Editor: Turkish President Erdogan mentioned the need for measures against perpetrators of human rights violations in Palestine. Could this hint at a more aggressive diplomatic stance or sanctions against Israel?
Dr. Al-Nasser: Erdogan’s statements can be viewed as a call for accountability, not just at a rhetorical level but potentially as a precursor to more tangible measures, such as sanctions. There is an inclination among some leaders to bolster efforts to isolate Israel internationally, especially if violations of international law continue. However, any such actions would depend heavily on coalition-building, both regionally and globally, to ensure a united front.
Editor: Lastly, as we look ahead, what challenges do you foresee in achieving lasting peace in the region after this summit?
Dr. Al-Nasser: The path to lasting peace is fraught with challenges. Firstly, the entrenched nature of the conflict, coupled with differing national agendas, poses significant hurdles. Additionally, if tangible results do not follow the summit’s discussions, disillusionment could lead to increased frustration and violence. Sustained dialogue, commitment to diplomacy, and coordinated efforts for humanitarian aid will be essential in finding common ground. Everyone needs to recognize that while symbols of solidarity are important, they must be backed by actionable steps to effect real change on the ground.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Al-Nasser, for sharing your insights. It will certainly be interesting to see how the outcomes of this summit develop in the weeks and months ahead.
Dr. Al-Nasser: Thank you for having me. The world is watching, and it’s critical for the leaders to respond to the urgent needs of those suffering in Gaza and Lebanon. Only time will tell how these discussions materialize into real change.