His Excellency Mr. Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stressed the firm and absolute position of the Cooperation Council member states towards the brotherly Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle to attain their legitimate rights.
This came in His Excellency's speech at the Fifth Plenary Meeting of the Fourth Term of the Third Legislative Session of the Arab Parliament, today, Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.
His Excellency began his speech by commending the role of the Arab Parliament and its efforts to promote Arab cooperation and collective action, with the aim of achieving a prosperous and sustainable future. He noted that this meeting is taking place at a time when our Arab nation is facing immense and painful challenges, foremost among them the just cause of Palestine, which will always remain the central and primary Arab issue. This has been consistently reflected in the clear and unwavering positions adopted by the Cooperation Council states since its establishment, His Excellency stressed.
"What is seen of the tragic situation under which the Palestinian people are suffering, represented in the continuing crimes and violations by the Israeli occupation forces in Gaza and other Palestinian areas, is a deep wound in the heart of every Arab and Muslim. These crimes and violations are not only a violation of human rights and international laws, but also a blatant challenge to all human values and principles," His Excellency stated.
He also emphasised that the fundamental issue causing and continuing to destabilise the regional situation is the persistent crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces in using excessive and indiscriminate force against besieged civilian populations.
"The GCC has repeatedly called upon - and will continue to do so - the international community to adopt effective policies and measures to ensure an immediate cease fire comes into effect, de-escalate the violence against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, including Jerusalem and the holy Islamic sites, stop the settlement activities and land confiscation, as well as support the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and all relevant international resolutions," His Excellency pointed out.
Furthermore, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General explained in his speech that the cooperation of the GCC General Secretariat with the Arab Parliament and other Arab institutions stems from its deep belief that unity and solidarity among Arab states is the optimal path to achieve security, stability, and prosperity for our peoples, especially in light of the challenges facing our Arab nation.
In concluding his remarks, he underscored the positions of the GCC states in support of collective Arab action in general, and in championing the Palestinian cause in particular, recognising the importance of collective work and Arab solidarity to fulfill the aspirations of our peoples for security, stability, and prosperity.