Joint statement by the foreign ministers of 31 Arab and Islamic countries condemning Netanyahu's statements regarding the so-called "Greater Israel"

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Arab Sea - Follow-ups: The foreign ministers of 31 Arab and Islamic countries, along with the Secretaries-General of the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Gulf Cooperation Council, have strongly condemned the statements made by the Israeli occupation government's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the so-called "Greater Israel." This came in a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of: Yemen, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, Algeria, Bangladesh, Chad, the Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, in addition to the Secretaries-General of the three organizations. The statement affirmed that Netanyahu's statements represent a blatant challenge to international law and a serious violation of the foundations of stable international relations, and constitute a direct threat to Arab national security and to the sovereignty of states and the stability of regional and international peace and security. The ministers stressed that the Arab and Islamic countries, while renewing their commitment to international legitimacy and the Charter of the United Nations, especially Article (2) paragraph (4), which prohibits the use of force or the threat thereof, will continue to take policies and measures to promote peace and consolidate stability and development, away from the illusions of control and the imposition of hegemony by force. The statement affirmed that the occupation has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory, stressing the absolute rejection of the "Greater Israel" plan and all illegal settlement projects, which constitute a flagrant violation of international law and Security Council resolutions, foremost of which is Resolution (2334), which condemns settlement activities aimed at changing the legal and demographic status of the Palestinian territory since 1967, including East Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Palestine. The statement also recalled the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which affirmed the illegality of the occupation and the need for its immediate end, the removal of its effects, and compensation for those affected by it. In the same context, the ministers condemned the approval of the occupation's Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, of the settlement plan in the (E1) area, and his racist statements rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state, and considered them a blatant attack on the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to establish their independent sovereign state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The statement warned of the danger of annexation policies and settlement expansion, and the accompanying repeated attempts to harm Islamic and Christian holy sites, foremost of which are the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Noble Sanctuary, as well as settler crimes and daily incursions into Palestinian cities and camps, and the systematic destruction of refugee camps and forced displacement operations. The ministers pointed out that these policies lead to fueling cycles of violence and conflict, and undermine opportunities to achieve a just and comprehensive peace, and that relying on doctrinal and racist illusions only brings about an escalation of the conflict, which threatens regional and international security and stability. Regarding the Gaza Strip, the ministers reiterated their strong condemnation of the ongoing Israeli aggression and the crimes of genocide and ethnic cleansing it is committing, demanding an immediate ceasefire, ensuring the entry of humanitarian aid without restriction or condition, and lifting the Israeli siege imposed on the Strip. The statement held the occupation fully responsible for the catastrophic collapse of the health and relief systems in Gaza, as the occupying power. The ministers also affirmed their categorical rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace the Palestinian people under any pretext, calling on the international community to pressure Israel to stop its aggression and completely withdraw from the Gaza Strip, in preparation for the implementation of the Arab-Islamic plan for early recovery and reconstruction. The statement stressed that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory, and that the State of Palestine must assume the responsibilities of governing it, as in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, with Arab and international support, and within the framework of the program of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the legitimate and sole representative of the Palestinian people, on the basis of "one system, one law, and one legitimate weapon." The ministers concluded their statement by calling on the international community, especially the permanent members of the Security Council, to assume their legal and moral responsibilities by obligating Israel to stop its aggression in Gaza and its escalation in the West Bank, and to stop the inflammatory statements of its officials, in addition to providing international protection for the Palestinian people and enabling them to exercise their legitimate rights, foremost of which is the establishment of their independent sovereign state and holding accountable those who commit crimes and violations against them.