Arab Summit Recognizes Role of Al Quds Committee Chaired by King Mohammed VI
This affirmation was included in the Cairo Declaration, which concluded the summit that convened to discuss developments in Gaza reconstruction and how to further support the Palestinian cause. Egypt hosted the summit incoordination with Bahrain – the current chair of the Arab League Council – and in consultation with Arab countries.
Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita represented King Mohammed VI at the gathering. The Moroccan delegation also included Mohammed Ait Ouali, Morocco's Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League, and Abdelali El Jahid, Head of the Arab and Islamic Organizations Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
'The Palestinian cause is at the same rank as the national cause'
In a press statement, Bourita reiterated the constant support of King Mohammed VI for all initiatives aimed at enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their legitimate rights. He affirmed that the King's vision on the Palestinian cause has always been clear, noting that it is placed 'at the same rank as the national cause of the Kingdom.'
Bourita declared that the summit was being held in a delicate situation marked by 'the repercussions of Israeli aggression against Gaza for nearly a year and a half of destruction and killings,' as well as following the announcement of a ceasefire that remains 'fragile, transgressed and faced with several difficulties.'
He stressed that Morocco's position, as defined by the King, rests on several points, clarifying that 'Gaza, like the West Bank, is part of Palestinian territory and it is therefore up to the Palestinian people to decide its future.' Bourita asserted that since these are Palestinian territories, 'it is the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Authority who must take the initiative to determine their future.'
Bourita pointed out that before reaching the reconstruction phase, 'it is imperative to consolidate the ceasefire, allow the delivery of humanitarian aid, move to the next stages in the ceasefire agreement and, finally, progress towards a lasting cessation of hostilities.'
He articulated that while the technical and financial aspects of reconstruction in Gaza are important, the operation 'must be deployed within the framework of a political vision and accompaniment,' with commitment from all regional and Palestinian actors to ensure its success.
The minister insisted that the dire situation in Gaza 'should in no way divert attention from what is happening in the West Bank and Al-Quds (Jerusalem).' He voiced the King's constant position, as President of the Al-Quds Committee, in favor of 'preserving the legal and historical status of the Holy City as a place of coexistence and supporting the resilience of its inhabitants, particularly in these difficult circumstances.'
On the sidelines of the summit, Bourita held talks with Badr Abdelatty, Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as with Taher Salem Al-Baour, the acting head of Libya's Foreign Ministry. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing issues on the summit's agenda.
The Cairo summit, which was assembled at the request of Palestine, sought to examine developments in the Palestinian issue and ways to support the Palestinian people, alongside unifying the Arab position on the issue and developing a practical plan to address current challenges.
Cairo Declaration
In their final declaration, the Arab leaders stated that 'peace remains the strategic choice for Arab nations' based on the two-state solution. They also stated their commitment to 'achieving a just and comprehensive peace that fulfills all Palestinian rights, particularly the right to freedom and an independent, sovereign state.'
The leaders specifically rejected 'any form of Palestinian displacement, whether within or beyond their land, under any pretext or justification,' describing such acts as 'severe violations of international law and crimes against humanity amounting to ethnic cleansing.'
They criticized 'policies of starvation and scorched-earth tactics aimed at forcing Palestinians from their land' and stressed 'Israel's obligation as an occupying power to abide by international legal rulings prohibiting demographic changes in the Palestinian territories.'
The declaration strongly condemned 'Israel's recent decision to halt humanitarian aid to Gaza and close border crossings used for relief operations,' stating that these measures 'violate the ceasefire agreement and international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention.'
The leaders also demanded 'an end to Israeli aggression in the West Bank, including settlement expansion, home demolitions, land confiscation, military raids, and violations of religious sites,' categorically rejecting 'any attempts to internally displace Palestinians.'
On holding Israel accountable, the declaration endorsed 'the international legal pursuit of Israeli accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the Palestinian people' and supported 'global legal actions to hold Israeli officials accountable.'
Regarding reconstruction efforts, the summit approved Egypt's recovery and reconstruction plan for Gaza, which was developed in coordination with Palestine and other Arab nations.
The plan comes as a stark counter to the controversial proposal that US President Donald Trump recently made, saying that he plans to 'take over' Gaza, threatening ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.
The Arab leaders expressed desire to hold an international conference in Cairo 'at the earliest opportunity' in order to support Gaza's reconstruction, which includes establishing financial pledges to aid necessary projects.
The declaration concluded by calling on 'the UN Security Council to deploy international peacekeeping forces in the West Bank and Gaza to safeguard security for Palestinians and Israelis while advancing the prospects of Palestinian statehood.' Tags: Arab Summit on GazaKing Mohammed VI and Al Quds Committee
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