Arab Parliamentary Union commends Qatar's efforts in supporting Palestinian cause

Qatar Tribune

05-05-2025

ALGIERS: The Arab Parliamentary Union (APU) has praised the prominent role played by the State of Qatar in supporting the Palestinian cause, appreciating its efforts to continue delivering humanitarian and relief aid to the Gaza Strip.
This came in the final statement issued by the Union's 38th conference, held in Algeria over two days under the theme 'The Role of the Arab Parliamentary Union in Light of Regional and International Changes', with the participation of the heads of Arab parliaments and legislative councils.
The State delegation to the conference was headed by Speaker of the Shura Council HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim.
Conference participants emphasized the centrality of the Palestinian cause and the importance of unifying Arab efforts to confront regional and international challenges.
The final statement noted Qatari initiatives, in coordination with international and regional organizations, that have contributed to providing essential food, medical, and relief supplies and alleviating the suffering of civilians amid the catastrophic conditions in the Gaza Strip.
It also commended the ongoing efforts of the State of Qatar and the Arab Republic of Egypt to de-escalate the situation in Gaza, reach a permanent ceasefire agreement, ensure the entry of humanitarian aid, redeploy Israeli forces, exchange prisoners, return displaced persons, and facilitate treatment for the wounded.
The conference welcomed the step taken by the State of Qatar in submitting a written memorandum to the International Court of Justice requesting an advisory opinion on Israel's obligations regarding the activities of the United Nations, other international organizations, and third states, stressing the importance of this memorandum in supporting relief and humanitarian organizations and ensuring a decent living for the Palestinian people.
The conference also commended the Turkish National Assembly's initiative to establish the 'Parliamentary Group in Support of Palestine', with the aim of unifying international parliamentary efforts to defend the Palestinian cause and support the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including ending the occupation, rejecting settlement activity, and preserving the religious character of Jerusalem, in addition to keeping the Palestinian issue on the agenda of international parliamentary forums.
The statement called on parliaments and legislative councils that are members of the Arab Parliamentary Union and all other international parliaments to join this group to strengthen a unified global parliamentary front.
It stressed that Palestine will remain the Arab nation's first and foremost cause, reiterating his categorical rejection of all Israeli schemes aimed at displacing Palestinians and changing the demographic character of the occupied territories, especially Jerusalem. He also emphasized his rejection of imposing a fait accompli or any form of forced displacement, considering it a crime against humanity.
The conference called for continued political support to mobilize international support for the Palestinian people and the preservation of their rights, stressing that a just and comprehensive peace can only be achieved through the withdrawal of the occupation from all occupied Arab territories to the borders of June 4, 1967, and the empowerment of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.
The statement condemned the occupation's policies, including the establishment of a 'voluntary departure' agency, settlement expansion, and racist calls to destroy Al Aqsa Mosque. It warned of the danger of Israeli provocations targeting the legal and historical status of Jerusalem, and called for urgent international action to protect the holy sites.
The statement emphasized that the Arab Parliamentary Union will remain the voice of the nation, defending Arab rights and protecting national sovereignty. It also emphasized the need to strengthen the Union's role in addressing regional and international changes, developing parliamentary legislation, and promoting joint Arab action.
The 38th Conference of the Arab Parliamentary Union discussed a number of topics, most notably enhancing Arab parliamentary cooperation to address current challenges, exploring mechanisms that contribute to supporting joint parliamentary action, and consolidating the Union's role in serving Arab issues on the regional and international arenas.