Al-Yahmadi: Iraq's Hosting of Arab Parliament Sessions Underscores Deep-rooted Solidarity with the Palestinian Cause

Iraqi News

19-04-2025

Baghdad – INA
President of the Arab Parliament, Mohammed Ahmed Al-Yahmadi, asserted on Saturday that Iraq's hosting of the Arab Parliament's sessions serves as a powerful testament to the Arab world's unwavering solidarity in support of Palestine.
In his address while chairing the Palestine Committee—attended by an Iraqi News Agency (INA) correspondent—Al-Yahmadi stated:
'We extend our sincerest greetings as we convene the first session of the Palestine Committee within the fourth legislative term, here in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. This session is dedicated to deliberating the Palestinian issue and the ongoing atrocities being inflicted upon its people—including mass killings, forced displacement, and the wholesale destruction of essential infrastructure such as healthcare facilities, administrative centers, water networks, electricity grids, and transportation routes. These acts constitute some of the most egregious violations of international humanitarian law, committed by the Zionist occupation in both Gaza and the West Bank, leaving thousands of civilians—primarily women and children—dead, countless others missing beneath the rubble, and over two million Palestinians displaced and struggling to survive amidst severe shortages of food and potable water.'
He continued:Firm in our conviction that the Palestinian cause remains the Arab world's foremost and most sacred issue, the Arab Parliament categorically rejects any and all efforts aimed at liquidating or undermining the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. The Parliament reaffirms its resolute commitment to the Palestinian struggle through sustained diplomatic engagement and coordinated efforts with regional legislative bodies. We call for the mobilization of international support, not only in solidarity with the Palestinian people's suffering, but also to help them achieve their full legitimate rights. Furthermore, we demand a firm international stance to hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable, initiate immediate reconstruction in Gaza, halt all forced displacements, and support the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, as a pathway to enduring peace and stability in the region.'
Al-Yahmadi added: Our presence today within the halls of the Iraqi Parliament—and Iraq's initiative in hosting these critical deliberations—reflects the depth of mutual solidarity between the Iraqi and Arab parliaments, and a shared commitment to supporting our Palestinian brothers and sisters. This meeting affirms the imperative of reinforcing Arab unity in defense of the Palestinian cause, and in pursuit of a just and lasting peace. We reiterate our support for the Palestinian people's steadfastness on their ancestral land, reject all forms of demographic engineering or forced migration, and call for robust Arab contributions toward the swift and comprehensive reconstruction of Gaza in a manner that guarantees the population's continued existence on their homeland.'
He emphasized:We call for the immediate return of all displaced persons, an urgent and comprehensive ceasefire, the full withdrawal of occupying forces from the entirety of Gaza, and the unconditional lifting of the siege to facilitate the unhindered delivery of humanitarian and medical aid. We categorically condemn the targeted bombings of hospitals and humanitarian institutions by the occupation forces.'
Al-Yahmadi warned that 'the occupying power has flagrantly crossed all red lines and is actively engaged in policies of ethnic cleansing. We denounce its ongoing campaign of assassinations and its attempts to silence voices of truth and justice. We call upon the international community—particularly the United Nations Security Council and the International Criminal Court—to undertake immediate, concrete action to halt the aggression in Gaza and hold the leaders of the occupation fully accountable for their continuous war crimes.'
He concluded by welcoming 'the outcomes of the emergency Arab Summit hosted by the Arab Republic of Egypt on March 4, 2025, which reaffirmed the unity of the Arab position and its categorical rejection of the forced displacement of Palestinians under any pretext—rightly identifying such acts as crimes of ethnic cleansing and violations of human rights. The Arab Parliament fully endorses the reconstruction plan proposed by Egypt and adopted by the summit, as it ensures the resilience and permanence of the Palestinian people on their historic homeland. We commend the tireless efforts of Arab leaders who continue to champion the Palestinian cause and uphold the legitimate rights of its people in the face of ongoing aggression.'