Head of Arab League says Israeli disregard for international law is beyond all limits

The Secretary General of the League of Arab States has said that “Israel’s disregard for international law, public opinion and human rights conventions is far beyond all limits.” Speaking on Tuesday during the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinians, Dr. Nabil Al-Arabi said, “The world should realise that the Palestinian issue is the key to achieving regional and international security and resolving it will help to solve all international and regional issues and crises, bringing much-desired stability to all the people in the region.”

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The continued failure of the international community to find a just and comprehensive solution to this decades-old conflict, claimed Dr Al-Arabi, “will lead to increased instability, tension and violence, with the gravest consequences for international peace and security.” Such a solution, he added, must ensure the return of land to its rightful owners, an end to Israeli occupation and the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Secretary-General Al-Arabi stressed that it’s time for the Palestinian people to gain freedom and independence so that they can live like other people around the world, in freedom with their own state. “The international community must work towards achieving this legitimate goal and push for justice and the implement of the values and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.”

This year’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinians comes at a time of tension and negative developments due to Israeli intransigence, warned Dr Al-Arabi. “This is manifested in the Israeli government’s refusal to freeze illegal settlement activity in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem.” That is how much the Israeli government cares about the prospects for peaceful negotiations, he said.

Dr Al-Arabi told journalists that despite the international community’s consensus on the two-state solution to achieve a peaceful settlement, with the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, Israel continues to defy and violate international law and human rights conventions. Its settlement policy is intended to take up ever more Palestinian land and create new “facts on the ground” which threaten the possibility of two viable states living side-by-side in peace. “Moreover, Israel proceeds with its illegal Judaisation policy in East Jerusalem and its surroundings, changing the demographic and historical composition of the occupied territory and trying to destroy its Muslim and Christian history and heritage.”

The Arab League head called upon the international community, particularly the UN Security Council and the Middle East Quartet, especially the USA, “to act responsibly and put an end to the prevarication and procrastination of the Israeli government towards the peace process and peace negotiations.” In doing so, Dr Al-Arabi also expressed his surprise at Europe’s position in the face of “Israeli intransigence and arrogance”.