The 33rd Arab League Summit, held in Manama, Bahrain, called for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the Gaza Strip and the deployment of international peacekeeping forces in the occupied Palestinian territories. The summit, chaired by Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, reiterated the Arab League’s firm support for a just and comprehensive peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and their backing for an international peace conference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The leaders emphasized the core importance of Palestine as a central issue and foundation for achieving peace and stability in the region, denouncing illegal Israeli measures and practices targeting the Palestinian people.
The summit highlighted the need for the international community to advance the peace process towards achieving a just peace based on the two-state solution. They called for the deployment of international protection and peacekeeping forces affiliated with the United Nations in the occupied Palestinian territory until the implementation of the two-state solution. Additionally, the Arab leaders directed their foreign ministers to engage with other countries to urge them to recognize the State of Palestine. The leaders reaffirmed their call for a just and comprehensive peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and supported President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine in convening an international peace conference.
In response to the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza and crimes committed against the Palestinian people, the Arab leaders called for an immediate Israeli military withdrawal from Rafah city in Gaza and an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. They condemned attempts of forced displacement of Palestinians and all forms of siege, urging for full access to humanitarian aid and protection of civilians. The leaders also denounced Israeli violations of international law and human rights, including targeting civilians and infrastructure and attempting forced displacement.
The Arab League Summit emphasized the sanctity of Jerusalem and condemned all attempts by Israel to change its Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity. The leaders stressed the need to protect Jerusalem’s holy sites and prevent any compromises on its cultural identity and religious sanctity. The summit called for unity among Palestinian factions under the umbrella of the Palestine Liberation Organization to focus efforts towards achieving the aspirations of the Palestinian people and establishing their independent national State.
The leaders also reiterated their call for a Middle East free of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction, supporting states’ rights to possess peaceful nuclear energy. They urged states to fulfill their obligations and cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The summit underlined the importance of ending conflicts and establishing peace in Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, and Libya. The leaders expressed solidarity with Sudan in preserving its sovereignty and urged the Sudanese government and Rapid Support Forces to engage in initiatives to settle the crisis.
In conclusion, the Arab League Summit’s “Manama Declaration” emphasized the urgent need for the international community to support a just and comprehensive peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution. The summit called for the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, deployment of international peacekeeping forces, and recognition of the State of Palestine. The leaders reaffirmed their support for President Mahmoud Abbas’ call for an international peace conference and urged unity among Palestinian factions. The summit also underlined the importance of ending conflicts in various countries in the region and supporting a Middle East free of nuclear weapons.
