By Sama Marwan,
The Arab Parliament reaffirmed its full support on Sunday for the Palestinian National Authority in assuming its responsibilities across all Palestinian territories, including Gaza, Jerusalem, and the West Bank, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the political and geographical unity of these areas and asserting that Jerusalem is their capital.
The Arab Parliament also urged countries with economic ties to Israel to cease dealings with companies extracting oil and gas in Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza, considering such activities a violation of international law.
At the conclusion of its second session of the first term of the fourth legislative chapter, chaired by Mohamed Al-Yamahi at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, the Parliament stressed the need to pressure the “Israeli Occupation Knesset” to halt its racist legislations and revoke its decisions concerning UNRWA, describing these actions as clear violations of international laws.
Boycotting Israel and Calls to Condemn the Occupation
The Parliament called for freezing the membership of the “Occupation Knesset” in the Inter-Parliamentary Union and other international organizations. It also appealed to international and regional parliaments to recognize the State of Palestine in all international forums.
The Parliament asserted that any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza, the West Bank, or Jerusalem constitute a war crime and a blatant violation of international law.
The Arab Parliament commended Arab and international efforts to halt aggression against Gaza and achieve a permanent ceasefire. It also supported the joint Egyptian-Qatari efforts to find a lasting solution to the aggression, which includes returning displaced persons to their homes and ensuring adequate humanitarian aid delivery.
International Support for Palestine and United Nations Membership
The Parliament expressed its full support for Palestine’s efforts to obtain full membership in the United Nations, praising the role of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria in supporting the Palestinian cause in the Security Council. It also called for rallying international support for Palestine’s UN membership.
The Arab Parliament stressed the importance of holding the Israeli occupation accountable for pirating Palestinian funds and called on the international community to provide support to the Palestinian Authority so it can fully perform its duties.
It rejected any external attempts to sideline the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), emphasizing that it remains the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
Condemning Violence Against Palestinian Prisoners
The Arab Parliament denounced systematic violence against Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention centers, including torture and sexual harassment, considering these acts flagrant violations of prisoners’ rights that demand international intervention to halt these crimes.
Deputy Chairman of the Parliament’s “Palestine Committee,” Nasser Abu Bakr, stated that these decisions reflect a practical and effective approach to supporting the Palestinian cause. He affirmed that the Arab Parliament will continue engaging with regional and international parliaments to uphold Palestinian rights, work towards ending the occupation, and stop the aggression.
He added that what is happening in Gaza is a major humanitarian crime, noting that the international community ignores the suffering of the Palestinian people while offering unconditional support to the Israeli occupation, as Palestinians endure siege and bombardment.
