Arab Summit: Gaza Ceasefire Prioritized, Sudan Crisis Also on Agenda

Manama, Bahrain – The ongoing Israeli conflict in Gaza will be the central focus of the Arab Summit set to take place in Bahrain on Thursday, as momentum builds for an international conference supporting a two-state solution.

However, a senior official stated on Tuesday that severing ties with Israel was not discussed by the foreign ministers of Arab League countries. Instead, they concentrated on forming a unified position on Gaza ahead of the summit in Bahrain.

#ArabSummit : Portraits of Syrian dictator Bashar Al-Assad have appeared around #Bahrain ahead of an Arab Summit in Manama, which have been decried as 'disgusting' by pro-democracy activists. Have a look at Pre- summit arrangements; #WATCH #ViralVideos #BINI #BINI #auspol #BINI pic.twitter.com/j8dFgtmQFy

— Dr. Shahid Siddiqui (@shahidsiddiqui) May 14, 2024

Hossam Zaki, Assistant Secretary General of the Arab League, informed the media that cutting off diplomatic ties “was not discussed in the meeting” on Tuesday.

He emphasized that there was a consensus among attendees at this year’s Arab League summit, which is expected to concentrate on the conflict in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Arab League Chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit called for unified Arab action to halt the conflict and facilitate the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the two-state solution.

The dire situation in Gaza significantly influenced the Arab Foreign Ministers’ preparatory meeting for the Arab Summit in Bahrain on Tuesday.

Aboul Gheit conveyed deep anger and sorrow over the situation in Gaza, denouncing Israeli leaders for what he described as a thirst for revenge resulting in egregious crimes amounting to ethnic cleansing. He labeled the aggression a “shameful stain” on both Israel and the global community, emphasizing the necessity of ongoing international intervention as Palestinians and Israelis cannot resolve the issue alone. 

Stressing Israel’s refusal to end the occupation and establish a Palestinian state, he called for international intervention to prevent genocide and declared bilateral negotiations futile. Sources revealed that Arab foreign ministers discussed aligning their positions to present a unified stance on the Gaza conflict and Palestinian statehood at the upcoming Arab summit, coordinating on summit documents and resolutions.

Arab foreign ministers convened for an informal meeting with Aboul Gheit ahead of the preparatory session for the 33rd Arab Summit in Bahrain. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan underscored Saudi Arabia’s endorsement of an immediate and enduring ceasefire, sustained humanitarian access, and a clear pathway to a two-state resolution for Palestine. 

Aboul Gheit reaffirmed the Arab coalition’s commitment to recognizing Palestine within a comprehensive framework leading to an inclusive international conference involving all stakeholders dedicated to the two-state paradigm. 

Post the Arab foreign ministers’ assembly on Tuesday, Zaki underscored the breadth of Arab consensus on Palestine across diverse spheres, emphasizing robust political backing as pivotal to upholding the cause’s integrity. Arab nations endorse the proposition for an international summit to safeguard Palestinian interests and advance towards a two-state resolution. 

Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani and Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Ayman Safadi convened on Monday to deliberate on Gaza’s crisis and regional initiatives to quell the conflict. 

Both officials emphasized the imperative of halting military operations in Rafah and cautioned against Israel’s ongoing occupation of the Palestinian section of the Rafah crossing, hindering humanitarian aid efforts. They reiterated the necessity of implementing the two-state resolution to end the occupation and uphold Palestinian rights. 

The agenda of the Arab Summit in Bahrain encompasses cooperation across political, economic, social, cultural, media, and security domains, as well as collaboration with international and regional entities. 

Alongside Gaza, the summit will address crises such as the conflict in Sudan, which is also grappling with famine. 

Additionally, the summit will address crises in Libya, Yemen, and Syria. Aboul Gheit emphasized the ongoing imperative for Arab endeavors to prevent these crises from fading into oblivion.

– Dr. Shahid Siddiqui; Follow via X @shahidsiddiqui

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