The Arab League Council on the level of Arab foreign ministers condemned and rejected the US decision announced by its foreign minister, considering the Israeli settlement in the occupied Palestinian territory in 1967 does not violate international law, where the Council stressed that the resolution is invalid, and constitutes a war on Palestine, while the UAE confirmed that Washington's legitimization of Israeli settlements undermines peace efforts.
In a resolution issued under the title "Rejecting the American decision to consider Israeli settlements not contrary to international law," the Council stressed at the conclusion of its extraordinary session yesterday, under the chairmanship of Iraq, that this American decision is null and void, has no legal effect, and is a clear violation of the Charter. And United Nations resolutions.
The Council warned that the US administration's approach to unilateral decisions is in flagrant violation of international law and UN resolutions related to the issue and is a real threat to security, peace and stability in the Middle East and the world and an unprecedented disregard for and adherence to the international system based on international law. .
The council considered the US decision as an attempt to legitimize and support Israeli settlement, which would prejudice the Arab peace initiative, which provides for the withdrawal of Israel to the lines of June 4, 1967, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and finding a just and agreed solution to the refugee issue, in accordance with the General Assembly resolution. United Nations No. 194 of 1948.
The Council reiterated its condemnation of the illegal expansionist Israeli settlement policy, in all its manifestations, over the entire territory of the State of Palestine occupied in 1967, including East Jerusalem, as the Israeli colonial settlements constituted a grave violation of international law and United Nations resolutions and aimed at dividing Palestinian land.
The Council called for mobilizing Arab efforts to work with international partners to take measures to hold Israel accountable for its illegal settlement policy and practices.
The statement urged the ICC prosecutor to open an investigation into the crime of full-fledged settlement activity, in accordance with the Rome Statute, and to call on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to quickly release the database of companies operating in Israeli settlements and to boycott any institution or company operating in Israeli settlements.
He praised the recent decision of the European Court of Justice, which states that the products of goods from Israeli settlements should be labeled.
The Council strongly condemned the recent barbaric Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, which killed dozens of martyrs and wounded, and condemned the policy of Israeli assassinations, extrajudicial executions, indiscriminate detention, shelling and demolition of houses and infrastructure of the Palestinian people.
The statement demanded that Israeli officials responsible for these crimes be brought to the international courts, based on the reports and recommendations of the committees of inquiry and fact-finding that emerged from the UN Human Rights Council.
The Council warned against exploiting the illegal cover provided by unilateral US resolutions to encourage Israel to enact invalid and illegal legislation aimed at annexing the Jordan Valley and parts of the occupied West Bank, intensifying the pace of colonial settlement and Judaizing the occupied city of Jerusalem.
The Council thanked and appreciated the countries and organizations that took positions rejecting the American decision, and stressed the illegality of Israeli settlements, describing them as qualitative and influential positions that reaffirmed the isolation of successive US unilateral decisions in support of the Israeli occupation.
The Council declared the determination of the Arab States to take political, economic and diplomatic positions, bilaterally and multilaterally, to defend the central cause of the Arab nation and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.
It was decided to keep the Council of the League of Arab States in permanent session to follow up developments related to this resolution.
Secretary of State Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh said yesterday that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's statement on the legitimization of West Bank settlements undermines peace efforts in the region.
Speaking at a meeting at the university to discuss the US position, Nusseibeh said that what America has done is a dangerous development, represents a clear violation of international consensus and international resolutions, undermines international efforts and impedes peace efforts.
He added that these decisions would affect Palestinian rights and inflame the feelings of Arabs and Muslims, which has serious repercussions on the chances of peace, the peace process and the spread of terrorism in the region.
He said: `` We call for a just and comprehensive solution to the establishment of the State of Palestine on the borders of 1967 and in accordance with international legitimacy, stressing that the recent American developments necessitate the international community to assume its responsibilities to end and reject all settlement activities, and to take all measures to end the occupation on all Palestinian and Arab territories. ''
He stressed the importance of the League to continue its efforts, support the Palestinian cause in all international forums, and reject any steps that undermine a just and comprehensive peace.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said that the US administration in its successive resolutions adopted the full Israeli position and declared war on the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights and rights. He explained that the American decision on the Israeli settlements is illegal and void in terms of international law.
The Saudi foreign minister reiterated his country's position that resolving the issue is the cornerstone of achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East.
The Secretary-General of the League, Ahmed Abul-Gheit, has said that the US declaration strikes decisions of international legitimacy, stressing that the settlement remains a kind of occupation, which is void in accordance with international laws.
He continued, saying: «We all stand with the Palestinian people, and support, and carry its cause to the whole world, the American declaration of legitimacy of settlement undermines the peace process».
• The UAE calls for a just and comprehensive solution to the establishment of the state of Palestine on the borders of 1967 and in accordance with international legitimacy.