WANA (Nov 12) – In the draft final statement of the Arab and Islamic summit held yesterday in Riyadh, leaders emphasized the need to support the Palestinian people in achieving their national rights, stating that Palestine remains a central issue and that Jerusalem is a “red line” for Arab and Islamic nations.

 

The draft statement presented at the summit emphasized that Arab and Islamic leaders in Riyadh reaffirmed the centrality of the Palestinian issue and voiced their strong support for the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights, including the right to freedom and the establishment of an independent state based on the June 4, 1967, borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

 

The attendees stressed that among the Palestinians’ national rights, the right of refugees to return to their homeland and to receive compensation, as outlined in relevant resolutions—particularly Resolution 194—is at the forefront.

 

 

The Palestinian cause, like all just struggles of people fighting to end occupation, was reaffirmed, along with the sovereignty of the State of Palestine over occupied East Jerusalem as its eternal capital.

 

The participants expressed opposition to any decision or action by the Israeli regime aimed at Judaizing occupied East Jerusalem and solidifying its occupation. They reaffirmed that Jerusalem is a red line for Arab and Islamic nations and that protecting the Arab and Islamic identity of occupied East Jerusalem is essential.

 

The draft also emphasized defending the sanctity of holy sites in Palestine.

 

The leaders reiterated previous positions from other meetings, stressing the need to confront Israeli aggression against Lebanon and Gaza, warning against the dangers of escalating conflicts and the expansion of aggressions, which have recently affected Lebanon.

 

 

The Riyadh summit participants called on the international community to implement all decisions made by the International Court of Justice on July 19. They strongly condemned the forced disappearances of thousands of Palestinians by Israeli occupying forces since the start of the Gaza invasion, as well as the horrific crimes committed by the occupying army in what they described as acts of genocide in Gaza.

 

The summit’s draft statement called for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and the full implementation of Resolution 1701, while warning of the dangers of Israeli violations of Syrian and Iranian sovereignty, given the lack of serious action from the international community, which has remained largely a bystander.

 

The draft further emphasized the need for a binding Security Council resolution under Chapter VII to compel Israel to observe a ceasefire in Gaza and respond to the international consensus that the State of Palestine qualifies for full membership in the United Nations.

 

 

The summit was inaugurated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who stated that this summit builds upon previous meetings to address Israel’s aggressions against Gaza and Lebanon. He declared that Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli aggressions against Iranian territories.

 

The Arab and Islamic summit took place yesterday, Monday, in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, with Iran represented by First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref.

 

Upon his arrival in Riyadh on Monday morning, Aref was welcomed by Saudi officials. In his address, he emphasized the unified stance of Islamic countries in urgently ending Israel’s crimes and providing aid to the displaced, attributing the occupying regime’s increasing boldness to the global community’s silence.