Today's Edition
AHMED MURAD (MANAMA)
Amid current international movements toward recognising the State of Palestine, the 33rd regular session of the Arab League Council at the summit level, held in the Kingdom of Bahrain, bolsters global endorsement of establishing a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The summit prioritises the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state, intensifying Arab efforts to garner international support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.
Former Palestinian Ambassador to Cairo and its permanent representative to the Arab League, Ambassador Barakat Al-Farra, asserted that the summit provides substantial political and diplomatic backing for the Palestinian cause, aiming to realise statehood as outlined on June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as the capital.
In a statement to Aletihad, Al-Farra highlighted that the summit›s support coincides with advocating for a just solution to the refugee issue under UN General Assembly Resolution No. 194, which mandates the right of return for Palestinian refugees and compensation for their losses.
Al-Farra emphasised the importance of a unified Arab stance, which is crucial for implementing the two-state solution effectively.
Such unity is expected to exert considerable pressure on the United States to influence Israel›s acceptance of the solution.
He noted that the Bahrain summit marks a significant step toward establishing a Palestinian state, especially as numerous countries globally are moving to recognise the State of Palestine, reflecting a growing Arab and international momentum toward this aspiration.
Currently, about 137 of the 193 UN member states recognise the Palestinian state, with countries like Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, Malta, and others contemplating recognition, and Belgium possibly joining soon.
Bahraini political analyst Saad Rashid remarked that the Palestinian issue, particularly statehood on the June 4, 1967 borders, ranks high on the summit’s agenda.
The summit seeks to amplify global support for the Palestinian state through robust Arab initiatives spearheaded by nations like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
Rashid, in his statement to Aletihad, stated that there is a consensus on resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative from the 2002 Beirut Summit and international agreements favouring a two-state resolution as the sole path to regional peace, security, and stability.
Rashid added that “the Bahrain summit reasserts the Palestinian statehood issue on both regional and global stages, as it is a critical summit watched by the world, including major international powers. Arab leaders are keen to leverage this momentum to spotlight the Palestinian state”.
