For the first time, the Nakba will be legally defined, and those who deny it will be condemned. Furthermore, May 15 will be designated as an annual Arab and international day to remember the Nakba. Ambassador Al-Aklouk described this as an important and historic achievement.
At the Arab League Council meeting attended by permanent delegates, preparations for the foreign ministers' gathering and the Arab Summit in Jeddah were discussed. Member states expressed support for establishing an open-ended Arab ministerial committee, headed by the rotating presidency of the summit. The committee includes Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Qatar, Lebanon, Morocco, and Mauritania. Its first ministerial-level meeting is scheduled for the following day during the preparatory sessions.
During a closed session intervention, Ambassador Al-Aklouk appealed to Arab nations to back Palestinian initiatives through the Arab Summit or bilateral relations. He emphasized the crucial need for international protection for Palestinians, who face ongoing and systematic israeli aggression. He highlighted the role of Security Council resolutions, United Nations General Assembly resolutions, the Secretary-General, and potential options to swiftly implement international protection.
The ambassador further stressed the importance of holding the zionist occupation accountable for its crimes. He called for recourse to the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. Member states were urged to submit written pleadings to the International Court of Justice before July 25, 2023, emphasizing the illegality of the occupation and its imposition of a racist regime resembling settler colonialism. This step aims to contribute practically to Arab efforts towards accountability and ending the occupation.
Ambassador Al-Aklouk called for adding the zionist occupation army to the UN's "list of shame" for killing children. He also urged the Human Rights Council and its ongoing commission of inquiry to investigate Israeli violations.
The ambassador also called for endorsing an international peace conference that would lead to a political process within a specific timeframe. This process would adhere to international law and resolutions regarding the Palestinian cause.
Finally, Ambassador Al-Aklouk revealed that the upcoming Arab Summit would issue an important decision to establish an advisory legal committee within the Arab League. This committee will provide the necessary legal advice to support Palestine's efforts in holding the zionist occupation government accountable and seeking prosecution. (ILKHA)