Urgent Arab League and OIC Summit in Riyadh Addresses Israel's Genocidal Campaign in Gaza and Lebanon

Riyadh: A critical summit convened in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, brought together the leaders of 58 Muslim countries to discuss the devastating impact of Israel's genocidal operations and ethnic cleansing in Gaza and Lebanon. The summit, organized at the request of the Islamic Republic of Iran, focused on the destruction wreaked by Israel's ongoing military aggression in both regions.

This week marks the 400th day of Israel's aggression against Gaza, which has claimed nearly 50,000 Palestinian lives, the majority of whom are women and children. The summit was attended by prominent leaders, including Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and other key Muslim figures. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted the summit.

Commitment to Palestinian Statehood and Rejection of Israeli Occupation

The summit's final declaration emphasized the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The sovereignty of Palestine over its territory was described as a fundamental "red line," rejecting Israel's actions to Judaize Jerusalem and impose its control over Palestinian lands. The declaration also condemned Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian territories, labeling Israeli policies as unlawful and in violation of various UN resolutions and international law.

The Muslim countries expressed deep concern over Israel's brutal actions in Gaza and Lebanon, denouncing them as "inhuman atrocities" and stressing that Israel's encroachment on the sovereignty of Iran, Iraq, and Syria must stop. The summit condemned the large-scale disappearances of Palestinians and the abuse of prisoners in Israeli detention, as well as the Israeli regime's degrading treatment of Palestinians. The countries voiced their full support for Lebanon's security, stability, and welfare amid the ongoing Israeli aggression.

Call for United Action and Accountability

The declaration called for an immediate end to the ongoing aggression in Gaza and Lebanon and urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to pass binding resolutions to enforce a ceasefire in both regions. The summit also criticized Israel's ally countries for their contradictory policies, accusing them of weakening their own credibility and complicity in human rights abuses by continuing to support Israel despite its blatant violations.

In his speech, Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref highlighted the failure of the UN, particularly the UNSC, to halt Israel's crimes against Palestinians and Lebanese people. He attributed this failure to the strong backing of Israel by the United States and certain Western governments. Aref called for greater unity among Muslim and Arab countries and emphasized the need for coordinated action to confront Israel's aggressions.

Drawing on the legacy of Iran’s Islamic Revolution leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, who had once said that "if Muslims were united, Israel would be drowned," Aref stressed that Muslim unity is the key to defeating Israel's genocidal campaigns. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei also reiterated the importance of unity, stating that without it, victory over Israel and the restoration of respect and dignity for Muslims would not be possible.

Solidarity with Palestinians and Lebanon

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on the international community to provide full support to Palestinians and help implement UN resolutions to stop Israeli aggression in Gaza. He stressed the importance of ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati highlighted the severe crisis his country faces due to Israel's ongoing aggression, which threatens Lebanon’s very existence. He reported that over 3,000 Lebanese people have been killed, more than 13,000 injured, and over 1.2 million displaced. Mikati also revealed that the economic damage caused by the Israeli attacks has reached $8.5 billion, with extensive destruction to homes, infrastructure, and vital sectors such as health, education, and agriculture.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad warned that if Israel's aggression continues unchecked, it would amount to complicit genocide. He urged the international community to take action and utilize all available means to stop Israel’s violence. Assad referred to Israel’s leadership as an "illegitimate government," composed of criminals and warlords.

Support for Palestinian Resistance and Economic Sanctions on Israel

Yemeni representative and head of the political council, Mahdi al-Mashat, echoed calls for supporting Palestinian resistance movements and demanded the imposition of economic sanctions on Israel. He warned that if Israel's atrocities are allowed to continue unchecked, there would be severe consequences for all parties that continue to support Israel, particularly those providing diplomatic cover.

Saudi Arabia’s Commitment and Arab League's Position

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned Israel's crimes against Palestinians and Lebanese civilians and urged the international community to recognize the Palestinian government. He called for stronger measures to prevent Israel from escalating its aggression.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit supported the Crown Prince’s remarks, condemning Israel’s deadly and destructive campaign in Gaza and Lebanon. Jordan's King Abdullah also voiced strong opposition to Israel's expansion of the conflict to Lebanon and described the tragedy in Gaza as "unbearable." He stressed the urgent need for humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians.

Hamas Calls for a United Arab and Islamic Front

In a statement issued during the summit, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas called for the formation of a united Arab and Islamic front to put an end to Israel's crimes in Gaza and Lebanon. Hamas emphasized the need for international action to ensure that Israel is held accountable for its war crimes and urged Arab and Islamic nations to take a more coordinated and effective approach.

Conclusion

The Riyadh summit marked a significant moment in the ongoing struggle for Palestinian and Lebanese liberation, with Muslim nations expressing strong unity against Israel's genocidal campaign. The leaders' collective calls for action, from imposing economic sanctions on Israel to supporting Palestinian resistance, signal a renewed commitment to confronting Israel’s impunity on the international stage. The international community now faces heightened pressure to act, with millions of lives hanging in the balance in Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond.