RIYADH: Secretary General of the GCC, Jasem Al-Budaiwi, stressed that the outlandish and preposterous statement made by a Zionist minister on Al-Aqsa mosque confirmed the desire to continue inflaming the situation and ensuring that stability was not achieved in the region. According to a statement issued by the GCC, the Secretary General also expressed his complete rejection, condemnation, and strong denunciation of such extremist and provocative statements, which called for the establishment of a synagogue in Al Aqsa Mosque, emphasizing the need to respect Islamic sanctities and to stop these attempts aimed at Judaizing Al-Aqsa Mosque.

He also called on the international community to take immediate action and assume its responsibilities in halting these violations. He reiterated the firm positions of the GCC states regarding the Palestinian cause as the foremost concern for Arabs and Muslims and reiterated support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Meanwhile, the Arab Parliament issued a strong condemnation on Tuesday in response to comments made by extremist Zionist Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. In a statement, the Arab Parliament described Ben-Gvir’s remarks as provocative and dangerous, asserting that they pose a direct threat to the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The statement emphasized that such comments were part of ongoing efforts by the occupation to alter the Arab character of Jerusalem and undermine the rights of the Palestinian people.

The Parliament warned of the serious consequences these actions could have on regional peace and stability, particularly in light of efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. The Arab Parliament called on the international community and relevant institutions to intervene urgently to halt these actions and statements, which it warned could escalate the conflict and heighten tensions in the region. The Parliament also called for international protection for the Palestinians, their holy sites, and a just, lasting, and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

The GCC Secretary-General has reiterated that the ever-escalating tensions in the Middle East stem from two main reasons: Zionists’ unjust occupation in Palestine and their countless international law violations in Gaza. During his address at the ‘European Forum Alpbach 2024’ in Austria, Al-Budaiwi called on the international community to hold Zionists accountable for their abhorrent war crimes and international law violations, as he restated the GCC’s backing of establishing an independent state of Palestine according to the 1967 borders.

Al-Budaiwi renewed the GCC’s invitation to hold an international conference with all concerned parties attending to settle this conflict and achieve a permanent ceasefire. The Secretary General pointed to the soaring global challenges and highlighted the significant role of diplomacy and international cooperation to collectively find solutions that ensure global peace and stability. He added that recent initiatives by the GCC aim to create favorable conditions for smooth negotiations, guided by international law and the UN Charter.

Al-Budaiwi affirmed the GCC’s ongoing efforts to provide humanitarian aid to affected countries, particularly their efforts in Yemen and Sudan, affirming their commitment to relieve the civilians from the suffering of conflicts. The European Forum Alpbach 2024, organized from August 24th to August 26th, 2024, by the Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs, is part of the UN-Austria initiative on multilateral partnerships. — KUNA