Arab League and OIC leaders stand firm on Palestinian rights at Riyadh summit

The extraordinary joint summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, produced a joint statement reaffirming the full sovereignty of Palestine over occupied East Jerusalem as its eternal capital.

The statement strongly emphasized the centrality of the Palestinian cause and the unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s inalienable national rights, including the right to establish an independent and sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The joint declaration also condemned Israel’s actions aimed at judaizing Jerusalem and maintaining its occupation.

Additionally, the summit called for the full implementation of UN resolutions, particularly those under Resolution 194, and demanded international efforts to stop Israel’s violations of international law. The statement reiterated the Arab and Islamic world’s solidarity in defending the Arab and Islamic identity of East Jerusalem, protecting its sacred sites, and ensuring the inviolability of its Islamic and Christian holy places.

The leaders at the summit also condemned Israel’s ongoing aggressive policies in Gaza, Lebanon, and other occupied Palestinian territories, and called for an immediate end to Israel’s violent actions and for the release of Palestinian prisoners. They urged the United Nations and international community to take stronger measures against Israel’s violations, including calls for sanctions, and to ensure accountability for war crimes.

The statement concluded with a call for increased global support for the Palestinian cause, including efforts to grant full membership to the State of Palestine in the United Nations and to implement a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders.