ISLAMABAD (TNS) Muslims around the world are our voice against Israeli aggression, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says that the holding of the Arab-Islamic summit is a manifestation of this important message that ‘Muslims around the world are speaking in one voice against Israel’s illegal and reckless aggression’, which is a threat to the peace and security of the region. Israel must be held accountable for its war crimes against humanity, and a task force must be established to stop Israeli expansion plans. Addressing the emergency Arab-Islamic summit meeting in Doha, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan strongly condemns the Israeli attack on Doha, the Security Council demands an immediate unconditional ceasefire from the Zionist state, the release of hostages and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners. Israel violated the sovereignty and security of our brotherly country Qatar, Pakistan expresses complete solidarity with its Qatari brothers. Israel’s attack on Qatar is not the first incident, but rather a continuation of its open aggressive intentions. The Prime Minister said that even in times of war, the role of a mediator is considered very important, and they are considered the hope of keeping peace talks alive. We appreciate Qatar’s sincere and tireless diplomatic efforts for peace. Humanity is groaning in Gaza, Israel’s genocidal campaign has turned Gaza into ruins, after this aggression, the question is why Israel faked the talks? Israel must be held accountable for its war crimes against humanity, and a task force should be established to stop Israeli expansion plans. We reiterate the OIC’s demand that Israel’s membership of the United Nations be suspended, and that member states take appropriate measures against Israel. The Security Council should demand an immediate unconditional ceasefire from Israel, the release of hostages, and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners. The people of Gaza should be given safe access to humanitarian aid and medical and aid workers and UN observers should be allowed to enter. The Prime Minister said that we should find a two-state solution to this issue through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital. On the occasion of the emergency meeting of Arab and Islamic countries in Qatar, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also met with world leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the presidents of Tajikistan and Egypt. It should be noted that the emergency summit has been called to condemn Israel’s attack on Qatar and discuss its impact on the region in detail, in which the heads of more than 50 member states are participating. He also met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in which the two leaders discussed the situation that arose after Israel’s aggression on Doha. The Prime Minister strongly condemned Israel’s move and called it a sabotage of peace efforts in the Middle East. Shahbaz Sharif said that the holding of the Arab-Islamic summit is a manifestation of the important message that ‘Muslims around the world are speaking in one voice against Israel’s illegal and reckless aggression’, which is a threat to the peace and security of the region. The Saudi Crown Prince said that he looks forward to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh this weekend, which will provide the two countries with an important opportunity to comprehensively discuss bilateral, regional and global issues. The Saudi Crown Prince also praised the Prime Minister’s leadership and Pakistan’s active diplomatic efforts, including expressing solidarity with Qatar in the United Nations Security Council and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.Recall that China has repeatedly reiterated that world stability is impossible without peace in the Middle East and that the Palestinian issue has always been the center of tension in the Middle East. It is a positive development that the United Nations has formulated a practical plan of action for a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the establishment of a ‘two-state solution’, which is the only way to resolve this long-standing conflict. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a draft resolution, which endorsed the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Resolution of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. The resolution was adopted with 142 votes in favor, with only 10 against, while 12 members were absent, reflecting the consensus of the international community on the solution to the Palestinian issue. The declaration is the outcome of an international conference held at the UN Headquarters in New York in July, organized by France and Saudi Arabia, and which will be held again later this month. The Declaration and its annexes set out how a Palestinian state under the leadership of the Palestinian Authority would be established, how Gaza would be rebuilt and how a united Palestinian state would maintain good neighbourly relations with Israel. France, Saudi Arabia and the Co-Chairs of the Conference’s working groups should now take concrete steps that will lead to a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, the return of Palestinian prisoners, the delivery of large-scale aid throughout Gaza with the support of the United Nations, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2735. As the Declaration states, Gaza is an integral part of the Palestinian State and should be reunified with the West Bank, the responsibility for governance, law enforcement and security in the Palestinian territories should rest solely with the Palestinian Authority, with appropriate international support. The declaration emphasizes support for the Palestinian Authority, which should enable the disarmament, demilitarization and reintegration of Hamas and other Palestinian groups within a framework and timeline agreed upon with international partners, but no matter how detailed these steps are, it is a non-binding document that requires the cooperation of Israel, Hamas and other parties for its implementation. To make it effective, it is necessary for the international community to make a concerted effort to implement the declaration. The most urgent need is for relevant UN agencies and major powers to persuade Israel to open the Gaza crossings and ensure that humanitarian aid can reach the Palestinian people who are desperately in need of food and daily necessities. Mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar and the United States should also continue, so that first there is an immediate ceasefire, and then an agreement can be reached through negotiations between Hamas and Israel on the release of all hostages and the return of Palestinian prisoners. It goes without saying that a ceasefire in Gaza is essential before anything can be done to establish a united Palestinian state, and the provision of humanitarian aid to the besieged people is a top priority. Israel and all Palestinian organizations must be convinced that continuing to attack each other is a ‘vicious circle’ that stands in the way of achieving lasting peace and prosperity for both peoples and also stands in the way of harmonious development in the Middle East. It is a delusion that either Israel or Palestine can completely eliminate the other; peaceful coexistence as two neighboring countries is the only solution to the Palestinian issue. China has long supported the ‘two-state solution’ and has maintained that the establishment of a united Palestinian state is essential for a lasting solution to the issue and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. More countries, especially European countries, are also expressing their determination to recognize a Palestinian state. Major powers should step up their diplomatic efforts and do everything possible to make the ‘two-state solution’ a reality.
