Addis Ababa, November 05 (QNA) - The League of Arab States; the Organization of Islamic Cooperation; and the African Union Commission have underlined the necessity of implementing the second phase of the the Gaza Peace Agreement, leading to permanent ceasefire; ending the Israeli siege and occupation; the opening of all crossing points to facilitate safe and unhindered flow of humanitarian assistance; and commencing the reconstruction of Gaza while ensuring territorial contiguity and integrity.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday by their consultative meeting on the developments relating to the Palestinian Cause, held in Addis Ababa with the participation of high-level delegations, the three organizations voiced their rejection of any Israeli attempts or plans to forcibly displace the Palestinian people, whether from the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, considering such acts a war crime, a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and a grave threat to regional and international peace and security.

The Organizations affirmed that just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region can only be achieved through the implementation of the two-state solution based on ending the Israeli colonial occupation and on immediate and unconditional withdrawal, in order to realize the independent and sovereign State of Palestine on the lines of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the principles of international law, the relevant United Nations resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

They also renewed their commitments to advocate for taking practical steps to implement the two-state solution,  continue working to implement the relevant resolutions of the United Nations and international organizations, and the New York Declaration (2025), and stress the need for Member States to take adequate measures in order to achieve the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to independence, return, self-determination and statehood.

The joint statement called on states that have moved or announced their intention to move their diplomatic missions to Occupied Jerusalem, to rescind these unlawful decisions that violates the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, and refrain from taking any stance, decision or action capable of consolidating the Israeli occupation or recognizing illegal annexation measure and attempts to impose alleged sovereignty over the city. It called on these states to comply with their responsibilities under international law.

The three Organizations stressed the illegality of all Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory and the imperative of dismantling them and warned against the danger of rising systematic crimes, violence and terrorism practiced by the extremist settlers under the full cover and protection of the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people, their properties, land and holy sites.

They demanded the international community to end these crimes and hold their perpetrators accountable in line with international criminal law, and demanded the disarmament of the settlers in implementation of the Security Council resolution 904 (1994).

The three organizations also welcomed the relevant resolutions adopted by the UN Human Rights Council, including the database of business enterprises involved in illegal settlement in the occupied Palestinian territory including East Jerusalem, calling upon states to take the necessary legal and economic measures in compliance with the UN Human Rights Council resolutions.

They reaffirmed that East Jerusalem is an integral part of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967; reject all illegal decisions and steps taken by the Israeli occupation authorities to alter the political, geographic and demographic status in occupied Jerusalem; and called for the preservation of the historical and legal status of the Islamic and Christian holy sites, particularly the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.

They also condemned the crimes of forced disappearance, execution, abuse and torture and all violations to which Palestinian prisoners are subjected in Israeli occupation prisons, calling for the Israeli occupation authorities to disclose the fate of the Palestinian prisoners and ensure their rights are protected according to international human rights and humanitarian law.

The three organizations called on the international community to take all necessary steps to ensure holding the Israeli occupation forces accountable at national and international courts, especially at the International Court of Justice, end the state of impunity and provide international protection for the Palestinian people.

The Statement emphasized that Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, stressing the need to provide all forms of support to the Government of the State of Palestine to assume its full responsibility over the entire occupied Palestinian territory, including the Gaza Strip, and to compel the Israeli occupation to release immediately and fully all illegally seized Palestinian taxes. 

The three organizations also welcomed the decision of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to inscribe the archaeological site of Sebastia on the List of World Heritage in Danger, deeming the decision an important step reflecting the civilization, historical and heritage significance of Palestine and its people. They called upon UNESCO to continue assuming its responsibilities to protect Palestine's culture and religious heritage and its Islamic and Christian Holy Sites.

They reiterated full support to the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and condemned all illegal Israeli policies and measures targeting its mandate and indispensable role in service of the Palestinian refugees and protection of their rights until their issue is resolved in accordance with relevant UN resolutions.

In their joint statement, League of Arab States; the Organization of Islamic Cooperation; and the African Union Commission expressed high appreciation for the stances and decisions of the states that recognized the State of Palestine, urging other states to follow suit and support its full membership in the United Nations, that being an essential pillar for the implementation of the two-state solution and the realization of peace, stability and security in the region.

The three organization affirmed commitment to continue working within the "Tripartite Mechanism in Support of the Palestinian Cause" towards advancing a just, lasting and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian Cause. (QNA)