Morocco’s King deplores tragic situation in Palestinian territories, calls for immediate, comprehensive, sustainable ceasefire

King Mohammed VI has deplored the tragic situation in Palestinian territories, which requires a decisive action for achieving an immediate, comprehensive, and Sustainable ceasefire.

The tragic situation in the Palestinian territories, especially in the Gaza Strip, and the related regional and international challenges call out to the conscience of the world and require decisive action for the achievement of an immediate, comprehensive, and sustainable ceasefire, King Mohammed VI stated in a message to the Chairman of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, Cheikh Niang.

“They also require greater joint action to support and protect human rights in the Palestinian territories, implement relevant UN resolutions and ensure full compliance with international law and international humanitarian law,” the Sovereign stressed in a message sent to Cheikh Niang on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, celebrated on November 26 this year.

The Monarch, who expressed regrets regarding the continuing Israeli military invasion of the Gaza Strip, called on the entire world to “take urgent, immediate action to stop the war, compel Israel to lift the siege imposed on the Strip, and allow the return of displaced people as a prelude to starting the reconstruction of what was destroyed by the war.”

Likewise, given the impasse in the Middle East peace process and the difficult conditions currently prevailing in the region, the King called once again on the international community, “especially the influential countries which can have an impact on the conflict, to undertake fresh, intensive and effective diplomatic efforts with a view to bringing back the parties concerned to the negotiating table.”

“The aim is to achieve a just, comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue and build a common future for upcoming Palestinian and Israeli generations, within the framework of the two-state solution,” the King wrote in this message.

The Monarch also stressed that in view of the serious, unprecedented developments in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, “the Kingdom of Morocco expresses its deep concern over the tragic conditions resulting from the continued Israeli invasion.”

The invasion has so far “claimed the lives of thousands of innocent, defenseless civilians. Millions of Palestinians have been deprived of their basic rights to housing, food, health, clean water, education and security; they have been forcibly displaced or made to migrate due to massive, wide-ranging destruction of infrastructure in the region,” the King added.

King Mohammed VI also noted that the Israeli unilateral measures and repeated provocations in the city of al-Qods are undermining all efforts to achieve a return to calm and ruining all international initiatives designed to stop the violence and put an end to tension in the region.

“As Chairman of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s al-Quds Committee, I have personally seen to it that all possible efforts are made, and all ways and means available leveraged to preserve the legal, historical and demographic status of al-Qods as the city that brings together the followers of the three monotheistic religions,” the King pointed out, reasserting that Morocco will keep up its untiring efforts to defend the holy city, politically and diplomatically.

As the executive, action-oriented organ of the al-Quds Committee, the Bayt Mal al-Qods Agency will continue to implement tangible programs and projects essentially designed to preserve the cultural identity of the holy city, improve the social and living conditions of the inhabitants of al-Qods, and support their steadfastness, the King stated further.

He also commended all national Palestinian reconciliation initiatives that serve the Palestinians’ lofty goal of establishing their independent state and expressed full support to the Palestinian National Authority, under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas, as it seeks to fulfil the aspirations of the Palestinians to gain freedom and independence, and achieve security, unity and prosperity.

The King, who commended the sincere and continuous efforts of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, reiterated full support for its praiseworthy action in backing the legitimate, inalienable rights of Palestinians, as well as for its action to contribute to international efforts to achieve peace, stability, coexistence and prosperity for all peoples in the region.