Morocco’s King deplores tragedy in West Bank and Gaza Strip, calls for reviving truce agreement & declaring final ceasefire

King Mohammed VI has deplored the tragic situation in the Palestinian territories, where dozens of defenseless Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are killed on a daily basis, in a challenge to the international community and to global public opinion, and called for the immediate cessation of military operations and a return to the negotiating table.

In an address to the 34th Arab League Summit that opened proceeding in Baghdad this Saturday, the King pointed out that the Palestinians are the victims of gross violations of international law, international humanitarian law, and all human rights principles and that following the collapse of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, the situation in the region is alarming, requiring the revival of the truce agreement as a prelude to declaring a final ceasefire.

The King who called for an immediate cessation of military operations and a return to the negotiating table, stressed the urgent need for an intervention to put an end to the Israeli military aggressions in the West Bank, especially the demolition of houses and the forced displacement of unarmed Palestinians from the areas under Israeli control; to ensure the continued provision of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, particularly medical and food supplies; and make sure the provision of aid is not hindered for any reason.

In the same vein, the Monarch underlined the need to maintain the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and to support the Agency so that it may carry out the tasks assigned to it by the international community for the benefit of the civilian population; and the drawing of a comprehensive roadmap for the implementation of the reconstruction plan approved by the recent extraordinary Arab Summit in Cairo, without the displacement of residents. The reconstruction plan needs to be managed by the Palestinian Authority under Arab and international supervision, the Monarch insisted.

The Monarch who recalled the immutable principles underpinning Morocco’s foreign policy and historical responsibility towards the Palestinian cause, underlined the need to open up prospects for a political solution in order to bring about a genuine and just peace to the region, which guarantees the Palestinian people the achievement of their legitimate rights and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State on the June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital and the Gaza Strip as an integral part of this state.

In his address, the Monarch also urged to grant adequate support to the Palestinian Authority, under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas, and to consolidate its institutions to meet the aspirations of the Palestinian people for security, peace, progress, and prosperity;

The King likewise stressed the need for Palestinian national reconciliation, which remains the fundamental gateway to strengthening the Palestinian position in any future peace process.

In keeping with the responsibility entrusted to him as Chairman of the al-Quds Committee, the King vowed to continue defending the holy sites, especially al-Quds al-Sharif, by building on the combined effect of political and diplomatic action, on the one hand, and the field work carried out by Bayt Mal al-Quds Agency, on the other.

“We shall continue to implement tangible programs and projects aimed at preserving the cultural and spiritual identity of the Holy City, improve the social and living conditions of the inhabitants of al-Quds, and support their steadfastness and continued presence in al-Quds,” King Mohammed VI pointed out in the address that was read out on his behalf by Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita.