Given the emergency nature of the mass killings in Gaza, the original grouping of the 22 members of the Arab League was expanded into a joint meeting with the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation. They met in Riyadh today and issued a joint resolution, excerpted by CNN:
“We condemn the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, the war crimes and the barbaric, brutal and inhumane massacres committed by the colonial occupation government against the Palestinian people, including in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. We demand it be stopped immediately.”
The summit rejects the characterization of this “war of revenge as (one of) self-defense” and demands the end of the siege in Gaza as well as the entry of humanitarian aid convoys, including food, medicine, and fuel immediately. Further the UN Security Council must take a “decisive and binding decision” that imposes an end to the assault. It adds: “We demand the Security Council take an immediate decision condemning Israel’s barbaric destruction of hospitals in the Gaza Strip and preventing the entry of medicine, food and fuel.”
The International Criminal Court must conduct an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Israel, and all countries must cease sending weapons and ammunition to Israel.
The summit said that a “just, lasting and comprehensive peace” is the only way to guarantee security and stability for the people of the region. “Protection from cycles of violence and wars will not be achieved without ending the Israeli occupation. ... We hold Israel, the occupying power responsible for the continuation and aggravation of the conflict as a result of its aggression against human rights.”
