RAMALLAH, Sunday, February 07, 2021 (WAFA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riyad Malki welcomed today the final statement of the 34th African Union summit, during which African leaders renewed their absolute support for the Palestinian cause.
Malki also welcomed the African leaders' support for the two-state solution on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, appreciating their rejection of the racist Israeli policies and the policy of ethnic cleansing aimed at consolidating Israel's annexation of Palestinian lands occupied in 1967, especially Jerusalem.
African leaders reaffirmed today that all Israeli settlements erected on the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem and the Syrian Golan, are illegal.
In the final statement of the two-day virtual 34th African Union Summit, African leaders stressed that Israel's settlement constitutes serious violations of international humanitarian law and relevant United Nations resolutions, and defies the calls of the international community to stop all settlement activities.
They also reiterated their full support for the Palestinian people and their representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, in their legitimate struggle against the Israeli occupation to restore their inalienable rights, including self-determination and independence.
The African leaders condemned Israel's use of lethal, unlawful and other excessive force against Palestinian civilians, including civilians who enjoy a special protection status under international law who do not pose an imminent threat to life.
The African Union Summit renewed its support for President Mahmoud Abbas' initiative for peace, which was presented to the United Nations Security Council on February 20, 2018, which calls for an international conference at the appropriate time to launch a credible multilateral political process.
African leaders also emphasized the rejection of any unfair or partial solutions, including the so-called "Deal of the Century", stressing that they will work tirelessly with other international actors to ensure the independence of the State of Palestine within the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
A.D./T.R.
