BEIJING, Thursday, May 30, 2024 (WAFA) – A joint statement issued today at the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Beijing condemned the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people. The statement highlighted that over 125,000 citizens in Gaza, the majority of whom are women and children, have been killed or injured.
The statement denounced Israel's "policy of starving the Palestinian people and exposing them to famine, the deadly blockade cutting off all means of life in Gaza, and the systematic destruction of residential neighborhoods, hospitals, schools, universities, mosques, churches, and infrastructure in the area." It also condemned the arrest and torture of thousands of Palestinian detainees.
The Chinese and Arab sides engaged in deep discussions on the Palestinian issue, emphasizing the comprehensive and effective implementation of relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and General Assembly resolutions, including the latest UNSC Resolution 2728. They stressed the urgent need for joint efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and to work towards a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue.
The statement specifically condemned the Israeli assault on the city of Rafah, the Israeli military's bombing of refugee encampments, and the occupation of the Rafah border crossing. It rejected plans and attempts at the forced displacement of Palestinians from their homeland, warning that such actions would destroy peace prospects in the Middle East.
The statement called on the UNSC to adopt a binding resolution for an immediate, comprehensive, and permanent ceasefire, to stop the forced displacement of Palestinians, ensure the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and implement relevant resolutions to restore normal life in the region.
It also criticized the United States for using its veto power to block Palestine's bid for full membership in the United Nations. The joint statement expressed support for the provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice in the case brought by South Africa against Israel for violating the Genocide Convention.
The statement affirmed support for the Palestinian government assuming governing responsibilities in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, in accordance with recognized international frameworks, asserting that Gaza is an integral part of Palestine.
Reiterating the legitimacy of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole representative of the Palestinian people, the statement urged Palestinian factions and forces to unite under the PLO's umbrella and to fulfill their responsibilities through national partnership under the organization’s leadership.
The joint statement welcomed the UN General Assembly resolution dated May 9, 2024, which recognized Palestine's eligibility for full UN membership and recommended that the UNSC reconsider supporting Palestine's bid for full membership and granting it more rights.
The statement underscored the need to support and protect the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from being dismantled. It welcomed the resumption of contributions to the agency by some countries and called on those that had frozen their support to resume it.
The statement acknowledged the positive outcomes of the independent review of UNRWA's operations, reaffirming the agency's neutrality and professionalism as indispensable.
The statement also welcomed the recent recognition of Palestine by several countries and called on those yet to recognize Palestine to do so swiftly, citing it as a legitimate right of the Palestinian people and a step towards peace, security, and stability in the region and the world.
The joint statement condemned Israel's unilateral actions aimed at changing the status quo in Jerusalem and supported the Hashemite custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in occupied Jerusalem.
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