Palestine Praises African Summit's Stance Rejecting Displacement and Supporting UN Membership

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates expressed its profound appreciation for the positions adopted by the African Summit during its thirty-ninth session held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The Ministry affirmed in an official statement that the summit's outcomes reflect the African continent's historical commitment to supporting the just struggle of the Palestinian people to end the Israeli occupation and establish an independent state.

The African Summit, in its final communiqué, emphasized its absolute rejection of all Israeli plans aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinians from their lands, whether towards Egyptian or Jordanian territories. African leaders considered any attempt at forced displacement a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, necessitating urgent international action to stop it and protect civilians.

In a related context, the Summit reiterated its full support for the State of Palestine's efforts to obtain full membership in the United Nations, considering it a political and legal right that cannot be postponed. Sources indicated that the high-level presence of UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the Summit gave additional momentum to these demands, which aim to correct Palestine's legal status internationally.

The final statement of the African leaders warned of the serious repercussions of the ongoing Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, describing the humanitarian situation there as catastrophic and unprecedented. The Summit called on the international community to assume its responsibilities in breaking the blockade and providing urgent relief aid to the population suffering from the ravages of the ongoing aggression and the lack of basic necessities.

It is worth noting that Palestine currently holds the status of a 'non-member observer state' in the United Nations since the famous General Assembly resolution in November 2012, which enabled it to join many international organizations. These African moves complement the General Assembly's resolution in May 2024, which overwhelmingly supported Palestine's right to obtain full membership in the international organization.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry concluded that this African consensus represents a strong message to the international community about the necessity of ending the occupation and recognizing the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders. The Ministry also praised the African Union's efforts in confronting pressures aimed at changing the positions of the continent's countries towards the Palestinian issue, emphasizing the depth of historical ties between the two sides.

The positions of the African Summit reflect the steadfast historical support for our people's inalienable rights, foremost among them self-determination.