Muslim countries seek Chinese help in resolving Gaza conflict

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan announced that China will be the first destination for the Islamic Ministerial Committee’s mission to exert international pressure aimed at bringing an end to the conflict in Gaza.

Addressing reporters during the Manama Dialogue 2023, Prince Faisal revealed that ministers designated by Arab and Islamic leaders, following the recent summit in Riyadh, will embark on their journey to Beijing on Monday.

The Saudi foreign minister emphasized that following their visit to China, the committee will visit several capitals to convey a resounding message emphasizing the urgency of an immediate ceasefire and facilitating the entry of relief and humanitarian aid into Gaza.

“We must strive to swiftly resolve this crisis and put an end to the war being waged against Gaza,” stated Prince Faisal.

The extraordinary joint Arab-Islamic Summit issued a resolution tasking the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Palestine to initiate immediate international action on behalf of all member states of the OIC and the Arab League.

The goal is to formulate an international initiative to halt the war in Gaza and push for a genuine and serious political process, leading to permanent and comprehensive peace in accordance with established international references.

On the sidelines of the Manama Dialogue 2023, the Saudi Foreign Minister met with Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

During their meeting, they discussed the developments in Gaza and its surroundings. Prince Faisal reiterated Saudi Arabia’s rejection of the ongoing military escalation and violations by Israeli occupation forces against civilians.

He underscored the importance of halting the escalation and preventing the forced displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

Prince Faisal emphasized the urgency of establishing humanitarian corridors to assist children, women, and civilians in Gaza.

Additionally, he called on the international community to condemn the blatant violations of international humanitarian law committed by Israeli forces against the people in Gaza.

Furthermore, Prince Faisal met with the UK’s Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy, where they discussed the evolving military escalation in the Gaza Strip.

Both parties emphasized the importance of an immediate ceasefire and allowing humanitarian organizations to deliver urgent aid to Gaza.

The Saudi foreign minister reiterated the significance of the international community playing an active role in putting an end to the military escalation and preventing the forced displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

 

Iran: Khamenei urges Muslims to boycott Israel

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on Muslim states to cease oil and food exports to Israel, demanding an end to its bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

"The bombings on Gaza must stop immediately ... the path of oil and food exports to the Zionist regime should be stopped," Khamenei told a group of students in Tehran.

Israel has vowed to wipe out Tehran-backed Hamas, which rules Gaza, in retaliation for an October 07 attack that killed 1,400 people and saw hundreds taken hostage.

Israel has launched an unprecedented bombardment of Gaza and imposed a siege of the enclave. Palestinian authorities say more than 8,000 people have been killed.

Iran's clerical rulers have warned Israel of an escalation if it failed to end aggressions against Palestinians, with authorities indicating Tehran-backed proxies in the Middle East were ready to act.

Backing the Palestinian cause has been a political pillar of the Islamic Republic since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and a way in which its Shi'ite Muslim theocracy has fashioned Iran as a leader in the Muslim world.

Khamenei, Iran's top authority, said the United States was complicit in Israel's "recent crimes against Palestinians".

"The Islamic world should not forget that in the crucial issue of Gaza, those standing against the oppressed Palestinian nation were the United States, France and Britain," Khamenei said to chants of "Death to Israel" and "Death to America".

Israel, which Tehran refuses to recognize, has long accused Iran's clerical rulers of stoking violence by supplying arms to Hamas. Tehran says it gives moral and financial support to the group, which controls the Gaza Strip.

"One of the shameless acts of the West is accusing Palestinian fighters of terrorism," Khamenei said.