Your Excellency Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani,

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain,

Your Highnesses, Excellencies, Ministers,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Firstly, I extend my sincere gratitude to His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for his nation's leadership during the 32nd ordinary Arab summit. His personal dedication, including shuttle diplomacy and chairing the Arab-Islamic Committee to Stop the Aggression against Gaza, has been commendable.

I also offer my congratulations to Your Excellency, the President, on the Kingdom of Bahrain's assumption of the presidency for the 33rd summit. I wish you and your nation every success during this critical period. Furthermore, I commend the Kingdom of Bahrain for its meticulous preparation, warm reception, and gracious hospitality extended to all of us since our arrival.

In addition , I extend my heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency the Foreign Ministers of Palestine, Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen on their new appointments and their participation in the current session of the Council.

Mr. President,

Words cannot fully convey the anger and sadness that we all feel. The desire for justice and retribution against the leaders of the Israeli occupation has overwhelmed us, as they have forsaken the most basic principles of humanity. Their actions constitute clear violations of international humanitarian law, which the world has witnessed over months of accumulated atrocities. Let us call it what it is: ethnic cleansing.

This crime is not merely murder; it is the systematic destruction of an entire society, tearing apart its social fabric and annihilating its institutions. The land has become uninhabitable, and people are left with no choice but to flee, seeking refuge in vain. Today, over a million Palestinians are crowded into Rafah, forced to move repeatedly within the Gaza Strip by occupation-issued evacuation orders. Many have been displaced multiple times, left exposed to the elements without shelter or the necessities of life, pursued by the occupation's bullets and bombs even in areas where aid is distributed. It seems the occupation's ultimate goal is the eradication of the people of Gaza, under the guise of achieving victory—a demand as abhorrent as its means.

This aggression is not just a blemish on the face of the occupation, which lacks even a semblance of shame. Its representatives shamelessly tore up the charter of the international system just days ago. It's a stain on the world's conscience for tolerating such crimes. This time, as in many instances before, it may persist for months before some nations call for an immediate ceasefire. Israel's blatant disregard for international law and humanitarian principles affects not only Palestinians but also the global system and its foundational rules.

Every effort, whether Arab or international, to halt this aggression is imperative. Arab initiatives, since the joint Arab-Islamic summit convened in Riyadh on 23 November, have been earnest and ongoing, aiming to solidify international support for the rights of the Palestinian people. These efforts have also aimed to expose the occupation and its atrocities, especially after Israel's failed attempt to exploit events on 7 October and garner international sympathy to justify its collective punishment against the Palestinians. The overwhelming international vote in the General Assembly for Palestine to become a full member of the United Nations is a clear testament to the global stance on the events ongoing in Palestine for months.

Mr. President,

The world has long understood that regional stability remains fragile and prone to eruption as long as the Palestinian cause remains unresolved. Ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state are crucial steps towards achieving the long-awaited regional stability.

While we are all pained by the disgraceful crimes of the occupation, there is also a sense of satisfaction in witnessing an unprecedented global awakening and understanding among a new generation spanning from Sweden to the United States. They perceive the reality of the situation and recognise, with common sense, that the events unfolding in Palestine constitute a crime. This realisation extends beyond the events of 7 October. How else can we explain the settlers' violent actions and bullying in the West Bank? How do we justify Israel's crimes recently exposed in its prisons? How do we account for the atrocities committed by the occupation both before and after 7 October, including mass graves and torture in prisons? The occupation itself is the real crime.

Young people worldwide have come to this realisation and are actively seeking to expose and raise awareness about it. Their demand is simple and clear: Stop this unjust war immediately. Save the people from starvation. Refuse to provide cover for criminal acts that further the occupation's destructive agenda in Gaza. It is inconceivable that one individual's efforts to safeguard their political future should jeopardise the fate of millions in the region.

Over the past months, the Arab effort, whether through the ministerial committee dedicated to the Palestinian cause or other avenues, has progressed on two fronts. Firstly, there's an urgent focus on halting the war, providing relief to the people of Gaza, and supporting their resilience against the displacement plan, which is rejected both regionally and internationally. Secondly, there's a concerted effort to advance the vision of the two states, laying the groundwork for the establishment of a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

We aim to garner support for the recognition of Palestine, not merely as a symbolic gesture, but as part of a tangible path towards an international conference. This conference would involve all parties committed to the two-state solution, with the goal of bolstering its prospects for success. Both the Palestinian and Israeli sides cannot achieve this alone; it necessitates robust and sustained international involvement. The most vulnerable party in this equation is the people living under occupation, who risk facing atrocities beyond comprehension without international protection. Hence, various forms of international intervention have become imperative.

Returning to bilateral negotiations is no longer a viable option when one party outright rejects it and the framework upon which it's based—namely, ending the occupation and establishing a Palestinian state. How can negotiations proceed when one party refuses to engage and rejects the fundamental principles underpinning the process?

Mr. President,

While the tragedy in Gaza rightfully captures our attention and emotions, this Council's agenda is also brimming with other pressing Arab issues that demand immediate attention due to their significance to Arab national security or the alarming deterioration they're experiencing. Among these, the dire situation in Sudan stands out and warrants our full focus.

The war that has engulfed Sudan for over a year now threatens to fracture the unity of this vital Arab nation. The humanitarian toll of the conflict has surpassed all bounds, with over 10 million displaced individuals, over a million of whom have fled the country. Additionally, 25 million people are grappling with severe food insecurity, with the spectre of famine looming ominously. Moreover, there are genuine concerns about escalating casualties in Darfur and other active conflict zones.

This war must come to an end. Arab efforts have been exerted on multiple fronts, including the Jeddah talks, to broker a ceasefire and achieve a settlement that safeguards the country's unity and institutions. However, these efforts have yet to yield tangible results. We appeal to all stakeholders to recognise the grave risks and severe consequences of prolonging the conflict. It is imperative that they commit to a sincere path towards a ceasefire. There are still viable solutions within reach if there is genuine intent. The people of Sudan deserve to see an end to their suffering and hear assurances of a brighter future.

Mr. President,

The situations in Libya, Yemen, and Syria, which are under consideration at this summit, are largely stagnant. However, this stagnation is far from being a solution; instead, it creates conditions prone to regression, fails to alleviate the suffering of the people, and does not contribute to the desired regional stability. These Arab crises demand sustained efforts from the Arab system because we cannot tolerate them becoming forgotten crises, even temporarily.

Mr. President,

The magnitude of these challenges underscores the necessity of collective action. The prevailing international polarisation underscores the urgency of enhanced Arab coordination. Our unified voice carries weight and significance, garnering attention from others. I am confident that this summit will meet the expectations of the Arab citizen in terms of its message and outcomes.

Thank you all,

May God's peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you.