Speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly Marzouq Al-Ghanim

Al-Ghanim: Unified Arab stance "needed" against US Jerusalem decision

14/12/2017

RABAT-- Speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly Marzouq Al-Ghanim said Thursday that a unified Arab stance on the regional and international level was needed against the recent US move on Jerusalem.

In his speech to the heads of Arab parliaments meeting held in Morocco, Al-Ghanim said that Arabs must unite against injustice and not isolate themselves from what is occurring in the international scene; otherwise, the enemy (Israel) will continue the aggression against the Palestinian people.

Arab parliaments must address a unified statement to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) denouncing the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and stand against attempts to move the American embassy to the holy city.

The IPU in addition to regional and global organizations should also come out with clear statements that the US should not be violating the rights of the Palestinians through this so-called decision, he said.

While calling for efforts to pressure Washington to back down from its decision, Al-Ghanim urged Arab nations to forget about their differences and focus on the central issue of all Arabs, which is requires supporting the Palestinian cause and people.

The US decision to shift its embassy to the holy city is a unilateral step not supported by the international community and it will hinder any chances for peace in the future, said the top Kuwaiti lawmaker who stressed it was important to coordinate with regional and international parliaments on this grave matter.

He called for devising plans to support the Palestinian efforts at the parliamentary level internationally in order to convey the magnitude of this unjust step.

The gathering at the Moroccan parliament began earlier today to focus on the repercussions of the US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and embarking on steps to move the American embassy to the city.

The summit is expected to issue a final statement on the potential moves by the Arab parliaments to face the implications of the US decision and the ensued challenges for the Palestinian cause.

Al-Ghanim arrived in Rabat Wednesday, accompanied by MPs Rakan Al-Nesf, Khalil Abul, Omar Al-Tabtabie and Al-Humaidi Al-Subaie.