Moroccan King calls for Palestinian debate to be ‘protected’
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI called on Tuesday for the Palestinian cause to be shielded from useless outbidding tactics and narrow calculations which do not serve it in any way.
In a message to Sheikh Niang of Senegal, chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, the king noted that the “efforts and initiatives undertaken by the kingdom of Morocco in support of the Palestinian cause attest to a sincere, continuous commitment, which is accompanied by concrete measures on the ground. This action is highly appreciated and praised by the leadership and people of Palestine.”
“This is also a good opportunity to call on all Palestinian stakeholders to work as one team in order to build strong Palestinian institutions under the leadership of my brother, His Excellency Mr Mahmoud Abbas, president of the state of Palestine and thus achieve the aspirations of our Palestinian brothers and sisters for freedom, independence and a life of dignity,” he added.
The king’s message comes as part of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, which is commemorated annually on November 29.
King Mohammed reiterated Morocco’s constant and clear support for the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of Palestinians to establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
“The Arab and Muslim peoples reserve a special place in their hearts for the holy city of Al-Quds in consideration of its symbolic values,” the Moroccan monarch said, stressing that a resolution to the Palestine-Israeli conflict is the key to peace and stability in the Middle East.
“In keeping with the mission entrusted to me as chairman of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Al-Quds Committee, I call for the preservation of the legal, cultural and religious status of the Holy City as a common heritage of mankind, as a land of encounter and as a symbol of peaceful coexistence between the followers of the three monotheistic religions,” said the king.
“Under my personal supervision, the Bayt Mal al-Quds al-Sharif Agency has been implementing tangible projects in the housing, health, education and social sectors for the benefit of our brothers and sisters in al-Quds. They mainly aim to preserve the cultural identity of the Holy City, improve the social and living conditions of its inhabitants and support their steadfast struggle,” he added.
In an attempt to put the onus on the international community to address the conflict, the king noted “Although urgent international crises seem to have priority on the agenda of the international community and its institutions, peace and stability in the Middle East region will hinge on resolving the issue of Palestine, the longest-lasting dispute in the world. Security and stability in that region therefore require relentless efforts to break free from the logic of conflict and embrace, instead, peace and cooperation for the emergence of a prosperous space for all the peoples concerned.
“The current deadlock in the political process between the Palestinian and Israeli sides does not promote the peace we are yearning for in the region. Nevertheless, I encourage the positive signs and commendable initiatives undertaken to rebuild confidence and launch meaningful negotiations that help achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, and the two-State solution, which is a realistic option,” he added.
The king’s message is in line with Morocco’s position in favour of a two-state solution to end the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Earlier this month, the king sent a similar message to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Palestine’s national day on November 15.
Agencies
