Middle East
Middle East leaders pose for a group portrait before an emergency meeting of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Riyadh on November 11, 2023. Photo: Iranian Presidency/AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Representatives of the Islamic world gathered in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh on Saturday for an emergency Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit on the situation in Gaza. In a display of unity, they condemned Israel’s actions and criticized the international community’s response to the war.
Speaking at the event, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid reiterated his country’s firm stance in support of the Palestinian people and condemned Israel’s “collective punishment” and “flagrant violations of international humanitarian laws.”
Rashid criticized the international community’s “strange and unjustified silence” in the face of reports of horrendous atrocities being committed in Gaza and called on the world to take action against the targeting of civil institutions.
The Iraqi president urged expedited delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, and stressed that incidents of loss of communication in the strip is an attempt to “isolate more than two million people, and hide the war crimes committed by the occupation from the world.”
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who made a landmark trip to Saudi Arabia as the regional rivals mend ties, said that Arab and Muslim states should designate Israel a “terrorist organization,” and “arm the Palestinian people” if Israel continues its aggression against the people of Gaza.
“Now that the international assemblies under the influence of America are suffering from indecisiveness, characterlessness, and the lack of identity, we must take the field,” said Raisi.
“The events in the Gaza Strip are a confrontation between the axis of honor and the axis of evil, and everyone must clarify which path they have fallen into,” he added.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also slammed Western countries for remaining silent about Israel’s “barbarism” in Gaza, while also stressing the need to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in the strip and fuel to places in urgent need, especially hospitals.
“It is a shame that Western countries, which always voice for human rights, and freedoms, remain silent on the massacre in Palestine,” said Erdogan, adding “we are faced with unprecedented barbarism in history, where hospitals, schools, and refugee camps are bombed and civilians are massacred.”
Relentless Israeli airstrikes have pounded the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a surprise attack by Palestinian Hamas on October 7. The strikes have left over 11,000 dead, including scores of women and children, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
The war in Gaza has sparked sympathy across the Arab world where the Palestinian cause has widespread support. Arab and Muslim leaders have been widely criticized by the public for their weak response towards the Israeli assault on the strip.
Speaking at the event, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid reiterated his country’s firm stance in support of the Palestinian people and condemned Israel’s “collective punishment” and “flagrant violations of international humanitarian laws.”
Rashid criticized the international community’s “strange and unjustified silence” in the face of reports of horrendous atrocities being committed in Gaza and called on the world to take action against the targeting of civil institutions.
The Iraqi president urged expedited delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, and stressed that incidents of loss of communication in the strip is an attempt to “isolate more than two million people, and hide the war crimes committed by the occupation from the world.”
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who made a landmark trip to Saudi Arabia as the regional rivals mend ties, said that Arab and Muslim states should designate Israel a “terrorist organization,” and “arm the Palestinian people” if Israel continues its aggression against the people of Gaza.
“Now that the international assemblies under the influence of America are suffering from indecisiveness, characterlessness, and the lack of identity, we must take the field,” said Raisi.
“The events in the Gaza Strip are a confrontation between the axis of honor and the axis of evil, and everyone must clarify which path they have fallen into,” he added.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also slammed Western countries for remaining silent about Israel’s “barbarism” in Gaza, while also stressing the need to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in the strip and fuel to places in urgent need, especially hospitals.
“It is a shame that Western countries, which always voice for human rights, and freedoms, remain silent on the massacre in Palestine,” said Erdogan, adding “we are faced with unprecedented barbarism in history, where hospitals, schools, and refugee camps are bombed and civilians are massacred.”
Relentless Israeli airstrikes have pounded the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a surprise attack by Palestinian Hamas on October 7. The strikes have left over 11,000 dead, including scores of women and children, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
The war in Gaza has sparked sympathy across the Arab world where the Palestinian cause has widespread support. Arab and Muslim leaders have been widely criticized by the public for their weak response towards the Israeli assault on the strip.
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