CAIRO: The Arab League has intensified its criticism of Israel ahead of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, condemning Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank while calling for stronger international pressure regarding the Palestinian issue. This comes as Arab delegations prepare for discussions at the General Assembly.
During a ministerial meeting this week, the Arab League’s Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy condemned statements made by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Defense Minister Israel Katz, which called for the displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Fahmy stated that such remarks undermine international efforts to promote peace and alleviate the suffering of Palestinians.
Documenting Violations
Fahmy accused Israel of continuing unilateral and escalatory policies that exacerbate conditions in the region. He announced that the Arab League would begin establishing a unified coordination mechanism to document what it describes as Israeli violations of international law. This initiative aims to standardize monitoring methods and produce regular reports for political, media, and legal efforts.
Ambassador Salah Halima, a former Egyptian assistant foreign minister, emphasized that Fahmy’s remarks outline how Arab delegations are likely to approach the Palestinian issue at the General Assembly. He criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank, asserting that meaningful sanctions would require coordinated measures by blocs such as the EU.
UN Warnings and Humanitarian Crisis
The calls for increased pressure coincide with warnings from UN officials regarding the deteriorating situation in Gaza and the West Bank. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk reported that over 1,300 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza since a ceasefire was announced nearly a year ago. He also highlighted that Israel’s annexation efforts in the West Bank continue unabated, despite a clear ruling from the International Court of Justice.
Turk urged countries to halt arms transfers to Israel where there is a risk of violations of international law and called on companies to cease business practices that support illegal settlements. The humanitarian situation is worsening, with the UN World Food Programme announcing that funding shortages will force it to halve the number of people receiving food assistance in the West Bank, where around 900,000 people are food insecure.
Political Pressure and Future Actions
Former Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed El-Orabi noted a significant gap between UN recommendations and concrete actions regarding Palestine. He stated that greater political pressure would likely need to come from major international actors, particularly through economic measures. Ambassador Rakha Ahmed Hassan echoed this sentiment, criticizing Israel for disregarding the UN Charter and its impact on humanitarian assistance for Palestinian refugees.
As Arab officials head into this year’s General Assembly, their challenge will be to translate longstanding diplomatic positions into practical international pressure. The Arab League’s new documentation mechanism aims to strengthen the political and legal case presented by Arab states, but the decisive question remains whether major international powers are prepared to move beyond statements and resolutions toward tangible measures. For further details, visit Arab News.
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