Speaker calls on international parliamentary community to protect Jerusalem

Representatives Council Speaker Ahmed bin Ibrahim Al Malla stressed that the US administration’s declaration of Jerusalem as capital of Israel is an unprecedented development in the region and its future, describing the decision as a mistake threatening the peace process in the Middle East and hampering all initiatives and negotiations to reach the aspired final solution. He also added that the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is a clear breach of international resolutions which affirm the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and the need to end occupation of East Jerusalem.

The Representatives Council Speaker made the remarks in a speech delivered during his participation in the summit of the Arab Representatives Councils Speakers, during the extraordinary session of the Arab Parliamentary Union which convened in Rabat, Morocco, today.

Al Malla conveyed the greetings of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, reiterating Bahrain’s unwavering stance in supporting the aspirations of the Palestinian people and their legitimate right to establish their independent state on the borders of June 4, 1967 with its capital Jerusalem. He pointed out that all Arab peoples are waiting for an effective and influential role from the Arab parliaments for Jerusalem and Palestine in order to ensure prevalence of just peace for future generations. He added that Jerusalem is the cause of every honourable and principled person, the most just human issue in the contemporary world and the key to just peace and stability in the region.

The Representatives Council Speaker noted that the unprecedented practices of the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people, Jerusalem, Al Aqsa Mosque and the holy sites are a blatant offence, a terrible crime, a flagrant aggression and an escalating step for more offensive practices. He warned of the repercussions of the US decision in Palestine and among the Arab and Islamic peoples. He noted that what happened is a provocation of the sentiments of the Arabs, Muslims and Christians and will contribute to a surge in violence and anarchy.

Al Malla called for an Arab parliamentary role, in cooperation with friendly parliaments in the world to reject the US decision and warn of its repercussions, urging more decisive steps to be taken against Israel and the US decision. He commended the pioneering role of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in backing the rights of the Palestinian people and protecting Jerusalem and Al Aqsa Mosque. He also expressed gratitude to Moroccan monarch King Mohammed VI, the Head of Jerusalem Committee, for his outstanding role regarding Jerusalem and the current developments. He also thanked all brotherly countries, including mainly Jordan, for their unflinching support to the Palestinian people.

Source: BNA