Arab League: Foreign protection of Israel led to its confidence

During the 162nd session of the Arab League Ministerial Council, Secretary-General Aboul Gheit strongly criticized Israel’s aggression and forced displacement of the Palestinian people.

As the one-year mark of the Gaza aggression approaches, the Secretary-General said months of political protection by global leaders has led to Israel’s confidence in its continued actions.

“By the time they realized the scale of the crime and called for a ceasefire, it was too late…the aggressor had become confident in its lack of accountability…and that it is above the law…and above questioning,” Aboul Gheit said.

The leader went to say Israel is conducting a genocide and displacing the Palestinian people under the guise of national security.

He said the League’s member states will continue to confront, with one voice, Israel’s plans, using words and actions.

The most recent Ministerial session saw the participation of Turkey’s foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, for the first time in 13 years.  The country had halted its attendance after rifts with Egypt, Syria, Iraq, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

The invitation by the Arab League signals an end to the diplomatic fissures with Turkey and the start of renewed cooperation.

Turkey has been amending ties with the region over the last year. In an attempt to improve relations, Fidan met with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit during a visit to Cairo in October 2023. Egyptian President el-Sisi also visited Turkey for the first time last week. Turkey has begun the process of improving relations with Syria’s al-Assad despite continued Turkish military activity in northern Syria.

During the 33rd Arab League Summit held in Bahrain on May 16, “The Arab Ministerial Committee on Turkish Interference in the Internal Affairs of Arab Countries" was dissolved.