Mahmoud Abbas: International organizations must realize their positions in opposition to Israel

The head of the Palestinian Autonomy expressed the hope that international organizations would translate into action their verbal positions in opposition to the Zionist regime.

Mahmoud Abbas said: “We will oppose in all seriousness the offensive antics of the new extremist Israeli cabinet and extremist settler groups, whether it be their desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islamic and Christian shrines, or the adoption of racist laws.” He stressed that the program of the new, extremist cabinet of the Zionist regime is contrary to international law and agreements.

Abbas noted that the Palestinian people will continue to defend the land of their ancestors, cultural heritage, Islamic and Christian shrines, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Church of the Resurrection and the Birth, and the Temple of Ibrahim (Abraham) in al-Khalil. Prior to this, Egypt and the UN warned the Zionist regime about any encroachment by Itamar Ben-Gvir on the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Ben Gvir, minister of internal security in Benjamin Netanyahu’s new cabinet, last Tuesday invaded the Al-Aqsa Mosque with the support of the Zionist military along with a number of Zionist groups. This action provoked an angry reaction from Arab and Islamic countries, including Iran, Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.

On Thursday evening, an extraordinary meeting of the UN Security Council was held at the headquarters of this international body, and all members of this council condemned the actions of the new cabinet of the Zionist regime to desecrate the Al-Aqsa Mosque. According to AAA News Agency, this meeting took place at the joint request of Palestine and Jordan and with the support of the United Arab Emirates and China, and apart from the members of the Security Council, only representatives of Jordan, Palestine and the Zionist regime made speeches.

Members of the UN Security Council called the actions of the Zionist regime to invade the Al-Aqsa Mosque provocative and disturbing and condemned this action. Mohammad Khalid Al-Khiari, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Western Asia, Asia and the Pacific, said at the start of the extraordinary meeting: “The situation in the holy places of Quds (Jerusalem) is highly volatile and any incident or tension in this place could spread and cause violence in the occupied territories of Palestine, Israel and other parts of the region.” Zhang Jun, China’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, also added, “The Israeli regime’s internal security minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s actions to infiltrate the Al-Aqsa Mosque have escalated tensions, and China is extremely concerned about these actions and calls for peace in the holy places.” such as Al-Aqsa Mosque”.

A senior Chinese diplomat continued, “Israel in particular should refrain from any action that could heighten tensions and be seen as provocative and disrespectful.” He also said that Beijing supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and condemns any action that changes the current face of Quds (Jerusalem). Russian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya also said at the meeting: “The visit of an Israeli official to the Al-Aqsa Mosque causes concern.” “Moscow reiterates its opposition to actions that change the historical status of holy places,” a senior Russian diplomat said.

The Russian Ambassador to the UN expressed the hope that the new cabinet of the Zionist regime will not follow the path of escalating tensions The UAE representative also demanded the full protection of the Al-Aqsa Mosque due to the holiness of the site and the comprehensive action of the Security Council to combat provocative actions. Ishikane Kimihiro, Japan’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, whose country is chairing the UN Security Council this month (January 2023), expressed concern about Israel’s new policy of aggressively ramping up settlements. The representative of Brazil also said at this meeting: “The actions of the Zionist regime in relation to the holy places increase instability and weaken the prospect of ‘peace’.” The Swiss ambassador and representative to the UN also called for the current situation in Quds (Jerusalem) to be maintained and said: “The tension created recently by unilateral provocations is still high.” On Tuesday morning, the new Interior Minister of the Zionist regime, Itmar Ben-Gvir, along with a group of Zionists, invaded the Al-Aqsa Mosque with the support of the regime’s military, in a provocative act.