MP questions Bourita over Morocco’s alleged rejection of anti-Israel measures

Monday 11 December 2023 - 16:08

 PJD parliamentarian Abdellah Bouanou has addressed a written question to Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita, enquiring about Morocco’s alleged rejection of anti-Israel measures at an emergency meeting of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). 

The written question addressed the claims made by Israeli media, asserting that Morocco rejected the inclusion of severe measures against Israeli aggression on Gaza during the Arab-Islamic Summit held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

Other than Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, Mauritania, and Djibouti also voted against the inclusion of any anti-Israel provisions in the final declaration. 

The Israeli media outlet alleged that the mentioned Arab countries refused to incorporate summit outcomes, which included proposals such as preventing the use of American military bases in Arab countries to supply Israel with equipment and freezing diplomatic and economic relations with Israel. 

The clauses also included threatening to use oil as leverage, as in the 1972 oil embargo, restricting Israeli civil aviation in Arab airspace, and forming a joint mission to put pressure on Western countries for a ceasefire.

In light of these allegations, Bouano sought clarification from the Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding the truth behind these claims and inquired about the measures the Moroccan government intends to take in response.

The Times of Israel reported that during a meeting held on Saturday in the Saudi capital, Arab leaders, along with Iran’s president, strongly condemned Israel’s actions and its aggressions on Gaza. 

The Arab leaders accused Israel of committing crimes and terrorism against the Palestinian people. Yet the summit’s outcome revealed regional divisions on how to respond to the war, with concerns growing that it could escalate and involve other countries.

In this vein, countries like Algeria and Lebanon proposed severing the economic and diplomatic connections that some Arab League countries maintain with Israel.

The final declaration issued on Saturday rejected Israel’s claims of acting in self-defense and called for the United Nations Security Council to adopt a decisive and binding resolution to stop Israel’s aggression.

The declaration also urged an end to weapons sales to Israel and categorically dismissed any potential political resolution that would keep Gaza separate from the West Bank. 

However, the other draconian measures were reportedly vetoed by Morocco and other Arab countries. 

It’s worth noting that, intended initially to convene separately, the Arab League and the OIC, a 57-member bloc incorporating Iran, eventually combined their meetings.

The merging of the sessions occurred due to the inability of Arab League delegations to come to a consensus on a conclusive statement.

Arab league Gaza war Israel

Suivez les dernières actualités de Hespress sur WhatsApp

Newsletter

Subscribe now to the newsletter, to receive the latest news daily

magnifier linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram