HM King Mohammed VI Addresses Message to UN Committee on Exercise of Inalienable Rights…

Here follows the full text of the Royal Message:

"Praise be to God,

May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet, His Kith and Kin

Your Excellency Cheikh Niang, Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, it gives me pleasure to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to you and to the Committee members for the untiring efforts you have been making to defend the cause of the Palestinian people and their just, legitimate, inalienable rights.

I should like to take this opportunity to reiterate the Kingdom of Morocco's firm position on the just cause of the Palestinian people. The settlement of the conflict is crucial for peace, security and stability in the Middle East region, and it should be based on the internationally agreed two-state solution, under which the Gaza Strip would be an integral part of the independent Palestinian territories.

The Kingdom of Morocco reaffirms its full solidarity and unconditional support for the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent State, based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The tragic situation in the Palestinian territories, especially in the Gaza Strip, and the related regional and international challenges call out to the conscience of the world and require decisive action for the achievement of an immediate, comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire. They also require greater joint action to support and protect human rights in the Palestinian territories, implement relevant UN resolutions and ensure full compliance with international law and international humanitarian law.

In view of the serious, unprecedented developments in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, the Kingdom of Morocco expresses its deep concern over the tragic conditions resulting from the continued Israeli invasion, which has so far claimed the lives of tens of thousands of innocent, defenceless civilians. Millions of Palestinians have been deprived of their basic rights to housing, food, health, clean water, education and security; they have been forcibly displaced or made to migrate due to massive, wide-ranging destruction of infrastructure in the region.

In light of these difficult and unacceptable circumstances from a human, legal and moral standpoint, and consistent with its usual policy in various regional and international forums, the Kingdom of Morocco reiterates the following:

- First : the need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and for an end be put to the repeated attacks on the defenceless inhabitants of the West Bank and al-Qods;

- Second : the need to make sure that civilians are protected, that they are not targeted and that there is no further bloodshed in the entire Palestinian territories;

- Third : the need to open all crossings immediately, permanently and unconditionally, without any restrictions, so as to ensure the unhindered flow, in sufficient quantities, of humanitarian and relief aid as well as medical supplies to meet the basic needs of the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip and the other Palestinian territories;

- Fourth : the need to preserve, strengthen and support the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA);

- Fifth : the need to reject any displacement of Palestinian citizens and ensure full compliance with international law and international humanitarian law;

- Sixth : the need to start serious, meaningful negotiations to revive the peace process, in accordance with United Nations resolutions and international legitimacy.

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The past few years have seen an important qualitative leap in the work of this esteemed Committee as it continues to carry out its mission regarding the Palestinian cause and the defence of the rights of the Palestinian people through the implementation of the annual programs and projects planned for this purpose.

The commemoration of International Solidarity Day against the backdrop of the confrontations that have unfortunately plagued the region for more than a year now, and the continuing Israeli military invasion of the Gaza Strip require the international community to take urgent, immediate action to stop the war, compel Israel to lift the siege imposed on the Strip, and allow the return of displaced people as a prelude to starting the reconstruction of what was destroyed by the war.

Given the impasse in the Middle East peace process and the difficult conditions currently prevailing in the region, I call once again on the international community, especially the influential countries which can have an impact on the conflict, to undertake fresh, intensive and effective diplomatic efforts with a view to bringing back the parties concerned to the negotiating table. The aim is to achieve a just, comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue and build a common future for upcoming Palestinian and Israeli generations, within the framework of the two-state solution.

The Kingdom of Morocco supports all constructive initiatives aimed at finding practical solutions to achieve a permanent and effective ceasefire, and address the humanitarian situation. My country will keep up its unstinting, customary efforts and use its influence as well as its special relationship with the parties concerned and with the influential international powers to bring about conditions conducive to a return to the negotiating table. That is the only way to put a final end to the conflict and achieve security and stability in the Middle East region.

I wish to seize the opportunity of this Committee meeting to commend and encourage all national Palestinian reconciliation initiatives that serve our Palestinians brothers' lofty goal of establishing their independent state. In this regard, I would like to express my full support to the Palestinian National Authority, under the leadership of my brother, His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas, as it seeks to fulfil the aspirations of our Palestinian brothers and sisters to gain freedom and independence, and achieve security, unity and prosperity.

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Israeli unilateral measures and repeated provocations in the city of al-Qods are undermining all efforts to achieve a return to calm and ruining all international initiatives designed to stop the violence and put an end to tension in the region.

As Chairman of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's al-Quds Committee, I have personally seen to it that all possible efforts are made, and all ways and means available leveraged to preserve the legal, historical and demographic status of al-Qods as the city that brings together the followers of the three monotheistic religions.

In this regard, the Kingdom of Morocco will keep up its untiring efforts to defend the holy city, politically and diplomatically.

As the executive, action-oriented organ of the al-Quds Committee, the Bayt Mal al-Qods Agency will continue to implement tangible programs and projects essentially designed to preserve the cultural identity of the holy city, improve the social and living conditions of the inhabitants of al-Qods, and support their steadfastness.

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Considering the humanitarian calamity befalling our brothers and sisters in the Gaza Strip, I have, on three occasions, ordered the dispatching of urgent medical and humanitarian aid to the Strip. That special aid, which also included equipment for treating burns, surgical and emergency supplies as well as basic medicines, was delivered using an unprecedented crossing. As we all know, the medical sector in Gaza is in a state of near collapse due to the scarcity of medical supplies and medicines.

The efforts and initiatives undertaken by the Kingdom of Morocco to support the cause of Palestinians attest to a continuous, genuine commitment backed by tangible measures on the ground that are appreciated and praised by the Palestinian people and their leadership.

I commend the Committee's sincere, continuous efforts and wish to reiterate our full support for its praiseworthy action in backing the legitimate, inalienable rights of Palestinians, as well as for its action to contribute to international efforts to achieve peace, stability, coexistence and prosperity for all peoples in the region.

I wish you every success.

Wassalamu alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh."