Morocco champions Palestinian rights at Arab League summit in Cairo

Morocco participated in an extraordinary Arab League Summit in Cairo, with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita representing King Mohammed VI. The summit convened at the request of Palestine and aimed to address recent developments concerning the Palestinian issue, particularly focusing on preventing the displacement of Palestinians and establishing a unified Arab position amidst ongoing regional challenges.

According to a statement from the Egyptian government, the summit sought to address critical issues, including efforts to rebuild Gaza, uphold the ceasefire, and pursue legal measures to safeguard Palestinian rights.

The Moroccan delegation included Mohamed Ait Ouali, Morocco’s ambassador to Egypt and permanent representative to the Arab League, and Abdelali El Jahid, who heads the Arab and Islamic Organizations Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On the sidelines of the summit, Bourita engaged in bilateral discussions with various counterparts, including Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Libyan Foreign Affairs Minister Taher Al-Baour. The Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted Bourita’s discussions with Abdelatty centered on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing key summit agenda items.

This emergency summit was initiated following coordination between Egypt, the host nation, and Bahrain, the current chair of the Arab League, after consultations with member states and the Secretariat.

Opening remarks were delivered by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, marking the summit's commencement.

Among the significant topics was the response to new proposals regarding Gaza’s future. Arab leaders scrutinized alternatives to Donald Trump’s controversial Gaza plan, which suggested American control over the Palestinian territory. This plan faced widespread rejection from Arab countries and Palestinians alike, although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed it, claiming that "the time has come to give Gaza residents the freedom to leave."

The summit called for decisive actions to protect the Palestinian people and facilitate the reconstruction of Gaza. Notably, the presidents of Algeria and Tunisia were absent, delegating their foreign ministers instead. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced his absence, citing irregularities in the summit's preparatory process and a lack of coordination among Arab nations.

The Arab League ministers held a closed preparatory meeting prior to the summit to finalize the agenda and expected outcomes. Morocco has consistently supported the Palestinian cause, advocating for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian assistance throughout the ongoing crisis.