Post: High-Level Panel Discussion on Jerusalem Concludes in Rabat with Emphasis on Unified Arab Media Narrative

Rabat: The Bayt Mal Al-Quds Al-Sharif Agency concluded a high-level panel discussion in Rabat, themed 'Jerusalem: A Global Narrative for Peace,' as part of the 'Rabat, Capital of Arab Media 2026' activities, issuing a final statement. According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the event, held on June 22 and 23, 2026, was organized with the cooperation of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication - Communication Sector. It marked Rabat's designation as the Arab Media Capital for 2026, following a resolution by the Council of Arab Information Ministers in November 2025, which highlighted special activities dedicated to Jerusalem. The discussion underscored Morocco's role, under King Mohammed VI's leadership, in fostering dialogue on humanitarian and civilizational issues, notably concerning Jerusalem and Palestine. Attendees included ministers from Morocco and Palestine, representatives from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the League of Arab States, various news agencies, and journalists' unions from Morocco and Palestine. The final statement praised the initiative by the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Al-Sharif Agency and commended King Mohammed VI's efforts in defending Jerusalem and supporting its residents. It also acknowledged King Abdullah II of Jordan's role in protecting Jerusalem's holy sites, along with the Palestinian people's sacrifices under President Mahmoud Abbas's leadership. The statement emphasized that Arab media should advocate for the Palestinians' right to establish a state on the June 4, 1967 borders, including East Jerusalem as the capital, through a narrative understood by Western audiences. It called for leveraging Jerusalem's spiritual and civilizational significance in media advocacy and unifying Arab media discourse around a knowledge-based reference rooted in Jerusalem's centrality. The statement urged for resources to produce media content that conveys the Palestinians' resilience and called for improving Arab m edia content abroad, ensuring its compatibility with international digital platforms like Google and Netflix to counter opposing narratives. Further, it proposed the creation of a unified Arab media platform to serve as a reliable reference for media coverage related to the Palestinian cause and suggested organizing joint training programs to enhance journalists' ability to produce multilingual content on the issue. Participants expressed gratitude to Morocco for hosting the event and agreed to continue coordination to implement the recommendations. The General Supervisor of Official Palestinian Media, Minister Ahmad Assaf, endorsed the initiative to establish a 'Charter on the Media Status and the Narrative on Jerusalem and Palestine,' proposing its adoption at future Arab Information Ministers meetings. Minister Assaf highlighted the narrative's importance, noting its impact on public opinion, and recalled the shift in global perception following Palestinian media efforts post-October 2023 conflicts. He condemned the targeting of journalists by Israel, highlighting the heavy toll on Palestinian media personnel. In conclusion, Minister Assaf reaffirmed the importance of partnerships with regional media organizations and emphasized the need for coordination with Jordan to support the proposed charter. He expressed hope that the initiative would resonate with the people of Jerusalem and Palestine, reinforcing solidarity efforts by the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Al-Sharif Agency.