Midrand: The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) on Monday reiterated the urgent need to end the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. During the opening ceremony of its Permanent Committees Sitting at its headquarters in Midrand, the PAP, which serves as the legislative body of the African Union, renewed its support for a two-state solution as the sole viable resolution to the conflict. This solution aims to establish an independent, sovereign, viable, and geographically contiguous Palestinian state based on the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, thus aligning with international law.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the PAP strongly rejected all breaches of international and humanitarian law, condemning any attempts to forcibly displace or transfer Palestinians, whether from the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The PAP emphasized the urgent necessity for intensified international efforts to alleviate the historical suffering and injustices experienced by the Palestinian people and to secure their inalienable rights under international law.
The legislative body expressed concern about the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip due to Israeli aggression, urging for comprehensive international efforts to fully and immediately implement the ceasefire agreement. Furthermore, the PAP called for the commencement of a new phase focused on early recovery and reconstruction, ensuring that Palestinians remain on their land.
Ambassador of Palestine Hannah Jarrar addressed the assembly of African parliamentarians, diplomats, and African Union officials, reaffirming the Palestinian people's right to self-determination. She stressed that Palestine's future will be determined solely by its own people and leadership, rejecting any external interference.
Ambassador Jarrar highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, pointing out severe restrictions imposed by Israeli occupation forces. She noted that the importation of fuel, medical supplies, and basic necessities is still blocked, exacerbating the suffering of the Palestinian population.
Despite a ceasefire, Jarrar claimed that Israeli occupation forces have intensified their attacks, resulting in the deaths of over 100 Palestinian civilians in recent weeks and the displacement of more than 40,000 individuals from refugee camps in the West Bank. She accused Israel of deliberately destroying refugee camps, asserting that this tactic aims to erase the political and geographical identity of Palestinian communities.
Jarrar condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump's previous calls for the displacement of Palestinians and attempts to terminate the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). She criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for suggesting that a Palestinian state be established on Saudi Arabian land, deeming it an insult to Palestinian sovereignty.
The ambassador praised African nations for their unwavering support for Palestine, especially during the recent African Union Summit, where leaders condemned Israeli aggression. She called for increased legal action, urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to hold Israel accountable for what she described as crimes against humanity.
Jarrar expressed gratitude to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for his supportive speech during the Parliament's opening session. She urged international bodies, including the United Nations and the African Parliament, to support Palestine's struggle through legal and diplomatic means, calling for an end to normalization with Israel until it ceases its occupation.
In conclusion, Jarrar emphasized that the Palestinian cause is not just a Palestinian issue but a human rights issue, urging the world to stand firmly on the side of justice. She declared that Palestine is not a bargaining chip but a homeland that will never be relinquished.
