The Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union Calls for an Immediate and Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon
The 37th Extraordinary Congress of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU), held in Geneva, Switzerland, condemned the ongoing Zionist aggression against Palestinian territories and the Republic of Lebanon, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
In its final statement on Monday, the AIPU denounced “the Zionist aggression against the Palestinian territories and the Republic of Lebanon” and called for “an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the lifting of the siege imposed on Gaza, the release of prisoners and detainees, and the immediate opening of all crossings without conditions or restrictions.”
The Union also urged the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid, medical equipment, and essential supplies to Gaza, in accordance with international law and humanitarian law. It called for urgent action to address the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, working towards de-escalation and strengthening security and stability in the region.
The statement further called for “an end to the Zionist occupation, support for the sovereignty of the Palestinian people over all occupied Palestinian territories, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds as its capital, in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and international legitimacy resolutions.” It also encouraged all countries to complete the recognition of the State of Palestine.
The AIPU emphasized the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2712, 2720, and 2735, which call for an immediate and total ceasefire in the Palestinian territories, the release of all detainees, the exchange of prisoners, the return of civilians to their homes, the safe and effective distribution of large-scale humanitarian aid, and the withdrawal of Zionist forces from Gaza.
The statement also called for supporting Palestine’s efforts to gain more international recognition and membership in the United Nations, and for organizing an international peace conference. It stressed the need to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, ensuring the respect and integrity of Lebanese territory within its internationally recognized borders.
The Congress praised the UN General Assembly’s Resolution ES-10/24 of September 18, 2024, which calls for ending the Zionist occupation within 12 months, in accordance with the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The AIPU called on all member parliaments of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to support the urgent draft resolution on Palestine presented by the State of Palestine with the support of the Arab group.
In light of growing international awareness of the Palestinian cause, the AIPU expressed gratitude to all countries and organizations that have supported Palestine and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to establish an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds as its capital.
