Rabat - HM King Mohammed VI, chairman of Al-Quds Committee, has called for pressure to be exerted on Israel to get it to halt its oppressive practices against the Palestinians.
"I call on the international community, especially the International Quartet and the European Union to exert pressure on Israel to make it cease its oppressive practices directed against the helpless Palestinian people, and to compel it to return forthwith to the negotiating table, comply with UN resolutions, respect the agreements signed between the parties concerned and seek earnestly to find a just, final and lasting solution to this conflict," HM the King said in a message to participants in the Al-Quds International Forum, which kicked off Wednesday in Rabat
The sovereign also urged "all well-intentioned people to act urgently in order to set up a world alliance of peace-loving parties and of people who believe in the ideals of tolerance and coexistence, in order to save the City of Peace, the cradle of the heavenly religions."
"In accordance with the sacred mission entrusted to me as Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, I have approached the leaders of the world powers, His Holiness the Pope and the relevant international agencies on several occasions, asking them to help preserve the special character of Al-Quds, in keeping with the resolutions of the UN General Assembly and Security Council, and the obligations agreed to by the parties concerned," the monarch added.
In the same vein, the monarch recalled his Majesty’s urgings, whenever necessary, upon the international community to take decisive action to stop the gross violations perpetrated and the suspicious excavations carried out in several parts of the al-Haram al-sharif, as well as his Majesty’s strong condemnation of the provocative desecration of Islamic holy places, like the recent storming of the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, particularly Bab al-Maghariba.
The sovereign also recalled that he has “condemned all Israeli acts of aggression, settlement policies and expansionist schemes because they seriously undermine the demographic balance and architectural character of the usurped city of Al-Quds,” as well as Israel’s policies of demolition, annexation, land expropriation, property confiscation, deportation, segregation and denial of the right of access to places of worship, which are in blatant violation of divine prescriptions and international covenants.
HM King Mohammed VI insisted that by the grace of the Almighty and with the help of sincere, well-intentioned parties, he will firmly ensure that Morocco will maintain its full support for - and solidarity with - the inhabitants of Al-Quds, and also to continue implementing the Bait Mal Al-Quds al-Sharif Agency’s program of action in the holy city.
He called upon UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee to shoulder the responsibility of protecting and preserving the religious and historical characteristics of Al-Quds as well as its monuments.
“I warn Israel against the risks of using its cultural and spiritual heritage to fan the flames of animosity and extremism, or undermine the values of tolerance and affection between the followers of the revealed religions. These are the values that were upheld in Al-Quds for centuries, under Islamic rule,” the monarch said.
He also voiced firm will to pursue “contacts with all our friends and partners to overcome the deep frustration caused by the stalled peace process as a result of the barriers set by Israel to thwart the launching of meaningful negotiations that really pave the way for a comprehensive and lasting solution.”
“Final status issues, especially that of Al-Quds, should be a central, decisive element in that solution. Any partial settlement of a limited, procedural nature is unacceptable,” he continued.
The sovereign reiterated support for President Mahmud Abbas and for the legitimate Palestinian National Authority, and insisted that it is only through national unity and sovereign Palestinian decision-making that the Palestinians will have the negotiating clout required to achieve their rights.
Source :
