Morocco’s King Mohammed VI is demanding an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has lasted for many decades, saying it is time to reach an amicable solution.
“This conflict has lasted for far too long, causing a great deal of sorrow and pain. It has caused, and still causing too many innocent victims and has ruined many opportunities not only for development but also for a free and safe life for many generations,” he said.
Apart from that, he expressed worry that the conflict has also “created deeper rifts and divisions within the international community.”
Addressing the fifth International Al-Quds conference in Rabat, Morocco as part of a series of activities triggered by the United States’ recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, King Mohammed, who is the Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, said the conflict should be prevented from getting more complicated.
The Al-Quds Committee (Jerusalem Committee), which is an offshoot of the Organization of the Islamic Conference dating back to 1975, consists of Muslim-majority countries from the Arab world, sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, and the Far East that support Muslim claims to Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital, and the upkeep of its Islamic holy places.
King Mohammed believes there is a good opportunity for the conflict to be resolved, adding the all the stakeholders need to come together and reason, and make the needed concessions for peace to prevail.
“This is conflict that can be resolved if the delusions and nostalgia for the past are abandoned, and provided a sense of realism and confidence n the future to prevail,” he said.
He said what is required, therefore, is a rational approach to history through the unleashing of a constructive dynamic framework that charts the way forward towards a better future
He cautioned the parties that “what is even more serious is that the longer the conflict is allowed to go unresolved, the more difficult and complicated a settlement will become, and the greater and more disastrous the impact will be on the region and the world.”
He noted that Al-Quds needs a realistic, equitable political settlement leading to the determination of the final status through direct negotiations between the parties concerned based on the existing international frame of reference.
According to him, the issue of Al-Quds does not concern a specific faith, people or country. “It is a question that concerns two peoples and States. Its settlement requires political will, concerted efforts and the involvement of international sponsors, relying on their experience, clout and neutrality.”
The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is the ongoing struggle over Jerusalem between Israelis and Palestinians that began in the mid-20th century. It has been referred to as the world’s “most intractable conflict,” with the ongoing Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip reaching 51 years.
Despite a long-term peace process and the general reconciliation of Israel with Egypt and Jordan, Israelis and Palestinians have failed to reach a final peace agreement. The key issues are: mutual recognition, borders, security, water rights, control of Jerusalem, Israeli settlements, Palestinian freedom of movement, and Palestinian right of return.
By Edmund Mingle/adrdaily.com
