Morocco’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Omar Hilale, affirmed, before the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), that Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, is committed to any international effort aimed at ending the current crisis in the Middle East.
Intervening at a high-level debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian cause, organized on October 23 by Brazil, which holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council for October, Hilale recalled the holding on October 11 of the extraordinary session of the Arab League (AL) Council at the level of foreign ministers at Morocco’s initiative immediately following the outbreak of recent events.
Hilale added that this meeting culminated in the adoption of resolution 8987, which calls on all parties to exercise restraint, protect civilians, condemn the actions against Palestinians, support their right to their land, and warn against any attempt to displace them outside their territories.
Ambassador Hilale also recalled Morocco’s participation in the “Summit for Peace”, which was held on October 21 in Cairo, noting that the Kingdom had called for an end to bloodshed and military aggression, and stressed the urgent need to protect all civilians, per the principles of international law.
The Moroccan diplomat added that the Kingdom has been stressing the importance of allowing humanitarian aid to reach the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip and rejecting solutions aimed at displacing or deporting Palestinians from their territory and endangering the security of neighboring countries, pointing out that Morocco has been insisting on the importance of launching a genuine peace process within the framework of a two-State solution, in line with internationally agreed standards.
Hilale also recalled that His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist Him, Chairman of Al-Quds Committee, has given His Highest Instructions for the dispatch of emergency humanitarian aid to Palestinians, which includes large quantities of food items, medicine, and water, stressing that this High Royal Decision testifies to His Majesty the King’s unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause.
The diplomat noted that per His Majesty’s instructions, two aircraft left Morocco on the evening of October 23 for El Arich airport in Egypt, loaded with emergency humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people.
In a similar context, Hilale reiterated Morocco’s full solidarity with the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people, based on international legitimacy and the internationally agreed two-state solution, aimed at establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Al-Quds as its capital based on the borders of June 4, 1967, coexisting with Israel in peace and security.
The Moroccan ambassador also emphasized the need to cease all measures undermining the legal and historical status of the city of Al-Quds to promote peace and stability and prevent the political dispute from becoming a religious conflict with serious consequences.
Hilale further added that Al-Quds must remain a symbol of coexistence and a gathering place for followers of the three monotheistic religions, as well as a center of the values of mutual respect and dialogue as stipulated in Al-Quds Appeal signed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of Al-Quds Committee, and His Holiness Pope Francis on March 2, 2019, in Rabat.
In this regard, the diplomat recalled an extract from His Majesty the King’s message to the participants in the High-Level Conference on the Protection and Support of Al-Quds City, held on February 12, 2023, in Cairo, in which the Sovereign stated the following: “Convinced that peace in the Middle East region remains an inescapable strategic option, the Kingdom of Morocco will keep up its efforts and leverage its capabilities and its outstanding relations with all the influential international parties and powers so as to contribute to any international effort aimed at re-launching dialogue and negotiations. That is, indeed, the only way to put an end to the conflict and achieve security, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East region.”