Again, AU Backs Palestine On Land Struggle with Israel

The African Union (AU) at its 34th Summit reaffirmed its support for the Palestinian struggle against Israeli occupation. The African leaders condemned Israel’s violence against Palestinians, the construction of illegal settlements and attempt at colonizing East Jerusalem.

In a final statement after its summit on Sunday, the AU stressed the illegality of the Israeli settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Syrian Golan Heights, adding that Israel settlements are violations of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.

It urged its members to regard the legal status of East Jerusalem as the capital of future Palestine and refrain from actions that could undermine the legal status of the city such as moving embassies to Jerusalem. In November, Malawi announced its intention to move its embassy to Jerusalem.

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The summit also highlighted Israel’s military use of lethal, unlawful and excessive force against Palestinian civilians, therefore, calling for the accountability of these unlawful acts, and the actions committed by Israeli settlers in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).

The AU statement stated that as the occupying power, Israel is solely responsible for acts of violence committed against Palestinian civilians and their property.

The black continent promised to work with other international actors to ensure the establishment of a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Reacting to the AU position, Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister, Riyad al-Maliki, welcome the AU’s supports on Israel’s occupation and the Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. Speaking from Ramallah, the Palestinian ambassador to South Africa, Hanan Jarrar, said, “We deeply appreciate African solidarity for the Palestinian cause.”

According to a South African writer, Suraya Dadoo, the AU’s position is a blow to Israel’s efforts to gain observer status at the AU. He said, “For years, Israel has been trying to obtain observer status at the AU so that it can influence Africa’s relationship with Palestine. The ultimate aim is to dissolve African solidarity with Palestine.”