As the African Union (AU) Executive Council meets today in Addis Ababa, Palestine has asked the AU to reverse a recent decision by AU Commission chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, granting Israel observer status at the continental body.
In an open letter to the AU released on Wednesday, Palestinian Foreign Minister, Riad Malki, said that Israel – which has occupied Palestine for more than 50 years – “forfeited any entitlement to have a seat at the African table.” Malki argued that Israel “must be held accountable and exposed, not rewarded and accommodated.”
Israel’s observer status, wrote Malki, contradicted and made a mockery of the foundational principles of the AU, the purposes and principles of its Charter, and AU resolutions on Palestine.
“The withdrawal of Israel’s observer status is a necessary validation of the African Union’s commitment towards its broader anti-colonialism and anti-apartheid political strategy,” appealed Malki.
Palestinian political and civil society is united in supporting Malki’s position.
Hamas recently called on African states to reject Israel’s observer status at the AU.
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement - the largest coalition of Palestinian civil society representing over 170 groups, urged the AU to reject Israel’s observer status.
0 Comment(s)