Maldives has called upon the international community to take united, practical action rather than merely verbal condemnations against the desecration of the sacred sites of Jerusalem and Baitul Maqdis, and the illegal actions being carried out by Israel.
Speaking at a ministerial-level meeting of Arab and Islamic nations concerning Jerusalem held on the sidelines of the ongoing UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam highlighted that Jerusalem is not only the core of efforts to establish an independent state of Palestine but also a sacred land tied to the hearts of a billion Muslims.
Minister Iruthisham also stated that ensuring the safety and security of Jerusalem is essential for establishing a just and enduring peace.
The Minister urged an immediate halt to Israel's expansion of Jewish settlements in Jerusalem, the eviction of Palestinian families from their homes, and repeated incursions into the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque. She also stated that such actions cannot alter the historical and legal status of Jerusalem.
The Maldives has proposed three main practical priorities on this issue:
- Conducting robust, concerted diplomatic efforts together to protect the right of the Palestinian people to remain on their own land and to freely offer prayers and worship
- Steadily supporting the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian State based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and working to secure full UN membership for the country
- Welcoming the restrictive measures being implemented against Israel's illegal expansion of settlements and land grabs by European nations such as the UK, Canada, France, and Spain, while calling on other countries to join in taking such resolute actions
Noting that the international community has spoken with one voice in defense of Palestine for many years, Iruthisham urged that this solidarity be translated into practical actions and that efforts to deliver results begin immediately.
