THIRD AFRICA-ARAB SUMMIT
19 - 20 NOVEMBER 2013
KUWAIT CITY, STATE OF KUWAIT
Assembly/Africa-Arab/Comm.1(III)
COMMUNIQUE OF THE THIRD AFRICA-ARAB SUMMIT ON PALESTINE
We, the Heads of State and Government of African and Arab countries meeting, in our Third Joint Summit hosted by the State of Kuwait from 19 to 20 November 2013;
Take Note of the resolutions and declarations of the African Union and the League of Arab States including the 2007 Accra Declaration and Decisions of the 18th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union held in Addis Ababa from 20 to 30 January 2012, as well as the relevant resolutions of the Arab League Summits;
Reaffirm our strong position on the need to put an end to the Israeli occupation, since June 1967, of Palestinian and Arab territories and to establish a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, the principle of land for peace and the roadmap for a just and comprehensive solution to the problem of Palestinian refugees in accordance with Resolution 194 of the United Nations General Assembly;
Stress our continued support for Palestinian efforts to raise the position of the State of Palestine to that of a full-fledged member of the United Nations. In this regard, renew our call to those countries of the world that have not yet recognized the State of Palestine, to do so;
Condemn the continued illegal and illegitimate Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, as the capital of the State of Palestine. Also reiterate that Israel's continued settlement policy contravenes International Law and undermines the two-state solution and prospects for peace.
Reaffirm of the sanctity of Islamic and Christian shrines in Jerusalem and Warn against the serious consequences of such Israeli measures in occupied East Jerusalem; the Judaisation of that Arab city and obliteration of its Islamic and Christian identity as well as denying Muslims and Christians access to their Holy Places of worship, coupled with the repeated attempts to divide the Aqsa Mosque through bills passed by the Israeli Knesset in contravention of all the relevant international norms and resolutions, and decisions of the African Union and League of Arab States;
Demand that Israel unconditionally and immediately release all Palestinian prisoners languishing in Israeli jails. Equally demand that the Israeli government refrain from arbitrary arrests of Palestinians, including children and women, as an act that violates all international laws and norms including the Geneva Convention on the Rights of Women and Children,
Reiterate our rejection and condemnation of the land and sea blockage imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip and Call for the opening of all crossing points to allow free movement of persons and goods while putting a stop to the construction of the annexation and segregationist wall by Israel in occupied Palestine;
Reaffirm our commitment to support negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides based on the Arab Peace Initiative, the two-state solution and the relevant UN resolutions within the 9-month timeframe fixed for these negotiations with effect from 29 July 2013, with a view to establishing the desired peace, ending occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital. Warn against the negative repercussions of the Israeli violations which would undermine the negotiation process.
