By Janet Ekstract NEW YORK – In a joint statement, Arab, Muslim and African countries condemned Israel’s airstrikes on Iran, calling for an immediate end to hostilities. The statement was initiated by Egypt following consultations between Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his counterparts. The following countries issuing the statement include Türkiye, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Bahrain, Brunei, Chad, Gambia, Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, Egypt and Mauritania. In the statement, the foreign ministers said they consider Israel’s actions a violation of international law and the U.N. Charter while underscoring the need to respect national sovereignty, territorial integrity, good neighborliness and peaceful dispute resolution. The ministers also expressed deep concern regarding the escalation in hostilities and warned of serious consequences for regional security. In addition, their statement emphasized the urgent need for a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction while calling on countries in the region to join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
Israel had also been condemned by several Arab foreign ministers in late May for its decision to block their planned visit to the occupied West Bank. The delegation included ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain who were scheduled to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. They described Israel’s decision as a “violation of Israel’s obligations as an occupying power” and stated that it demonstrated “arrogance of the Israeli government.” Meanwhile, in the statement from the 21 nations, foreign ministers are calling for a comprehensive de-escalation that would ultimately lead to a comprehensive ceasefire. Since June 13, regional tensions began escalating after Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran that included military and nuclear facilities which led Iran to begin retaliatory strikes on cities in Israel that included Haifa and Tel Aviv where some missiles struck civilian areas. The Israeli airstrikes have killed top Iranian politicians, military officials and top nuclear and other scientists while Iran reported at least 224 civilians were killed with over 1,000 wounded in Israeli airstrikes. Additionally, Israeli authorities reported at least 24 people killed and hundreds injured in Iranian missile attacks. Top Iranian officials told the media they are ready to negotiate provided Israel stops its aggression on Iran but Israel has shown no signs or willingness to do so with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly declaring regime change is necessary in Iran.
