Naharnet

Mansour Calls on Arabs to Freeze Contacts with Israel, withdraw Ambassadors

Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour urged on Saturday Arab nations to adopt strict political and economic measures against Israel, in response to the Israeli assault on the Gaza strip.

“The Arab countries must freeze their contacts, withdraw their ambassadors and suspend agreements with Israel,” Mansour said during an Arab Foreign Ministers emergency meeting to discuss situation in Gaza at the headquarter of the Arab League in Cairo.

He pointed out that “the Palestinian people are demanding the Arabs to courageously stand against the assault.”

Israel's harshest Gaza operation in four years began on Wednesday and was followed by fresh Israeli air strikes, as Palestinian militants inside Gaza responded with rocket fire prompting the Arab League to hold an urgent meeting for Foreign Ministers in Cairo.

“Israelis must be prosecuted in international courts for committing war crimes against Palestinians,” Mansour added.

40 Palestinians have been killed and more than 390 injured since the beginning of the attacks, while three Israelis have died and another 18 were injured after Hamas rockets targeted different regions of Israel.

The FM called on “European and international allies” to have a strong stand that condemns explicitly and forbids Israeli attacks on Gaza.”

Mansour also urged Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to submit a bid to the General Assembly for non-state membership of the United Nations later in November.

The move is fiercely opposed by Israel, and Israeli ministers have reportedly already met to discuss potential sanctions against the Palestinians if they proceed with the bid.


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