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Arab League to Hold a Meeting on Israeli Infiltration into Africa | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Arab leaders attend the 28th Ordinary Summit of the Arab League in the Jordanian city of Sweimeh on March 29, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)


Cairo – The Council of the Arab League is holding an extraordinary meeting on Monday at the level of permanent representatives to discuss how to confront the growing Israeli infiltration into the African continent, and its implications on the Arab national security.

This session is being held upon the request of Palestine.

The participants will focus on the promotion of Arab cooperation with the African Union to renew the Palestinian issue in the African continent. They will also urge African countries not to participate in any Israeli occupation–African conference.

This comes amid preparations by Tel Aviv to organize an African–Israeli occupation summit in Togo in October 2017.

The league warned of the consequences of electing Israel’s permanent UN representative as a Deputy President of the United Nations General Assembly for 2019-2020.

Diplomatic sources reported that the Sec-Gen Ahmed Abu lgheit held series of talks with several Arab and African states warning of Israeli infiltration in Africa.

Israel is trying to ensure African votes in its favor during the vote for a membership at UN General Assembly. Arab diplomatic sources believe this could threaten Arab national security.

Israel being a permanent member could affect the council’s crucial decisions especially on issues like the Palestinian cause, Syrian crisis, situation in Yemen, the case of Libya and other causes of the Arab world.

The source described Israel as an apostate entity founded on occupying other states. He added that Israel is in constant violation of UN resolutions and rules of international law.

According to the source, no sane person can claim that Israel’s candidacy is in accordance with Article 23 of UN Charter which states: “The General Assembly shall elect ten other Members of the United Nations to be non-permanent members of the Security Council, due regard being specially paid, in the first instance to the contribution of Members of the United Nations to the maintenance of international peace and security and to the other purposes of the Organization, and also to equitable geographical distribution.”

Member states should consider enforcing Article 6 of the Charter on Israel which states: “A Member of the United Nations which has persistently violated the Principles contained in the present Charter may be expelled from the Organization by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council,” he declared.

The source pointed out that this is an unprecedented phenomenon, and instead of forcing Israel to abide by the UN resolutions, Tel Aviv is applying for the highest ranking and most important entity in the UN.

Sources close to the matter told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Arab League will discuss several important issues related to the Israeli-African relations and efforts to ensure it doesn’t receive the votes entitling it for a membership in the council.

Some countries even devised a plan which included Arab states’ rejection of Israel’s attempt during its speech at the General Assembly. In addition, Arab countries will rise the issue during their meetings with other leaders and prime ministers.

Arab officials will also discuss the issue openly and frankly with UN Sec-Gen, his successor, and other UN officials.