Arab League backs Iraq's request for emergency meeting over Israeli threats

Arab League backs Iraq's request for emergency meeting over Israeli threats
Arab League backs Iraq's request for emergency meeting over Israeli threats / CC: Iraqi government
By bne Gulf bureau November 22, 2024

The Arab League (AL) has endorsed Iraq's request for an emergency meeting to discuss Israeli threats, with the date to be determined following consultations, Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki announced on November 22, Arabic language Ultrasawt reported.

The Arab League has become increasingly vocal against Israel in its war with Palestinians, Lebanon’s Hezbollah and its repeated strikes on Syria. The request, submitted through the Iraqi Permanent Mission to the Arab League, highlighted Israel's threats in its message to the UN Security Council, where it seeks to “expand its aggressive practices in the region, including Iraq.”

"The General Secretariat received an official request from Iraq to hold an extraordinary session at the permanent delegates level to discuss the UN Security Council memo regarding Israeli claims of increased attacks from Iraqi territory since September," Zaki said.

The request comes after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar sent a letter to the UN Security Council urging pressure on the Iraqi government to stop attacks by so-called Iran-backed Iraqi factions against Israel.

Several member states have supported Iraq's request for the meeting, which will be scheduled following consultations between the General Secretariat and Yemen, the current chair of the Arab League Council, Zaki added.

Iraq's permanent mission to the Arab League filed the request on November 21, stating that Israeli threats, detailed in its letter to the Security Council, seek to expand current aggressive practices in the region to include Iraq.

The development highlights growing regional tensions as Israel warns of potential action against Iraqi territory, which Baghdad views as a threat to escalate the conflict beyond Gaza.

Iraq's government spokesperson Basim Al-Awadi called on "all free nations" to enforce arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

"The Iraqi government values the brave and just position taken by the International Criminal Court in issuing arrest warrants against the Zionist entity's prime minister and former defence minister for war crimes and crimes against humanity against the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples," Al-Awadi said in a statement on Friday.

He described the ICC's decision as "historic" and "justice for the blood of innocent victims and martyrs who have fallen during the criminal war waged by the Zionist entity for more than a year on Gaza and Lebanon."

The Iraqi government spokesperson urged all nations to implement the decision and "hand over the wanted individuals to competent courts to receive their punishment for their flagrant violations against humanity."

The Arab League’s move comes as the International Criminal Court confirmed that it has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on November 21, marking an unprecedented move against sitting Israeli leaders.

Israel rejected the arrest warrant for Netanyahu, considering the charges false and anti-Semitic. The head of government will not give in to pressure and will continue the military operation in the Gaza Strip until all the tasks set are completed, the Prime Minister's Office said.

"Israel indignantly rejects the absurd and false accusations against it by the International Criminal Court, which is a politically motivated and biased body," the statement said.

 

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