Chairwoman Activities

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights activist Tawakkol Karman delivered a address during the virtual "Arab Peoples' Summit" organized by the Arab Council via Zoom, characterizing the Israeli occupation's assault on Gaza as a war of genocide and ethnic cleansing,

and calling on Arab presidents and kings to adopt a resolute stance in the forthcoming two-day Arab summit.

Karman, underscoring the gravity of the situation in Gaza, drew a poignant comparison to a degree of extermination not witnessed since World War II, imploring Arab leaders to transcend their differences and collectively exert diplomatic pressure on the Israeli government, urging the immediate cessation of the blockade on Gaza and the establishment of secure humanitarian corridors.

"Arab leaders must take a firm stance to compel the occupation to cease its genocidal actions in Gaza and facilitate the opening of safe corridors for essential humanitarian aid," Karman declared.

Furthermore, Tawakkol Karman appealed to those Arab nations that had pursued normalization with Israel, urging them to reconsider their diplomatic engagements and cease such exchanges.

Herein follows the speech transcript:

I express gratitude to all participants who have joined this conference and concurrent summit, aligning with the forthcoming Arab summit scheduled over the next two days. I extend a warm welcome to everyone in attendance today, expressing my hope that this summit will mark the commencement of ongoing endeavors driven by our shared commitment to humanity, our Arab and Islamic identity.

Let us collaborate wholeheartedly with all the free people worldwide and engage with various popular movements in both our Arab and global communities. Together, let us demonstrate solidarity with our people in Palestine as a whole, and specifically, our brethren in Gaza. The purpose is to call for an immediate cessation to the genocidal war initiated by the Israeli entity, a conflict that has persisted for over a month.

This is a genocidal conflict employing state-of-the-art weaponry with highly destructive capabilities. It is a war of genocide and ethnic cleansing, utilizing internationally banned weapons, including phosphorus bombs and others. This conflict targets women, children, and civilians in residential areas in Gaza, resulting in a staggering toll, surpassing ten thousand martyrs, a multiplied count of wounded, and hundreds of thousands displaced. The aftermath includes the widespread destruction of homes, infrastructure, mosques, schools, hospitals, and more.

This conflict, and as many activists worldwide, including myself, advocate, should be characterized as a genuine war of genocide and ethnic cleansing targeting our people in Gaza. It sends shockwaves throughout the world, presenting a formidable challenge that the global community has not encountered since World War II. This war challenges all our human values, defies international laws, and strikes at the heart of all human rights covenants and treaties.

This war, where civilians are being killed, homes destroyed, and hospitals and ambulances targeted, is a blatant crime broadcasted for the world to witness in real-time. It calls for us all to stand together and rescue our brothers and sisters in Gaza from the grip of siege, death, displacement, and hunger. Fueled by support from the likes of America and other Western nations, Israel's ruthless campaign has a clear goal — the forced displacement of the Palestinian people, achieved through airstrikes, blockades, deprivation, and, even before that, the divisive apartheid wall. The blockade on Gaza, coupled with the denial of essential needs like food and medicine, adds to the unspeakable tragedy faced by our Palestinian people, a situation that words fail to capture.

We hereby address this discourse to the presidents, leaders, and kings of the Arab nations convening at the imminent Arab Summit. Setting aside our entreaties for change and any other considerations, we earnestly implore them to transcend their differences and fulfill their duty in supporting our borthers and sisters in Gaza. We urgently call for a steadfast stance compelling the Israeli occupation to cease the genocidal warfare, immediately lift the blockade, and establish secure humanitarian corridors for the delivery of essential aid, including food and medicine, addressing the pressing humanitarian needs. Gaza, with its two million Palestinian inhabitants, has tragically transformed into a vast prison, underscoring the critical importance of immediate and decisive action.

Arab nations possess substantial capabilities, and the global community stands in solidarity with them. We have witnessed extensive global awareness, significant mobilization, and massive demonstrations in capitals across Europe, North and South America, Asia, and beyond. The collective global rejection of this genocidal war and the imposed siege is a testament to the alliance of peoples worldwide, standing alongside us—the Arab peoples— in the face of this catastrophic and barbaric conflict.

The Arab countries that went ahead with normalization with Israel didn't gain anything substantial in return. Israel hasn't shown a sincere commitment to peace or respecting the rights of the Palestinian people. It consistently disregards international agreements and firmly opposes the two-state solution. As a result, it's unclear what these Arab nations achieved through normalization. Considering the ongoing violence in Gaza, it's not the right time to discuss the benefits of normalization. However, there's a strong demand for Arab countries to uphold their responsibility in safeguarding the Palestinian people, which could involve measures like recalling their ambassadors from Israel.

I would like to remind everyone that the upcoming Arab summit in the next two days will witness strong global support as people from around the world demand an end to this war, as evidenced by the massive demonstrations taking place everywhere. The overwhelming majority of countries have already taken a clear stance on this issue. On October 27, the United Nations General Assembly voted on a crucial resolution, urging a ceasefire in Gaza, the establishment of a lasting humanitarian truce, the protection of civilians from threats and targeting, and the facilitation of humanitarian aid through the opening of corridors.

Nothing short of the Arab countries echoing the stance of the United Nations General Assembly, voicing the same demands, and actively working to rescue Gaza is expected. Such a position would garner significant popular support from our Arab peoples and the global community, earning international respect. It is not only a national duty but a humanitarian and moral imperative. They must take action; otherwise, the destructive arrogance displayed by Israel may reach them if they maintain silence. Our people will not forgive them for this negligence and complicity, and neither the present nor history will pardon them if they remain mere bystanders.

Lastly, it's crucial to highlight that the Palestinian cause is undeniably just, marking a struggle against one of the longest-standing occupations, spanning 75 years, with the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people. This is a genuine pursuit for an independent state, aligning with United Nations resolutions and the cessation of occupation.

I'm not stating anything groundbreaking; the entire world is well-aware of the historical context, understanding the root causes of escalating violence—the enduring Israeli occupation on Palestinian lands and its profound impact on the Palestinian people. Resolving the Palestinian issue requires liberating them from occupation and establishing their independent state. This necessitates the implementation and enforcement of international laws and agreements, especially those advocating for an end to occupation, the return of refugees, the right to Palestinian self-determination, and the establishment of their independent state.

Thank you to all the participants who attended this summit!