At the Arab-Islamic Summit in Saudi Arabia, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called for an immediate end to Israeli military operations in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Addressing the summit, convened to discuss the worsening crisis in the Middle East, Tinubu expressed grave concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the devastating impact of ongoing violence on civilians.
He said, “The conflict in Palestine has persisted for far too long, inflicting immeasurable suffering on countless lives.
”As representatives of nations that value justice, dignity, and the sanctity of human life, we have a moral obligation to collectively bring about an immediate end to this conflict.
‘‘It is not enough to issue empty condemnations. The world must work towards an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza, which has persisted for far too long.
“No political aim, no military strategy, and no security concern should come at the expense of so many innocent lives.
‘In a rules-based international order, States have the right of self-defence. But self defence must take proportionality into account, in line with global legal, diplomatic – and moral – frameworks.
”An entire civilian population, their dreams and futures, cannot be dismissed as collateral. ”It is not just a diplomatic article of faith; it is a vision grounded in the principles of equality and mutual recognition.
”Achieving this vision requires a commitment to dialogue and respect for history. We all know this conflict did not begin on October 7 in 2023. It can only be resolved through principled compromise, based on appreciation of the proper context.
”This conflict, in the cradle of history, is so visceral that the ripples of division spread far and quickly. The corrosive impact of the images of endless violence, repeated on a billion smart phones around the world is huge. We need to find new pathways to peace, without delay.
”Our own experiences, domestically and regionally, have taught us that identity politics are no substitute for respecting the nuances of diversity.
He said. ”the path to reconciliation may be fraught with challenges, but it is through honest conversation that we can foster understanding.
”The international community has the opportunity to bring to bear new thinking on this most relentless challenge.
”It is our duty to engage in this dialogue with sincerity and resolve, recognising the complexities that each side faces.”
