Palestinian FM calls on African Union to overturn Israel’s observer status

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki has called on the African Union (AU) to reverse a decision by the pan-African bloc’s decision to grant the occupying Israeli regime observer status at the continental organization, urging the bloc to stand by Palestine and reject a tacit endorsement of present-day colonialism amid Israeli war crimes.

"The attempt by some to support Israel's application for observer status in the African organization has rightly provoked sentiments of shock and rejection by those who wish to see Africa preserve and defend its proud legacy of successfully defeating racist colonialism and oppression," Maliki said in an open letter addressed to the African Union’s Executive Council as the bloc met in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Abbas on Thursday for the 39th session of the executive council.

Maliki urged the AU to listen to African leaders who “vehemently protest attempts to override the African Union's Charter and founding principles as well as circumvent the will of the peoples of the continent by fast-tracking a unilateral decision to grant Israel an observer status at the African Union.”

“Today, I write so that you may hear from the Palestinian people, who have historically and unwaveringly stood on the solid foundation of support to our African sisters and brothers. I write to ask that you stand by Palestine and your peoples' legacy and reject a tacit endorsement of present-day colonialism,” the letter added.

Maliki told the bloc that Israel sees “international law and human rights as impediments and continue to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity have long forfeited any entitlement to have a seat at the African table.”

International advocacy bodies urge African Union to withdraw Israel’s observer status

On July 22, Israel announced it had joined the influential pan-African body, which debates continental issues, as an “observer state.”

Earlier this month, three international advocacy organizations - the UK-based International Centre of Justice for Palestinians, Democracy for the Arab World Now (Dawn) in the US and The Legal Resources Center in South Africa - urged the AU to suspend Israel's observer status, citing its treatment of the Palestinians.

"The well-documented crimes and violations of such an oppressive nature that the human dignity and independence of the Palestinian people is decisively suppressed plainly demonstrates that Israel does not embody the values and ideals that the African Union supports and aspires, and that the AU Commission's decision - made without considering the serious concerns of nearly half its membership - was in error," British lawmaker Crispin Blunt, who also serves as director of the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians, said.

Lawyers, activists complain against African Union granting Israel observer status

A group of international lawyers, researchers and activists have called on the African Union to reverse its decision to grant Israel observer status in the bloc.

Last month, a group of international lawyers, researchers and activists filed a complaint with the African Commission on Human and People's Rights, denouncing the recent decision of the African Union to grant Israel an observer status at the regional bloc, and seeking its revocation.

“This complaint is brought against the decision of the African Union taken at the end of July 2021 granting observer status to Israel,” read a 200-page document petitioning the AU’s decision.

Hamas blasts Israel’s observer status at African Union as ‘shocking, reprehensible’

Hamas condemns Israel’s observer status at the African Union (AU) as “shocking and reprehensible.”

Experts say Israel’s new observer status is largely seen as part of the Tel Aviv regime’s continued effort to normalize ties in Africa.

Several African countries, including Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and Algeria, had already opposed Israel’s accreditation.

They say AU member states were not consulted and the decision is in opposition to the body’s support for the Palestinian cause.

Irish MP demands establishment of independent Palestinian state as viable solution to decades-long conflict

Irish lawmaker Richard Boyd Barrett demands the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Seven predominantly Muslim Arab-speaking countries -- Algeria, Egypt, Comoros, Tunisia, Djibouti, Mauritania, and Libya -- reportedly delivered a verbal protest note to the AU last July.

On July 22, Israel attained observer status at the AU after nearly 20 years of lobbying.

Israel had previously held observer status in the predecessor Organization of African Unity until 2002, when the organization was disbanded and replaced by the AU.

Pro-Palestine language is typically featured in statements delivered at the AU’s annual summits. Palestine already has observer status at the African Union.

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