Cairo: The Arab League asserted that it has remained a steadfast defender of the Palestinian cause, which has garnered unwavering Arab consensus over the decades. However, it warned that Palestine faces its gravest challenge today, threatening its very existence and foundations.
According to Qatar News Agency, in a speech marking the 80th anniversary of the League’s founding on March 22, 1945, Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit said that for eighty years, the Arab League has been a unifying voice for Arabs, accompanying their transition from colonialism to national liberation and supporting the region during the era of global polarization and the Cold War.
He added that eighty years after its establishment, the League continues to serve as a steadfast bond for all who belong to Arab civilization and culture, striving for a shared Arab future. It embodies the unity shaped by Arab geography and common history, reflecting the fervent aspirations of Arab peoples that have endured since the mid-20th century.
Aboul Gheit described the anniversary as a cherished moment for every Arab, symbolizing the continuity and resilience of this institution over time. He emphasized that while honoring the past, the League must look toward a future where Arab identity reinvents itself to align with modern times. He added that Arabism is not a bygone history but a dynamic and evolving idea that embraces diversity and rejects notions of racial superiority or cultural dominance.
In a related statement marking the occasion, the Arab League urged Arab youth to work diligently to carry forward the legacy initiated by their forebears, leveraging technological advancements to transition toward a knowledge-based and digitally transformed society. It also called for integrating youth into decision-making processes and empowering them to actively contribute to development and progress.
The League highlighted that investing in youth education and training is crucial for the future, enabling the establishment of communities capable of achieving sustainable development goals. Such communities, it stated, would bolster an Arab nation confident in its role to advance human civilization and global prosperity.
The League also noted its pivotal historical role since its inception, including efforts to resolve critical issues, support Arab countries’ liberation from colonialism, and unify Arab visions and stances on international platforms. Central to its mission has been the defense of Arab shared interests, particularly the Palestinian cause, which is currently at an unprecedented historical crossroads. This includes the genocide faced by Palestinians, especially in Gaza, with the League working to coordinate member states’ efforts to craft a clear vision and unified stance in support of establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Established in 1945, the Arab League is the world’s oldest regional organization, predating the United Nations. Its founding was a response to the rising call for Arab unity, liberation from colonialism, and addressing the political challenges of the time. The League aims to strengthen relations among member states through coordinated positions and deepened cooperation across various fields.