Arab League chief says Palestinian issue central to regional stability

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit on Saturday said that resolving the Palestinian issue remains key to stability in the Middle East and stressed the need to address broader sources of regional tension, including Israeli and Iranian policies.

Speaking at a panel titled A Middle East Beyond Zero-Sum Politics during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Aboul Gheit said the region has faced decades of pressure driven by unresolved conflicts and external interventions.

He also warned against attempts to sideline the Palestinian issue in favor of normalization efforts.

“No Arab or Muslim or a just person can accept the injustice that has been inflicted on the Palestinians,” he said.

At the same time, Gheit stressed that regional instability is also linked to the policies of both Israel and Iran, calling for a change in behavior from both sides.

“We are living in a region where everybody is always preparing for confrontation and war,” he said.

Aboul Gheit also raised concerns about nuclear tensions, pointing to risks associated with both Israeli and Iranian capabilities and warning of potential escalation if the issue is not addressed.

He said continued instability is affecting economies and livelihoods across the region, disrupting development and prosperity.

“Without stability, nothing would improve,” he said.