A delegation of Arab and Muslim ministers — all US allies or partners — are in Beijing, on their first stop on a tour pushing for an end to the war in Gaza.
Former Egyptian foreign minister and long-serving Washington ambassador Nabil Fahmy says a “ceasefire is what’s required”.
Mr Fahmy tells Patricia Karvelas on RN Breakfast the bombing in Gaza cannot continue: “What we’ve seen since the beginning of the violence are clear violations of international law.”
“So the Arab League now is implementing a decision by the Arab summit in Riyadh recently, which is to reach out to the Security Council members and try to get it to deal with the violations of international law and establish a ceasefire,” he say.
“It’s obvious that depending only on America, which has said it does not support a ceasefire, is not going to achieve the purpose. So we are reaching out to everybody, including America.”
The US has long supported Israel, but Mr Fahmy says it’s now causing mounting frustration.
“Everybody in the region understood America was a strong supporter of Israel, and it was no surprise America would repeat that support in this case,” he says.
“What was surprising was for an American president to attend the war cabinet – without knowing what’s going to happen next, or that he knew, and was supporting it.
“Consequently, in either case, he’s become part of the process – and is partially responsible for the result.”
He adds America is refusing to acknowledge the idea of collective punishment in Gaza.
“No one can argue with a straight face that this is not collective punishment, that this is not a violation of international humanitarian law,” Mr Fahmy says.
“But America is doing that.
“Its reputation has been damaged very seriously in the region.”
Listen to the full interview here:
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