By Omar Bah
The Speaker of the Gambian National Assembly, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, has called on Parliamentarians to use their status and influence to advocate for an immediate end to the
ongoing Israel military operation on the Palestinian people in Gaza.
At the ongoing 5th Conference of the League of Parliamentarians for Al Quds in Istanbul, Turkey, Hon. Jatta passionately spoke on the central theme of “Freedom and Independence for Palestine.” He emphasized the significance of the Palestinian struggle as a moral imperative and sacred duty, transcending mere politics. As parliamentarians, Hon. Jatta urged us to advocate for justice, amplify the voices of the oppressed, and challenge the status quo of injustice and oppression. He called for a wholehearted commitment to upholding the principles of freedom, equality, and dignity for all, including the Palestinian people.
Honorable Jatta further assured the conference that the Government of The Gambia remains
resolute in advocating for a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the conflict, which must be grounded in international law, relevant UN resolutions, and the realization of the two-state solution, guaranteeing both states their legitimate rights to full sovereignty and self-determination based on the borders of June 4th, 1967, with Al-Quds Al Shareef as its Capital as indicated in all relevant UN, OIC and AU Resolutions.
Hon. Jatta said the National Assembly of The Gambia is also proud to associate itself with the League of Parliamentarians for Al Quds to reaffirm our unyielding commitment to the noble cause of Palestine. He called on conference participants to recognize themselves as the final bastion of hope for the Palestinian people, champions of justice confronting tyranny, and voices of conscience in a world often deafened by indifference.
Earlier, the President of the Republic of Türkiye opened the conference and urged the parliamentarians to work together to prevent the tragedy in Gaza from being overlooked. He expressed his confidence that with the support of parliamentarians who share his love for Al-Quds, they can move closer towards a more equitable world. The President called for a joint effort to ensure that the plight of Gazan brothers and sisters is not ignored and for increased efforts to hold all perpetrators accountable under the law, including Netanyahu.