African Union says Israel's observer status isn't linked with 'prior processes'

Chairman of the AU commission Moussa Faki Mahamat said the organization’s decision to give Israel an observer status is ‘not linked to any prior process,’ reaffirming the organization’s commitment to the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people.

The AU chief said that the decision was taken on the basis of the recognition of the state of Israel and the normalization of ties with the majority of over two-thirds of AU member states.

Israel attained observer status at the AU on July 22 after years of diplomatic efforts. The Middle Eastern country previously held observer status at the AU’s predecessor, the Organization of African Unity (OUA).

The decision triggered backlash from several AU member-states.
In a press release last month, South Africa expressed its opposition to the “unjust and unwarranted” decision.

Mhamat stressed the AU’s attachment to the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to establish an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in order to reach a definitive peace with Israel. The President also reminded that this is the AU’s position as it was the case for the OUA.

The reservation expressed by certain member-states concerning the decision will be included on the agenda of the next session of the AU executive council, the organization’s head recalled.