Arab League ministers push for action on Gaza

There have been calls for practical help for Gaza after a meeting of the Arab League in Cairo.

Condemning Israel for the airstrikes on the Palestinian territory, ministers called not for military assistance, but humanitarian aid rather than just words.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has invited Arab League head Nabil Elaraby to visit Gaza.

Pledging to support the Palestinians against what he described as “Israeli aggression”, Elaraby also said: “I wonder about the usefulness of the so-called peace process. It has become a process that does not bring peace. I also wonder about the reasons why the Quartet of the US, EU, UN and Russia continue to sponsor a peace process that does nothing.”

Jointly, Turkey and Egypt should be able to bring peace to the region and will continue to cooperate in supporting the Palestinians. That was the message from Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan also commended Egypt’s president Mohammed Morsi for recalling the country’s ambassador to Israel. Egypt’s prime minister Hisham Qandil visited Gaza on Friday.

Protesters supporting the Palestinians and denouncing Israel gathered outside the Arab League meeting – many of them also demanding action rather than words.

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