The 34th Arab National Congress was launched in Beirut on Friday with more than 250 Arab figures emphasizing that resistance remains the core means of confronting the Israeli occupation and its expansionist projects in Palestine and the region.

Participants underscored the need to safeguard Arab unity and reject any political, sectarian, or territorial divisions.

Bashour: Resistance as the basis for revival

Ma‘an Bashour, president and founder of the Arab National Forum, said the idea of resistance is the foundation for the nation’s rise, stressing that it is not only a military concept but a political, cultural, and societal framework necessary for reclaiming rights and sovereignty.

Sabahi: Challenge the defeatist mentality

Secretary General of the Arab National Congress (ANC) Hamdeen Sabahi stated that the priority at this stage is to counter the claim that the Arab world has been defeated, saying that “the confrontation required from us today is to refute the propaganda that says the nation has lost."

“We say the nation has won, and the day of the liberation of Palestine is near," he stressed.

Sabahi noted that in the next phase, “the pen, the voice, and the image will play a role as important as the role of the weapon, because the struggle is open.”

He rejected all calls to disarm the Resistance in Palestine and Lebanon, describing the Resistance’s weapons as “the dignity of the nation."

He further argued that the future of the region depends on the direct presence of people in the struggle, adding that Operation Al-Aqsa Flood demonstrated that attempts to divide the region and normalize relations with the Israeli occupation have suffered a major setback.

“The most important lesson we draw from Operation al-Aqsa Flood is that the congress must be at the forefront of this confrontation,” the ANC chief stated, adding that the election of Zohran Mamdani as the Mayor of New York was one of the early signs of shifting global sentiment toward Palestine. 

Al-Hayya: 'Al-Aqsa Flood' restored the centrality of Palestine

Khalil al-Hayya, head of the Hamas movement in Gaza, said, “Al-Aqsa Flood was a response to attempts to erase the Palestinian cause and build a new Middle East,” noting that October 7 marked a historic moment in which the entire Ummah mobilized for Gaza.

He stated, "Indeed, Gaza is wounded today, but it stands tall,” urging continued unity in pursuit of “legitimate national goals.”

"Palestine will continue to stand strong as Gaza has, despite the aggression, with its sea, men, women, and children, and injustice will come to an end," al-Hayya asserted.

Al-Nakhalah: Gaza fought an international coalition

Ziyad al-Nakhalah, Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, said that Gaza confronted “an international coalition led by the United States” and stressed that what is going on in Gaza has gone beyond the ability of the Israeli occupation to control.

He said, “We came out of this battle with our weapons in our hands. All factions of the Resistance stood united against the aggression.”

Furthermore, al-Nakhalah explained that "Trump's plan has set many obstacles and conditions that cannot be implemented, and every clause in it requires a lot of procedures."

The PIJ leader also expressed gratitude to regional supporters “from Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, Egypt, and Qatar” and warned that “what our people face in the West Bank is a real battle that threatens the Palestinian presence there.”

Mezher: Renewing commitment to confronting the Israeli occupation

Deputy Secretary General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Jamil Mezher, called for rejecting “all schemes of guardianship over the Palestinian people and any attempts at demographic change.”

He said the gathering represents a reaffirmation of commitment to resistance, noting that “we meet to renew the pledge against the Israeli enemy and those who ally with it" and that the fighting continues.

"The occupation’s tanks may stand near Damascus today, but we are still fighting it," Mezher added.

The PFLP Deputy SG stressed the need to move “from solidarity to action and from slogans to practical programs.” He urged the Arab League to take the lead in sponsoring comprehensive Palestinian reconciliation and restructuring the Palestinian political arena, affirming that “the challenges today are greater than before, and so are the responsibilities.”

Al-Mousawi: Resistance to shape future

Amar al-Mousawi, head of Hezbollah's Arab and International, said that the movement entered the support front alongside Gaza “out of our belief in the legitimacy and righteousness of this cause, and we are not regretful for our decision.”

He affirmed that the position of the Resistance, which has “paid a high price in sacrifices,” is that no discussion can take place before the Israeli occupation commits to what is required of it, noting that the Lebanese government’s attempts at imposing arms exclusivity stemmed from “Arab and Western interventions.”

Al-Mousawi said that the experiences of past years are clear proof that “the Resistance in Lebanon and Palestine has gone through crises far more difficult than those we face today, and the resistance that produced all the martyred leaders is capable of producing others again.” He stressed that “this Resistance is the one that will shape the future from Palestine to Lebanon.”

The Hezbollah official criticized US President Donald Trump for praising the Israeli occupation forces, saying he “acknowledged partnership with the enemy in all the wars it has waged against the peoples of the region.” Al-Mousawi also highlighted the role of Yemen in supporting Gaza, saying that “what Yemen has done in support of Gaza is a decisive moral obligation upon all of us and upon the Arab and Islamic nations.

He also extended thanks to Latin American governments and peoples, including Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, and others.

Sayyed al-Houthi: Support fronts played central role

Sayyed Abdul-Malik Badreddine al-Houthi, leader of Ansar Allah, stated that “the role of the support fronts was prominent in this important round for two years.” He said that Hezbollah “stood at the forefront of the support fronts with its great steadfastness, leading, influential contribution, and tremendous sacrifices.” He emphasized that the Israeli occupation, in partnership with the United States, seeks to impose a “doctrine of violation” while consistently victim-blaming.

He added that the Israeli occupation is working to strip Lebanon of the weapons that protect it and to dismantle the capabilities that have prevented it from controlling Gaza for two years. He said that those who cooperate with the Israeli occupation “do so without concern for the catastrophic losses this brings upon the region,” noting that the broader colonial plan continues to aim for what is referred to as “Greater Israel".

Regarding the military operations carried out from Yemen in support of Gaza, Sayyed al-Houthi declared that “1,830 operations were conducted, including ballistic and cruise missiles, drones, and naval operations.” He said that “228 enemy-linked vessels were targeted in maritime operations,” which forced the Israeli occupation to close the port of Umm al-Rashrash for two years, inflicting major economic damage.

He added that “in confronting the American aggression supporting the Israeli regime, 22 MQ-9 aircraft were downed,” and that Ansar Allah forces engaged five US aircraft carriers and their naval escorts, forcing them to withdraw.

He said that American and Israeli airstrikes on Yemen have reached nearly 3,000 strikes.