The 1964 Arab League summit was against the background of the 1961 breakup of the United Arab Republic of Egypt and Syria, the continued control of the Gaza Strip by Egypt and the West Bank by Jordan following the 1948 Arab–Israeli War and the recent tensions in the region driven by Israel's proposed diversion of water from Lake Tiberias. The January 1964 summit in Cairo was convened following a statement by Egyptian presidentGamal Abdel Nasser on 23 December 1963: "In order to confront Israel, which challenged us last week when its chief-of-staffstood up and said "we shall divert the water against the will of the Arabs and the Arabs can do what they want", a meeting between Arab kings and Heads of State must take place as soon as possible, regardless of the conflicts and differences between them. Those with whom we are in conflict, we are prepared to meet; those with whom we have a quarrel, we are ready, for the sake of Palestine, to sit with."
Resolutions
The council made a number of resolutions, principally relating to Palestine and Arab unity. These resolutions included statements that the Council:
Was unanimous in defining national objectives for the liberation of Palestine from Zionist colonialism and in committing itself to a plan for joint Arab action both in the present stage for which plans have been made, and in the following stage.
Stressed the necessity of utilizing all Arab potentialities, and the mobilization of their resources and capabilities, in order to counter the challenge of colonialism and Zionism as well as Israel’s continued aggressive policies and its insistence on denying the rights of the Arabs of Palestine to their homeland.
Adopted resolutions for the implementation of Arab plans, especially in the technical and military fields, including embarking on immediate work on projects for the exploitation of the waters of the River Jordan and its tributaries.
Welcomed the establishment of the Palestine Liberation Organization to consolidate the Palestine Entity, and as a vanguard for the collective Arab struggle for the liberation of Palestine. It approved the Organization’s decision to establish a Palestinian Liberation Army and defined the commitments of the member States to assist it in its work.
Expressed its appreciation for the support given by foreign countries to Arab causes in general and the Palestine cause in particular.
Devoted attention to consolidating Arab friendly relations with the emirates of the Persian Gulf area to ensure the indivisible Arab freedom and to realize common interests.
Discussed means of consolidating unified Arab political, defence, economic and social action within the framework of the Arab League.
Placed special emphasis on the promotion of Arab economic co-operation and the implementation of all economic agreements since economic unity is the basic foundation on which Arab power and progress rests and the strongest bastion against foreign challenge. This, in addition to the fact that such unity is the primary objective of contemporary international groupings.
Stressed the necessity of stepping up co-operation and increasing the economic support to the States of the Arab Maghreb.
Agreed to form a joint Arab Council to undertake nuclear research for peaceful uses and to set up an Arab court of justice.
Participants
The participants in the meeting were recorded in a letter to the United Nations as follows:
