Gulf Cooperation Council has affirmed its position for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In a statement at the conclusion of its 57th session in Riyadh, the GCC Ministerial Council condemned Israel's continued construction of settlement units in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Ministerial Council welcomed the Australian government's announcement of its intention to use the term "occupied Palestinian territories" and called on the international community to follow suit by pressuring Israeli authorities to reverse their settlement decisions.