The Organization of Islamic Cooperation affirmed its rejection of the policies of the Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank, calling on the international community to hold the occupation government accountable and hold accountable for its continued violations, and to provide international protection to the Palestinian people.
This came in the organization's extraordinary virtual meeting held at the level of foreign ministers of member states yesterday, regarding the announcement by the Israeli occupation government of its intention to annex parts of the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967.
At the meeting, the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Youssef Al-Othaimeen, called on the international community to act and condemn the aggression of Israel, pointing out that the Palestinian issue is the central issue of the Organization, explaining that the Israeli unilateral actions are contrary to Resolution 2334.
He said: "We warn against the danger of Israeli violations on the stability of the region," noting that "preserving the rule of international law is a decisive factor in the Palestinian issue."
Al-Uthaymeen renewed the organization's call to the active parties of the international community, especially the Quartet, to engage actively and seriously in sponsoring a multilateral political process within a specific time frame, to implement the vision of a two-state solution based on agreed international references including United Nations resolutions and the Arab peace initiative. Al-Othaimeen emphasized that the OIC absolutely supports the right of the Palestinian people to establish their state. He continued, "We adhere to a Palestinian state with full sovereignty over the borders of 67, with East Jerusalem as its capital."
The Secretary-General stressed that maintaining the rule of international law and respect by all parties for their obligations under international legitimacy resolutions is a critical factor in the success of any international effort to find a political solution to the Palestinian issue.
In turn, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said that "the Israeli government is examining its crimes against our people and is planning to annex parts of the occupied West Bank."
He added, "Israel continues to settle to change the demographic composition," saying: "We will not retreat from the Arab peace initiative."
The meeting was chaired by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, giving the opening speech of the open session in which Al-Uthaymeen and Al-Maliki spoke.
A statement by the General Secretariat said: "Al-Uthaymeen expressed the organization's support for the decisions of the Palestinian leadership in facing the actions of the occupation government, stressing that the implementation of these unilateral measures would undermine the foundations of any political settlement within the framework of the vision of a two-state solution."
He added, "The Secretary-General also valued the positions of countries and international organizations that have announced their rejection and condemnation of Israeli policies."
He warned against the serious repercussions of this step on the security and stability of the region and beyond, calling on the international community to activate political and legal mechanisms that guarantee the accountability and accountability of Israel for its continued violations, and to provide international protection for the Palestinian people.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that his government intends to annex more than 30% of the West Bank area that includes the Jordan Valley and all settlements.
• Maliki: Israel continues to settle to change the demographic composition, and we will not retreat from the Arab peace initiative.