WANA (Feb 27) – The Executive Committee of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), meeting at the level of foreign ministers in an extraordinary session, strongly condemned Israeli settlement expansion and annexation policies in the West Bank and expressed deep concern over recent threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The committee stated that any recourse to force against a sovereign state constitutes a clear violation of international law.

 

The emergency meeting was convened to address what participants described as the “illegal decisions” of Israel to expand settlements and pursue annexation in the occupied West Bank.

 

Speaking on behalf of the OIC Secretary-General, Samir Bakr Dhiab, Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine and Al-Quds Affairs, warned of the “dangerous nature of Israel’s actions targeting the existence of the Palestinian people, their land, and their holy sites.”

 

He reiterated that Israel has no sovereignty over Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, particularly the city of Al-Quds (Jerusalem).

 

Participants also strongly condemned what they described as “recent provocative statements” by Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, as well as the U.S. Embassy’s decision to provide consular services to settlers in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. The committee characterized these actions as “a blatant violation of international law.”

 

The meeting underscored the need to implement the plan proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump and to proceed to its second phase, calling for a full and permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the preservation of the territorial unity of Palestine.

 

In another part of the statement, participants voiced serious concern over escalating tensions and increasingly confrontational rhetoric in the Middle East, including recent threats to use force against the Islamic Republic of Iran and what they described as the provocative deployment of offensive military forces in the region.

 

The statement emphasized that any threat or use of force against a sovereign state represents an explicit breach of international law.

 

Attendees welcomed recent diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States and expressed support for constructive steps aimed at reducing tensions.

 

The committee also expressed appreciation for countries that have helped facilitate the diplomatic process, including Oman, Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

 

In conclusion, the OIC Executive Committee announced that it would pursue all available political and legal measures to confront Israeli policies, including referring the matter to the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, and relevant international courts.