OIC Condemns Israel's West Bank Annexation Plans in Emergency Session

OIC Condemns Israel's West Bank Annexation Plans in Emergency Session

    Friday, February 27, 2026   No comments

JEDDAH — The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has issued a strong condemnation of Israel's recent moves to designate large swaths of the occupied West Bank as "state property," characterizing the actions as a de facto annexation and a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.

The declaration emerged from an emergency meeting of OIC foreign ministers held at the organization's headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Diplomats from across the Muslim world gathered to formulate a unified response to what they described as escalating Israeli violations in Palestinian territories.

In their final statement, member states declared the Israeli measures "null and void" and called upon the international community, particularly the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council, to uphold their responsibilities in preserving regional stability. The statement emphasized that unilateral actions altering the status of occupied territories undermine the foundations of peace and the rights of the Palestinian people.

The ministers also addressed recent remarks by the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, describing them as provocative and without legal or historical foundation. The OIC reaffirmed that such statements cannot alter the legal status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory nor diminish the fundamental rights of Palestinians or the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states in the region.

Alongside the condemnation of annexation efforts, the OIC called for full implementation of the current ceasefire framework in Gaza, a complete Israeli withdrawal, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid. The statement referenced ongoing international efforts to secure a comprehensive and permanent end to hostilities, noting the urgent need to address the humanitarian catastrophe that has unfolded over more than two years of conflict.

Saudi Arabia, host of the emergency session, reinforced its position through Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed al-Khereiji, who reiterated the Kingdom's rejection of Israeli initiatives in the West Bank. He warned that measures aimed at establishing sovereignty over Palestinian land sabotage prospects for peace and destabilize the broader region.

Israel's Security Cabinet recently adopted a series of decisions altering the administrative and legal landscape in the West Bank. These include removing barriers to land purchases by settlers, expanding state authority to seize areas previously under Palestinian administration, and restructuring local governance in Hebron to establish an Israel-affiliated parallel municipality. Additionally, the Israeli government approved a unilateral land registration process in the occupied territory—a move widely viewed as formalizing the confiscation of Palestinian property under international law.

Under longstanding international legal frameworks, the West Bank, occupied since 1967, is recognized as territory intended for a future Palestinian state. Israel's status as an occupying power prohibits the transfer of its civilian population into occupied areas and forbids alterations to property ownership structures. The OIC statement underscored that recent Israeli policies contravene these core principles.

The emergency gathering concluded with a call for coordinated diplomatic action to halt further escalation and to reinvigorate efforts toward a just and lasting resolution based on international law and mutually agreed parameters. As tensions remain high, the international community faces mounting pressure to translate condemnation into concrete measures that uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of all civilians in the region.

Erdogan: Turkiye has cut off trade and relations with Israel

Erdogan: Turkiye has cut off trade and relations with Israel

    Wednesday, November 13, 2024   No comments

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed on Wednesday that his country "has severed trade and relations with Israel, and will continue to do so in the coming period," adding that it "stands with Palestine until the end."

This came in press statements made by Erdogan after his return from his visits to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, where he participated in the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit, and Azerbaijan, where he attended the summit of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, "COP 29."

Speaking about the war that the Israeli occupation continues to wage on both the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, Erdogan stressed the need to declare an urgent ceasefire and deliver humanitarian aid, without interruption and on a regular basis, adding that "Ankara is working hard to continue to pressure Israel and take measures based on international law."

The Turkish president added that his country "has taken concrete steps in response to Israel's injustice, including stopping trade dealings with it," while stressing that the "People's Alliance," the ruling coalition that includes the Justice and Development Party and the Nationalist Movement Party, "is firm in severing relations with Israel."

In addition, the Turkish president indicated that 52 countries and two international organizations have expressed their support for the initiative launched by Ankara at the United Nations, in order to prevent the supply of weapons and ammunition to the occupation, noting that "a letter regarding this initiative has been delivered to the President of the UN Security Council and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and a decision has been taken at the Riyadh Summit, calling on members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League to sign it."

In this context, Erdogan warned that "Israel will become more aggressive as long as weapons and ammunition continue to flow into it," stressing that "its injustice towards the Palestinians was one of the items on his agenda in all the countries with which he discussed it."

Erdogan expressed his regret for "not seeing a stance against the injustice (practiced by the occupation) from the governments of some Western countries," noting that expecting such a stance "from those who do not protest when they see hospitals and ambulances being bombed would be an illusion."

He continued: "They see this as normal, and are trying to cover up this crime under the guise that Israel has the right to defend itself."

It is noteworthy that the Turkish president warned in his speech during the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit that Benjamin Netanyahu's government in "Israel" is working to "escalate military tension against Iran," while continuing its attacks on Lebanon.

He urged "isolating Israel internationally, unless it ends its aggression, bans the supply of weapons to it, and ends trade with it," calling on everyone to "join South Africa's lawsuit" against the occupation in the International Court of Justice, and "encourage more countries to recognize the State of Palestine."

Israeli Minister responds to Saudi Arabia's push for two-state solution: There will be no Palestine

Israeli Minister responds to Saudi Arabia's push for two-state solution: There will be no Palestine

    Monday, November 11, 2024   No comments

As if to respond to Saudi-Sponsored Summit of supporters of the two-state solition, Israeli minister Smotrich says: I have issued instructions to prepare for extending sovereignty over the West Bank. 

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he had given instructions to prepare for the extension of Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, explaining that he hopes to implement this plan next year.

Aljazeera reported that Reuters quoted Smotrich, who belongs to the far-right Israeli party, as saying that the time had come in the new era of US President Donald Trump to impose Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, and he expressed his hope that Trump would support this move.

The finance minister, an ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, added that 2025 will be the year of sovereignty over the West Bank.

Smotrich has extremist positions on the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, which has prompted European calls for sanctions against him and Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in addition to repeated criticism from Washington, Tel Aviv’s ally.

Saudi Arabia seeking political cover from Muslim states before pushing for the implementation of the two state solution

The extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit kicked off today, Monday, in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, with the attendance of heads of state and leaders.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed in his speech that this summit is "an extension of the previous summit, which discussed the aggression on Gaza and Lebanon," stressing his country's rejection of the Israeli aggression on Iranian territory.

Bin Salman condemned "the military operations targeting Lebanese territory," expressing his rejection of the violation of its sovereignty, and renewing his rejection of the genocide committed by the Israeli occupation in the Gaza Strip.

While the Saudi Crown Prince said that the Kingdom "denounces the aggression and supports the Palestinian people obtaining their full rights," he condemned the occupation's prevention of the UNRWA from providing its services in the occupied Palestinian territories, and its obstruction of the work of humanitarian organizations.

  

OIC: Haniyeh's Assassination Threatens to Push Middle East into Wider Conflict

OIC: Haniyeh's Assassination Threatens to Push Middle East into Wider Conflict

    Wednesday, August 07, 2024   No comments

The rotating presidency of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) confirmed on Wednesday that the "heinous assassination" of the former head of the political bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas, the martyr leader Ismail Haniyeh, "threatens to push the Middle East into a wider conflict."

The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Hussein Ibrahim Taha, said during the opening session of the extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee at the level of foreign ministers of member states, to discuss the ongoing crimes of the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people and its aggression against Iran, that "the heinous assassination only serves to escalate existing tensions that may lead to a wider conflict."

He also stressed that "the sovereignty of nation-states and the integrity of their territories are fundamental principles on which the international system is based."

Israel assassinated Haniyeh in a bombing that targeted the Iranian capital, Tehran, a few days ago, on July 31, 2024. The assassination came during a visit by Haniyeh to Tehran to participate in the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian. The OIC declared that the assassination of Haniyeh constituted aggression against Iran.

The OIC released a Final Statement at the conclusion of the meeitng.

The foreign ministers of Iran and Egypt discuss developments in the region and efforts to stop the genocide in the Gaza Strip

The foreign ministers of Iran and Egypt discuss developments in the region and efforts to stop the genocide in the Gaza Strip

    Saturday, May 04, 2024   No comments

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shoukry and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian affirmed their countries' complete rejection of the Israeli occupation's ground military operations in Rafah.

During their meeting in Gambia, on the sidelines of the Islamic Summit Conference, the two sides discussed the latest developments in the region, especially the situation in Palestine and the Gaza Strip, and the current efforts to stop the crimes of the occupying entity against the Palestinian people, in addition to discussing the latest developments in their efforts to improve bilateral relations.

 In this context, Amir Abdullahian thanked Egypt for its efforts to stop the genocide in the Gaza Strip, reiterated his country’s readiness to send humanitarian aid, and called on Cairo to facilitate matters in this area.

 The Iranian minister also appreciated Egypt's condemnation of the Israeli aggression against the Iranian consulate in Syria. The exchange of delegations between religious institutions in Iran and Egypt was considered beneficial for bilateral relations, based on the agreement of the presidents of the two countries.

 In turn, Shoukry hoped that the ongoing political efforts within the framework of the negotiations would lead to stopping the war and realizing the rights of the Palestinian people, reiterating his condemnation of Israel’s targeting of the Iranian consulate in Syria.

 Shoukry also welcomed the implementation of an agreement between the presidents of Iran and Egypt to exchange delegations between religious institutions, stressing Al-Azhar’s determination to engage in dialogue between sects and strengthen popular and tourism relations.

 He pointed out that his country "attaches great importance to dialogue and continuing contacts with Iran, considering the two countries are great civilizations."

 In conclusion, the two ministers expressed their hope that holding the Islamic Cooperation Summit in Gambia will strengthen the solidarity and unity of the Islamic world in supporting the Palestinian people and resolving the region’s issues and problems.

The meeting was conformed by Egyptian Foriegn Ministry spokesperson who released a statement saying,

Sameh Shoukry meets with his Iranian counterpart, Amir Abdollahian, on the sidelines of the activities of the 15th session of the Islamic Summit Conference...The two sides touched upon the most important topics on the summit’s agenda, most notably the ongoing war in Gaza and ways to end the war and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.

The final statement of the Arab-Islamic Summit calls for breaking the siege on Gaza and bringing in humanitarian aid

The final statement of the Arab-Islamic Summit calls for breaking the siege on Gaza and bringing in humanitarian aid

    Sunday, November 12, 2023   No comments

The draft final statement of the Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, today, Saturday, stressed the necessity of breaking the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, and imposing the immediate entry of humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, and fuel.

The statement called for "the participation of international organizations in the process of introducing aid convoys, and that these organizations must enter the Strip, protect their crews, enable them to fully carry out their role, and support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)."

The statement called on "the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to begin an immediate investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity, which Israel is committing against the Palestinian people in all the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem."

The final statement of the Arab-Islamic Summit condemned “the inhumane crimes and massacres committed by the colonial occupation government,” rejecting “characterizing this retaliatory war as self-defense, or justifying it under any pretext.”

Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi said, in his speech during the joint Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh, that “all our problems can be solved through unity, and we want to take a historic and decisive decision regarding what is happening in the Palestinian territories.”

The Iranian President also affirmed that “the United States is the one commanding and conspiring in this war, and it is the one that encourages the Zionist entity to commit its crimes in Gaza, and it entered the war on the side of Israel, and opens the way for it to oppress the residents of Gaza, and sends shipments of weapons to it.”

Raisi called for an end to the Israeli bombing of civilians and hospitals in Gaza, a comprehensive lifting of the siege on the Strip, and the opening of the Rafah crossing without restrictions or conditions. He stressed the necessity of Islamic countries arming the Palestinian people to confront the Zionist entity, and the importance of boycotting trade with "Israel."

In turn, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stressed in his speech during the joint Arab-Islamic summit that “the only result of the failed peace is that the Israeli entity has become more aggressive, and the Palestinian situation has become more miserable.”

Al-Assad pointed out that "the ongoing criminality cannot be isolated from the way we, as Arab and Islamic countries, deal with repeated events in a fragmented manner regarding the Palestinian issue," stressing that "more Arab meekness equals more Zionist ferocity and massacres against us."

Regarding the Palestinian resistance, Al-Assad said, “The new reality imposed by the valiant resistance in our region has made us possess the political tools that enable us to change the equations.”

It is noteworthy that an “extraordinary joint Arab Islamic summit” was held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, today, Saturday, regarding the “dangerous and unprecedented developments” that Gaza and the Palestinian territories are witnessing.

The summit comes at a time when the Israeli occupation continues its aggression against the Gaza Strip, for the 36th day, targeting hospitals, residential neighborhoods, and all necessities of life, amid a stifling siege that the Strip is suffering from, where there is no water, food, medicine, or fuel.

The aggression resulted in more than 11,078 martyrs, including 4,506 children, 3,027 women, and 678 elderly people, in addition to 27,490 wounded, since last October 7.